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PURPOSE: Various postoperative protocols have been proposed to improve outcomes and accelerate nerve regeneration. Recently, the use of physical exercise in a post-surgical neurorraphy procedure has shown good results when started early. We experimentally investigated the hypothesis that post-operative exercise speeds up results and improves clinical and morphologic parameters. METHODS: Isogenic rats were randomly divided into four groups: 1 SHAM; 2 SHAM submitted to the exercise protocol (EP); 3 Grafting of the sciatic nerve; and 4 Grafting of the sciatic nerve associated with the EP. The EP was based on aerobic activities with a treadmill, with a progressive increase in time and intensity during 6 weeks. The results were evaluated by the sciatic functional index (SFI), morphometric and morphologic analysis of nerve distal to the lesion, and the number of spinal cord motor neurons, positive to the marker Fluoro-Gold (FG), captured retrogradely through neurorraphy. RESULTS: Functional analysis (SFI) did not show a statistical difference between the group grafted with (-50.94) and without exercise (-65.79) after 90 days. The motoneurons count (Spinal cord histology) also showed no diference between these groups (834.5 × 833 respectively). Although functionally there is no difference between these groups, morphometric study showed a greater density (53.62) and larger fibers (7.762) in GRAFT group. When comparing both operated groups with both SHAM groups, all values were much lower. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental model that this aerobic treadmill exercises protocol did not modify nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury and repair with nerve graft.

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Purpose: Various postoperative protocols have been proposed to improve outcomes and accelerate nerve regeneration. Recently, the use of physical exercise in a post-surgical neurorraphy procedure has shown good results when started early. We experimentally investigated the hypothesis that post-operative exercise speeds up results and improves clinical and morphologic parameters. Methods: Isogenic rats were randomly divided into four groups: 1 SHAM; 2 SHAM submitted to the exercise protocol (EP); 3 Grafting of the sciatic nerve; and 4 Grafting of the sciatic nerve associated with the EP. The EP was based on aerobic activities with a treadmill, with a progressive increase in time and intensity during 6 weeks. The results were evaluated by the sciatic functional index (SFI), morphometric and morphologic analysis of nerve distal to the lesion, and the number of spinal cord motor neurons, positive to the marker Fluoro-Gold (FG), captured retrogradely through neurorraphy. Results: Functional analysis (SFI) did not show a statistical difference between the group grafted with (­50.94) and without exercise (-65.79) after 90 days. The motoneurons count (Spinal cord histology) also showed no diference between these groups (834.5 × 833 respectively). Although functionally there is no difference between these groups, morphometric study showed a greater density (53.62) and larger fibers (7.762) in GRAFT group. When comparing both operated groups with both SHAM groups, all values were much lower. Conclusions: The experimental model that this aerobic treadmill exercises protocol did not modify nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury and repair with nerve graft.

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Objective To evaluate the effects of swimming on nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury in Wistar rats. Methods A total of 30 Wistar rats was divided into 3 groups: Sham + Nat group animals that were not submitted to graft surgery and were submitted to swimming ( n = 10); Graft group: animals submitted to autologous sciatic nerve graft ( n = 10); and Graft + Nat group: animals submitted to autologous sciatic nerve graft surgery and to swimming ( n = 10). The results were analyzed on the software (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA, USA). Results In the first evaluation, all sciatic functional index (SFI) values were similar ( p = 0.609). Thirty days after the surgical procedure, we observed differences between all the comparisons: Sham + Nat (-34.64 ± 13.89) versus Graft (-145.9 ± 26.06); Sham + Nat versus Graft + Nat (-89.40 ± 7.501); Graft (-145.9 ± 26.06) versus Graft + Nat (-89.40 ± 7.501). In the measurements (60 and 90 days), there was no statistical difference between the Graft and Graft + Nat groups, with significantly lower values in relation to the control group ( p < 0.001). The number of motor neurons presented differences in the comparisons between the Sham + Nat and Graft groups (647.1 ± 16.42 versus 563.4 ± 8.07; p < 0.05), and between the Sham + Nat and Graft + Nat groups (647.1 ± 16.42 versus 558.8 ± 14.79; p < 0.05). There was no difference between the Graft and Graft + Nat groups. Conclusion Animals submitted to the swimming protocol after the sciatic nerve grafting procedure did not present differences in the SFI values and motor neuron numbers when compared to the control group. Therefore, this type of protocol is not efficient for the rehabilitation of peripheral nerve lesions that require grafting. Therefore, further studies are needed.

