Sub­chronic administration of lead alters markers of oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase and Na+K+­ATPase activities in rat brain.

This study investigated the effects of sub­chronic administration of lead (Pb) acetate on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA­RS), total sulfhydryl content, protein carbonyl content, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GSH­Px]), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and Na+K+­ATPase in the cerebral structures of rats. Male Wistar rats aged 60 days were treated with saline (control group) or Pb (treatment group), at various doses, by gavage, once a day for 35 days. The animals were sacrificed twelve hours after the last administration, and the cerebellum, hippocampus and cerebral cortex were removed. The results showed that Pb did not alter the evaluated oxidative stress parameters. Furthermore, Pb (64 and/or 128 mg/kg) altered SOD in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Pb (128 mg/kg) altered CAT in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex and GSH­Px in the cerebral cortex. Also, Pb (64 mg/kg and 128 mg/kg) altered GSH­Px in the cerebellum. Moreover, Pb (128 mg/kg) increased AChE in the hippocampus and decreased Na+K+­ATPase in the cerebellum and hippocampus. In conclusion, sub­chronic exposure to Pb (occupational and environmental intoxication) altered antioxidant enzymes, AChE, and Na+K+­ATPase, contributing to cerebral dysfunction.

Feocromocitoma: relato de caso / Pheochromocytoma: case report

Pheochromocytomas are tumors of chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla that produce, store, metabolize, and secrete catecholamines. Due to increased secretion the patient may present with various symptoms, but elevation of blood pressure is the most common manifestation, and can cause serious complications if not recognized and treated in time. The present report mentions a case of a young male patient who started the picture with severe hypertension, tachycardia and headache, diagnosed with Pheochromocytoma during the investigation of paroxysmal arterial hypertension. It should be noted that early diagnosis, followed by surgical treatment of tumor removal, makes it possible to cure the disease and remission of symptoms.

Os feocromocitomas são tumores das células cromafins da medula adrenal que produzem, armazenam, metabolizam e secretam catecolaminas. Devido à secreção aumentada, o paciente pode apresentar vários sintomas, porém a elevação da pressão arterial é a manifestação mais comum e pode causar sérias complicações se não for reconhecida e tratada a tempo. O presente relato menciona o caso de paciente do sexo masculino, jovem, com início de quadro com hipertensão severa, taquicardia e cefaleia, sendo diagnosticado com feocromocitoma durante a investigação do quadro de hipertensão arterial paroxística. Ressalva-se que o diagnóstico precoce seguido do tratamento cirúrgico de retirada do tumor possibilita a cura da patologia e a remissão dos sintomas.