RESUMO
Muscle injuries are frequent, both in sports and work, and may be caused by stretching, distension, repetitive effort or bruising. Such lesions can lead to the generation of free radicals, triggering oxidative stress and the release of some inflammatory mediators. Therapeutic ultrasound (UST) is one of the most used electrotherapy resources in the physiotherapist's clinical practice. Our aim was to evaluate the use of therapeutic ultrasound on oxidative stress and inflammatory process in an experimental model of single quadriceps muscle injury in Wistar rats. We used a total of 28 male rats, weighing between 250-300 grams, randomly divided into four groups. In the right quadriceps, a simple impact of contusion was induced by means of a press. The animals were submitted to a daily UST treatment for a total of seven consecutive applications for three minutes each, that started 24 hours after the trauma induction. The results in the Trauma + Therapeutic ultrasound group at TBARS levels and in the enzymatic activity of SOD and GPx presented a significant difference. In the histological analysis of the Trauma + Therapeutic ultrasound group presented a reorganization of the fiber's structure and a reduction of the presence of inflammatory infiltrate. In the results of the immunohistochemistry of iNOS, TNF-α and NF-κB in muscle tissue, we observed that the group treated with ultrasound showed a reduction in the expression of the proteins. The use of UST was effective in protecting muscle tissue from oxidative stress, inflammatory process and in the rearrangement of muscle fibers.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Liver diseases are a major public health problem, accounting for a significant number of hospital visits and admissions and an increasing mortality rate. Melatonin (MLT) is a powerful antioxidant molecule that has been shown to be beneficial under various conditions. The objective was to evaluate the effect of MLT on experimental liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. METHODS: Twenty male Wistar rats (230-250 g) were divided into four groups. I: control group (CO); II: CO + MLT; III: CCl4; and IV: CCl4 + MLT. CCl4 was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) as follows: 10 doses every 5 days, 10 doses every 4 days, and 7 doses every 3 days. MLT was administered i.p. at a dose of 20 mg/kg from the 10th week to the end of the experiment (16th week). RESULTS: In the CCl4 + MLT group, we found that MLT caused a decrease in the level of F2-isoprostanes and NQO1 expression. We also found that MLT reduced the inflammatory process as shown by decreased expressions of NF-KB/p65 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and a smaller amount of inflammatory infiltrate. MLT reduced the expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-ß1), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Picrosirius staining showed that MLT decreases fibrosis. CONCLUSION: MLT has a potent antifibrogenic effect, modulating the parameters of oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and inflammation.
RESUMO
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer deaths throughout the world. This study was aimed to analyze oxidative stress and cell damage in a multistage model of liver carcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 145-150 g were divided into three groups: control, precancerous lesions (PL) (which received 100 mg DEN once a week every 6 weeks up to 28 weeks), and advanced HCC (50 mg DEN once/twice per week up to 19 weeks). Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and expression of transforming growth factor-1 beta (TGF)-1ß, endothelial and inducible nitric oxide syntahese (eNOS, iNOS), NADPH quinone oxireductase (NQO)-1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NrF)2, kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap)1 and heat shock protein (HSP)70 were measured. TBARS concentration was augmented in the PL and advanced HCC groups. SOD activity, TGF-1ß and Nrf2 expression were higher in animals with precancerous lesions. In advanced HCC, expression of NQO1 and iNOS increased while there was a decrease in HPS70 expression. Data obtained provide evidence for the differential activation of proteins involved in oxidative stress and cell damage during progression of carcinogenesis in an animal model of HCC.
RESUMO
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of quercetin on oxidative stress and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in an experimental model of portal hypertensive gastropathy induced by partial portal vein ligation (PPVL). Portal pressure was significantly elevated in PPVL rats. Transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities were not significantly modified, indicating absence of liver injury. Histological analysis of gastric sections showed a lost of normal architecture, with edema and vasodilatation. The cytosolic concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and the lipoperoxidation measurement by chemiluminiscence were significantly increased. Superoxide dismutase activity in gastric mucosa was significantly reduced. Portal hypertensive gastropathy induced a marked activation of NF-kappaB, accompanied by a decrease in IkappaB protein levels and a significant induction of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein. Administration of quercetin markedly alleviated histological abnormalities and inhibited oxidative stress and NF-kappaB activation. IkappaB decrease and induction of iNOS protein were partially prevented by quercetin. Quercetin treatment, by abolishing the NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway, may block the production of noxious mediators involved in the pathogenesis of portal hypertensive gastropathy.