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Abstract Objective To evaluate the effects of swimming on nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury in Wistar rats. Methods A total of 30 Wistar rats was divided into 3 groups: Sham + Nat group animals that were not submitted to graft surgery and were submitted to swimming (n = 10); Graft group: animals submitted to autologous sciatic nerve graft (n = 10); and Graft + Nat group: animals submitted to autologous sciatic nerve graft surgery and to swimming (n = 10). The results were analyzed on the software (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA, USA). Results In the first evaluation, all sciatic functional index (SFI) values were similar (p = 0.609). Thirty days after the surgical procedure, we observed differences between all the comparisons: Sham + Nat (−34.64 ± 13.89) versus Graft (−145.9 ± 26.06); Sham + Nat versus Graft + Nat (−89.40 ± 7.501); Graft (−145.9 ± 26.06) versus Graft + Nat (−89.40 ± 7.501). In the measurements (60 and 90 days), there was no statistical difference between the Graft and Graft + Nat groups, with significantly lower values in relation to the control group (p < 0.001). The number of motor neurons presented differences in the comparisons between the Sham + Nat and Graft groups (647.1 ± 16.42 versus 563.4 ± 8.07; p < 0.05), and between the Sham + Nat and Graft + Nat groups (647.1 ± 16.42 versus 558.8 ± 14.79; p < 0.05). There was no difference between the Graft and Graft + Nat groups. Conclusion Animals submitted to the swimming protocol after the sciatic nerve grafting procedure did not present differences in the SFI values and motor neuron numbers when compared to the control group. Therefore, this type of protocol is not efficient for the rehabilitation of peripheral nerve lesions that require grafting. Therefore, further studies are needed.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar os efeitos da natação na regeneração nervosa após a lesão do nervo ciático em ratos Wistar. Métodos Um total de 30 ratos Wistar foram divididos em 3 grupos: grupo Sham + Nat: animais que não foram submetidos à cirurgia de enxerto e foram submetidos à natação (n = 10); grupo Enxerto: animais que foram submetidos à cirurgia de enxerto autólogo de nervo ciático (n = 10); e grupo Enx + Nat: animais submetidos à cirurgia de enxerto autólogo de nervo ciático e à natação (n = 10). Os resultados foram analisados pelo software GraphPad Prism 5.0 (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA, EUA). Resultados Na primeira avaliação, todos os valores do índice funcional do ciático (IFC) foram semelhantes (p = 0.609). Após 30 dias do procedimento cirúrgico, foram observadas diferenças entre todas as comparações: Sham + Nat (−34,64 ± 13,89) versus Enxerto (−145,9 ± 26,06), grupos Sham + Nat versus Enx + Nat (−89,40 ± 7,501), grupos Enxerto (−145,9 ± 26,06) versus Enx + Nat (−89,40 ± 7,501). Nas medidas (60 e 90 dias), não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos Enxerto e Enx + Nat, com valores significativamente menores em relação ao grupo controle (p < 0,001). O número de motoneurônios apresentou diferenças nas comparações entre os grupos Sham + Nat e Enxerto (647,1 ± 16,42 versus 563,4 ± 8,07; p < 0,05) e Sham + Nat e Enx + Nat (647,1 ± 16,42 versus 558,8 ± 14,79; p < 0,05), não havendo diferença entre os grupos Enxerto e Enx + Nat. Conclusão Os animais submetidos ao protocolo de natação após o procedimento de enxerto do nervo ciático não apresentaram diferenças nos valores de IFC e nos números de motoneurônios quando comparados com grupo controle. Portanto, este tipo de protocolo não é eficiente para reabilitação de lesões nervosas periféricas que necessitam de enxerto, sendo necessários novos estudos.

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Studies have confirmed that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used for treatment of several nervous system diseases. However, isolation of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) is an invasive and painful process and the yield is very low. Therefore, there is a need to search for other alterative stem cell sources. Adipose-derived MSCs (ADSCs) have phenotypic and gene expression profiles similar to those of BMSCs. The production of ADSCs is greater than that of BMSCs, and ADSCs proliferate faster than BMSCs. To compare the effects of venous grafts containing BMSCs or ADSCs on sciatic nerve injury, in this study, rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham (only sciatic nerve exposed), Matrigel (MG; sciatic nerve injury + intravenous transplantation of MG vehicle), ADSCs (sciatic nerve injury + intravenous MG containing ADSCs), and BMSCs (sciatic nerve injury + intravenous MG containing BMSCs) groups. Sciatic functional index was calculated to evaluate the function of injured sciatic nerve. Morphologic characteristics of nerves distal to the lesion were observed by toluidine blue staining. Spinal motor neurons labeled with Fluoro-Gold were quantitatively assessed. Compared with sham-operated rats, sciatic functional index was lower, the density of small-diameter fibers was significantly increased, and the number of motor neurons significantly decreased in rats with sciatic nerve injury. Neither ADSCs nor BMSCs significantly improved the sciatic nerve function of rats with sciatic nerve injury, increased fiber density, fiber diameters, axonal diameters, myelin sheath thickness, and G ratios (axonal diameter/fiber diameter ratios) in the sciatic nerve distal to the lesion site. There was no significant difference in the number of spinal motor neurons among ADSCs, BMSCs and MG groups. These results suggest that neither BMSCs nor ADSCs provide satisfactory results for peripheral nerve repair when using MG as the conductor for engraftment.

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To quantify the platelet concentration in the blood of SHR rats, by means of different centrifugation protocols, and to evaluate what the most effective method for obtaining platelets is. METHODS: We used 40 male rats of the isogenic SHR lineage. The animals were divided into three groups: control, using whole blood without centrifugation; single centrifugation, using whole blood subjected to a single centrifugation at 200 × gand 400 × g; and double centrifugation, using whole blood subjected one centrifugation at different rotations, followed by collection of whole plasma subjected to another centrifugation at different rotations: 200 × g+ 200 ×g; 200 × g+ 400 × g; 200 × g+ 800 × g; 400 ×g+ 400 × g; 400 × g+ 800 × g. Samples of 3 ml of blood were drawn from each animal by means of cardiac puncture. The blood was stored in Vacutainer collection tubes containing 3.2% sodium citrate. The blood from the control group animals was analyzed without being subjected to centrifugation. After the blood from the other groups of animals had been subjected to centrifugation, the whole plasma was collected and subjected to platelet counting in the lower third of the sample. RESULTS: We obtained greatest platelet enrichment in the subgroup with two centrifugations comprising 400 × gfor 10 min + 400 ×gfor 10 min, in which the mean platelet concentration was 11.30 times higher than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: It was possible to obtain a high platelet concentration using viable simple techniques, by means of centrifugation of whole blood and use of commonly used materials. The most effective method for obtaining platelet concentrate was found in samples subjected to two centrifugations.

Quantificar a concentração de plaquetas do sangue de ratos SHR, por meio de diferentes protocolos de centrifugação, e avaliar qual o método mais eficaz de obtenção de plaquetas. MÉTODOS: Usamos 40 ratos machos da linhagem isogênica SHR. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: Controle (GCT) - sangue total sem centrifugação; Única Centrifugação (GUC) - sangue total submetido a uma única centrifugação: 200 g e 400 g; Dupla Centrifugação (GDC) - sangue total submetido a uma centrifugação, seguido de coleta do plasma total, e realizado uma centrifugação, em diferentes rotações: 200 g + 200 g; 200 g + 400 g; 200 g + 800 g; 400 g + 400 g; 400 g + 800 g. Foram retirados 3 ml de sangue de cada animal por meio de punção cardíaca. O sangue foi acondicionado em tubo de coleta vacutainer com citrato de sódio 3,2%. O sangue dos animais do grupo controle não foi submetido à centrifugação e foi analisado. Após a centrifugação do sangue dos animais, submetido à centrifugação, o plasma total foi coletado e submetido à contagem de plaquetas no terço inferior da amostra. RESULTADOS: Obtivemos maior enriquecimento de plaquetas no subgrupo de duas centrifugações (400 g por 10 minutos + 400 g por 10 minutos), no qual ocorreu uma concentração média de plaquetas 11,30 vezes superior em relação ao grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível obter uma alta concentração plaquetária, com técnica simples e viável, por meio de centrifugação do sangue total e uso de materiais de uso corriqueiro; e método mais eficaz de obtenção de concentrado de plaquetas ocorreu nas amostras submetidas a duas centrifugações.

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OBJECTIVE: To quantify the platelet concentration in the blood of SHR rats, by means of different centrifugation protocols, and to evaluate what the most effective method for obtaining platelets is. METHODS: We used 40 male rats of the isogenic SHR lineage. The animals were divided into three groups: control, using whole blood without centrifugation; single centrifugation, using whole blood subjected to a single centrifugation at 200 × g and 400 × g; and double centrifugation, using whole blood subjected one centrifugation at different rotations, followed by collection of whole plasma subjected to another centrifugation at different rotations: 200 × g + 200 × g; 200 × g + 400 × g; 200 × g + 800 × g; 400 × g + 400 × g; 400 × g + 800 × g. Samples of 3 ml of blood were drawn from each animal by means of cardiac puncture. The blood was stored in Vacutainer collection tubes containing 3.2% sodium citrate. The blood from the control group animals was analyzed without being subjected to centrifugation. After the blood from the other groups of animals had been subjected to centrifugation, the whole plasma was collected and subjected to platelet counting in the lower third of the sample. RESULTS: We obtained greatest platelet enrichment in the subgroup with two centrifugations comprising 400 × g for 10 min + 400 × g for 10 min, in which the mean platelet concentration was 11.30 times higher than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: It was possible to obtain a high platelet concentration using viable simple techniques, by means of centrifugation of whole blood and use of commonly used materials. The most effective method for obtaining platelet concentrate was found in samples subjected to two centrifugations.

OBJETIVO: Quantificar a concentração de plaquetas do sangue de ratos SHR, por meio de diferentes protocolos de centrifugação, e avaliar qual o método mais eficaz de obtenção de plaquetas. MÉTODOS: Usamos 40 ratos machos da linhagem isogênica SHR. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: Controle (GCT) - sangue total sem centrifugação; Única Centrifugação (GUC) - sangue total submetido a uma única centrifugação: 200 g e 400 g; Dupla Centrifugação (GDC) - sangue total submetido a uma centrifugação, seguido de coleta do plasma total, e realizado uma centrifugação, em diferentes rotações: 200 g + 200 g; 200 g + 400 g; 200 g + 800 g; 400 g + 400 g; 400 g + 800 g. Foram retirados 3 ml de sangue de cada animal por meio de punção cardíaca. O sangue foi acondicionado em tubo de coleta vacutainer com citrato de sódio 3,2%. O sangue dos animais do grupo controle não foi submetido à centrifugação e foi analisado. Após a centrifugação do sangue dos animais, submetido à centrifugação, o plasma total foi coletado e submetido à contagem de plaquetas no terço inferior da amostra. RESULTADOS: Obtivemos maior enriquecimento de plaquetas no subgrupo de duas centrifugações (400 g por 10 minutos + 400 g por 10 minutos), no qual ocorreu uma concentração média de plaquetas 11,30 vezes superior em relação ao grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível obter uma alta concentração plaquetária, com técnica simples e viável, por meio de centrifugação do sangue total e uso de materiais de uso corriqueiro; e método mais eficaz de obtenção de concentrado de plaquetas ocorreu nas amostras submetidas a duas centrifugações.

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BACKGROUND: In nerve injury with nervous gap, no restitution method was found better than the autograft, however, it has the disadvantage of damaging a normal nerve to be used as a graft. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a possible filler material for vein grafts used as conduits for nerve regeneration, preventing its collapse, and providing growth factors and osteoconductive proteins. METHODS: Isogenic rats were randomly divided into three groups. They received nerve autografts (GRF), PRP-containing vein grafts or a sham operation. Outcomes were evaluated by the sciatic functional index (SFI), morphometric, and morphologic analyses of the nerve distal to the lesion, and the number of spinal cord motoneurons positive for retrograde Fluoro-Gold (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., Dallas, TX) tracer. RESULTS: The PRP and GRF groups had lower SFI values than the control animals throughout the postoperative period. The SFI was significantly higher in the PRP group than the GRF group at 90 days postoperatively (p = 0.011). Fiber diameter and number of motoneurons were significantly decreased in both the PRP and GRF groups, as compared with the control. CONCLUSION: PRP within a vein conduit may be an effective alternative or adjuvant to GRF, the current preferred treatment for nerve injury with a nerve gap, and further investigations are required to fully define the role of PRP in nerve regeneration.

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OBJECTIVE: This study compared nerve regeneration in Wistar rats, using epineural neurorrhaphy with a gap of 1.0 mm and without a gap, both wrapped with jugular vein tubes. Motor neurons in the spinal cord between L3 and S1 were used for the count, marked by exposure of the tibial nerve to Fluoro-Gold (FG). METHOD: The tibial nerves on both sides were cut and sutured, with a gap on one side and no gap in the other. The sutures were wrapped with a jugular vein. Four months after surgery the tibial nerves were exposed to Fluoro-Gold and the motor neuron count performed in the spinal cord. RESULTS: The results were statistically analyzed by the paired Wilcoxon test. There was a statistical difference between the groups with and without gap in relation to the motor neuron count (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: The epineural neurorraphy without gap wrapped with jugular vein showed better results for nerve regeneration than the same procedure with gap. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Experimental Study .

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OBJETIVO: O presente estudo comparou, em ratos da raça Wistar, a regeneração nervosa nas suturas epineurais com espaçamento de 1,0mm (com "gap") e sem espaçamento (sem "gap"), ambos cobertos com tubo de veia jugular externa, através da contagem de motoneurônios no nível da medula espinhal entre L3 e S1, marcados por meio de exposição do nervo tibial ao Fluoro - Goldâ (FG). MÉTODO: Os nervos tibias de ambos os lados foram seccionados e foram realizadas suturas epineurais com "gap" e, no lado contralateral, sem "gap" sendo que as suturas foram cobertas com tubo de veia. Após quatro meses do procedimento cirúrgico, os nervos tibias foram expostos ao FG, perfundidos e realizada a contagem dos motoneurônios na medula espinhal. RESULTADOS: Para a análise estatística foi utilizado o teste de Wilcoxon pareado, onde obtivemos um resultado estatisticamente significante entre o número de motoneurônios do grupo com "gap" em relação ao sem "gap" (p= 0,013). CONCLUSÃO: Obtivemos melhores resultados na contagem de motoneurônios daqueles nervos onde haviam sido realizadas as suturas primárias sem "gap", quando comparados com as suturas com "gap". Nível de Evidência: Estudo Experimental.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared nerve regeneration in Wistar rats, using epineural neurorrhaphy with a gap of 1.0 mm and without a gap, both wrapped with jugular vein tubes. Motor neurons in the spinal cord between L3 and S1 were used for the count, marked by exposure of the tibial nerve to Fluoro-Gold (FG). METHOD: The tibial nerves on both sides were cut and sutured, with a gap on one side and no gap in the other. The sutures were wrapped with a jugular vein. Four months after surgery the tibial nerves were exposed to Fluoro-Gold and the motor neuron count performed in the spinal cord. RESULTS: The results were statistically analyzed by the paired Wilcoxon test. There was a statistical difference between the groups with and without gap in relation to the motor neuron count (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: The epineural neurorraphy without gap wrapped with jugular vein showed better results for nerve regeneration than the same procedure with gap. Level of Evidence: Experimental Study.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) on the pilocarpine-induced epilepsy in rats. STUDY DESIGN: 40 female rats were divided into: GPC (positive control) presented "status epilepticus" (SE) induced by pilocarpine; GOC (ovariectomized control) only castrated; GNC (negative control) received only saline solution; GPE received pilocarpine, presented SE, castrated and received 50microg/kg CEE treatment; GPV received pilocarpine, castrated and received propylene glycol (vehicle). The animals were monitored by a video system. At the end of observation, the brains removed for later histologic analysis using Neo-Timm and Nissl methods. RESULTS: The GPE presented a reduction in number of seizures compared to GPV. The Neo-Timm analysis showed that GPV had greater sprouting of mossy fibers, with a denser band in the area of the dentate gyrus hilum compared to GPE. On Nissl staining, GPE showed evident neuronal loss in the CA3 area. GPV presented loss in CA1 and dentate gyrus. CONCLUSION: Estrogen may have a protecting effect on the central nervous system.

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The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of nerve autografts (GRF) and venous grafts containing mononuclear bone marrow cells (BMCs) in sciatic nerve-lesioned rats. Control animals underwent sham operations (SHAM), received empty venous grafts (EPV), or received venous grafts containing BMC vehicle (AGR). Outcome was evaluated through sciatic functional index (SFI), morphometric and morphologic analyses of the nerve distal to the lesion, and the number of spinal cord motor neurons positive for the retrograde tracer, Fluoro-Gold. All groups exhibited poor results in SFI when compared to SHAM animals throughout the postoperative period. All groups also had a significantly greater fiber density, decreased fiber diameter, and decreased motor neuron number than the SHAM group. No significant difference between the GRF and BMC groups was observed in any of these parameters. On the other hand, vessel density was significantly higher in BMC than all other groups. BMC-containing venous grafts are superior to nerve autografts in increasing vessel density during sciatic nerve regeneration.

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Este trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo da regeneração nervosa através da contagem de neurônios comparando duas técnicas cirúrgicas no tratamento da perda de substância nervosa nos membros inferiores em 15 ratos. Inicialmente obteve-se tubo de veia de 12mm de comprimento retirado da jugular externa esquerda. A seguir, opera-se os dois membros inferiores, expondo o nervo tibial de cada lado e ressecando um segmento de 8 mm do nervo, simulando, ao mesmo tempo, a perda de substância e a obtenção do enxerto nervoso autógeno. A reparação da perda de substância do lado esquerdo consistiu numa enxertia convencional simples para a reparação de lesão nervosa por meio de sutura microcirúrgica. A do membro inferior direito foi pela tubulização com 8 mm de enxerto de músculo quadríceps denaturado com nitrogênio líquido coberto com veia jugular. Após quatro meses, os animais foram submetidos à nova cirurgia para exposição dos nervos tibiais ao marcador neuronal Fluoro Gold®. Após 48 horas, foram perfundidos e o segmento medular entre L3 e S1 foi removido e posteriormente cortado em secções de 40 æm. Houve contagem neuronal de todos os cortes e não foram verificadas diferenças estatísticas entre as duas técnicas cirúrgicas.

The purpose of this work was to study nervous regeneration through neurons counts by comparing two surgical techniques for addressing nervous gaps on 15 rats' lower limbs. Initially, a 12-mm long vein tube from the left outer jugular was obtained, and then both lower limbs are operated, exposing the tibial nerve at each side and performing a resection of an 8-mm nerve segment, at the same time simulating a gap and an autogenous nerve graft. Left gap repair consisted of a usual conventional graft for nervous injury repair by means of microsurgical suture. The gap repair on right lower limbs was made through quadriceps muscle, treated with liquid nitrogen, covered with an 8-mm tube of jugular vein. After four months, the animals were submitted to a new surgery for exposing tibial nerves to the Fluoro-Gold® neuronal marker. After 48 hours, the rats were perfused and medullar segment between L3 and S1 was removed and subsequently cut into 40æm sections. Neurons on all sections were counted, and no statistical differences were found between both surgical techniques.

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OBJECTIVE: To better clarify the positive effects of physical exercise in the epilepsy, we analyzed the effect of the pinealectomy in animals with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) induced by pilocarpine submitted to an aerobic physical program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty adults Wistar rats were used: 1) PX + CHRONIC - Pinealectomized animals (PX) with TLE (CHRONIC) without exercise (n = 9); 2) PX + CHRONIC + EXERCISE - submitted to an aerobic physical exercise program (n = 5); 3) CHRONIC - without exercise (n = 8); 4) CHRONIC + EXERCISE (n = 8); 5) CTRL - control without exercise (n = 5); 6) CTRL + EXERCISE (n = 5). The physical exercise program consisted of 1 hour of treadmill, 5 days/week, during 30 days, at 60 percent VO2max. The Nissl and neo-Timm methods were used. RESULTS: The pinealectomy increased the frequency of seizures in animals with epilepsy. It was observed a reduction of the neuronal death and mossy fiber sprouting in the animals with epilepsy submitted to an aerobic physical exercise program. However, the physical exercise program did not modify the frequency of the seizures in the pinealectomized animals.

OBJETIVO: Buscando elucidar os efeitos positivos do exercício físico aeróbio na epilepsia, analisamos a influên-cia da pinealectomia em animais com epilepsia do lobo temporal (ELT) induzida por pilocarpina e submetidos a um programa de exercício físico. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Quarenta ratos Wistar adultos foram usados: 1) PX + CRÕNICO - pinealectomizados (PX) com ELT (CRÕNICO) sem exercício (n = 9); 2) PX + CRÕNICO + EXERCíCIO - submetidos a um programa de exercício físico aeróbio (n = 5); 3) CRÕNICO - sem exercício (n = 8); 4) CRÕNICO + EXERCíCIO (n = 8); 5) CTRL - controle sem epilepsia, sem exercício (n = 5); 6) CTRL + EXERCíCIO (n = 5). O programa de exercício físico consistiu de corrida em esteira, 5 dias/semana (30 dias) a 60 por cento VO2max. Os métodos de Nissl e neo-Timm foram utilizados. RESULTADOS: A pinealectomia aumentou a freqüência de crises em animais com epilepsia. Foi observada uma diminuição da morte neuronal e do brotamento de fibras musgosas em animais com epilepsia, submetidos ao programa de exercício físico. Entretanto, este programa não alterou a freqüência de crises em animais pinealectomizados.

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The aim of the present work was to analyze the effects of pinealectomy in the development of the epilepsy model induced by pilocarpine in adult male rats. Group I: Wistar male adult rats were submitted to pinealectomy, and 7 days after surgery, these animals received pilocarpine (350 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce three distinct behavioral phases: status epilepticus, seizure-free, and chronic phases. This late, as well as all control groups were continuously video-recorded for 60 days, to study behavior parameters. These animals were killed and the brain sections were processed for Nissl and neo-Timm. Group II: Another group, also submitted to pinealectomy, received several injections of melatonin (2.5 mg/kg): 20 min before, concomitantly with pilocarpine, 30 min, 1 h, and 2 h after pilocarpine administration. Some animals from group I and all from group II were sacrificed 48 h following status epilepticus onset to perform TUNEL assay. The latency for status epilepticus onset, status epilepticus length as well as mortality rate during status epilepticus were similar for pinealectomized and control groups. On the other hand, pinealectomized rats presented minor duration of the silent period, a higher number of spontaneous seizures during the chronic phase, increased number of TUNEL-positive cells (acute phase), increased neuronal loss, and marked supragranullar mossy fibers sprouting (chronic phase) in the hippocampal formation, when compared with control groups. Our data show that the pinealectomy facilitates the epileptogenic process that follows the long-lasting status epilepticus. This facilitation can be partially reverted by the simultaneous administration of melatonin.

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0 modelo experimental de epilepsia, induzido por pilocarpina, em fêmeas inicialmente descrito por Amado e cols., (1993). Após esses achados, vários estudos continuaram a ser efetuados na tentativa de se obter um conhecimento maior do envolvimento hormonal no fenômeno epileptogênico. Nesse sentido, este trabalho teve como objetivo, estudar a função dos hormônios sexuais no modelo de epilepsia induzido por pilocarpina, em ratas castradas. Utilizamos como grupo de estudos: (a) animais controles (estro, metaestro, diestro, proestro e castradas), (b) animais experimentais, que receberam pilocar pina e foram estudados na fase crônica do modelo (intacta crônica e castrada crônica) e (c) animais castrados, que na fase crônica do modelo foram submetidas à terapia de reposição hormonal (castrada crônica tratada com acetato de medroxiprogesterona, castrada crônica tratada com 17beta-estradiol e castrada crônica tratada com acetato de medroxiprogesterona + 17beta-estradiol. Pudemos verificar que todos os animais castrados tiveram atrofia genital após 4 dias do procedimento cirúrgico. Além disso, todos os animais que receberam pilocarpina apresentaram crises espontâneas e recorrentes na fase crônica. O estudo da distribuição hipocampal de parvalbumina mostrou que a marcação para esta proteína sofre flutuações durante as fases ao ciclo estral e apresenta maior marcação no grupo de ratas castradas que receberam acetato de medoxiprogesterona + 17beta-estradiol. Em relação à freqüência de crises o melhor tratamento após a castração foi aquele onde houve reposição de acetato de medoxiprogesterona + 17beta-estradiol. Entretanto, animais que receberam a reposição somente com acetato de medoxiprogesterona também tiveram redução do número de crises. Além disso, o tratamento hormonal também foi capaz de estabilizar o brotamento supragranular de fibras musgosas, mostrando a importância desses hormônios no desenvolvimento da epilepsia em fêmeas

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Os autores estudaram em ratos a regeneração nervosa no enxertos nervoso tradicional, comparando - os com grupo controle, através da contagem no nível da medula espinhal, entre L3 e S1, de motoneurônios marcados por meio de exposição do nervo tibial ao Fluoro - Gold (FG). No grupo controle, ambos os nervos tibiais foram expostos ao FG, e em 48 horas, após a perfusão, os motoneurônios foram contados. No grupo experimental, foi ressecado um segmento de 8mm do nervo tibial criando uma falha segmentar. O segmento de nervo de um foi usado para reparar o lado contralateral, utilizando sutura epineural. Após quatro meses, o nervo tibial direito foi exposto ao FG após o enxerto nervoso e, o esquerdo, antes do enxerto. Os motoneurônios foram contados após a perfusão. Ambas as medulas foram cortadas em segmentos de 40mm. Para a análise estatística foram utilizados testes de Wilcoxon e Student. O grupo controle apresentou um significativo aumento de motoneurônios quando comparado ao experimental. No grupo experimental, o número de motoneurônios foi significantemente maior, quando a exposição do nervo tibial ao FG era feita distalmente ao enxerto nervoso. O enxerto nervoso funciona como um bloqueio parcial para a migração dos axônios em regeneração

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