RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Allergic diseases have become an increasingly common reality in the last years, extending beyond the family context. OBJECTIVE: Assessing the level of knowledge on asthma, food allergies and anaphylaxis of asthmatic children's parents/caregivers (PC), elementary school teachers (EST) and university students (US) in Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil. METHOD: 577 individuals (PC - N=111; EST - N=177; US - N=299) took part in the study, answering the Newcastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (validated for Portuguese) and another questionnaire on Food Allergy (FA) and anaphylaxis. RESULTS: Although PC have asthmatic children, their asthma knowledge level was average, slightly above that of EST and EU. The lack of knowledge on passive smoking, use of medications and their side effects should be highlighted. US have shown to be better informed about FA and anaphylaxis. However, even though a significant proportion of respondents know the most common symptoms of FA and anaphylaxis, few named subcutaneous adrenaline as the drug of choice for treating anaphylaxis. Although a significant number of respondents know about the possibility of anaphylactic reactions happening at school or in activities outside the school, we were surprised by the absence of conditions in schools to provide emergency care to such students. CONCLUSION: Despite the high prevalence of allergic diseases in childhood, asthmatic children's parents/caregivers, elementary school teachers and university students have inadequate levels of knowledge to monitor these patients.
Assuntos
Anafilaxia , Asma , Hipersensibilidade Alimentar , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Cuidadores , Criança , Humanos , Pais , Professores Escolares , Estudantes , Universidades , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Because enriched environment (EE) and exercise increase and aging decreases immune response, we hypothesized that environmental enrichment and aging will, respectively, delay and increase prion disease progression. Mice dorsal striatum received bilateral stereotaxic intracerebral injections of normal or ME7 prion infected mouse brain homogenates. After behavior analysis, animals were euthanized and their brains processed for astrocyte GFAP immunolabeling. Our analysis related to the environmental influence are limited to young adult mice, whereas age influence refers to aged mice raised on standard cages. Burrowing activity began to reduce in ME7-SE two weeks before ME7-EE, while no changes were apparent in ME7 aged mice (ME7-A). Object placement recognition was impaired in ME7-SE, NBH-A, and ME7-A but normal in all other groups. Object identity recognition was impaired in ME7-A. Cluster analysis revealed two morphological families of astrocytes in NBH-SE animals, three in NBH-A and ME7-A, and four in NBH-EE, ME7-SE, and ME7-EE. As compared with control groups, astrocytes from DG and CA3 prion-diseased animals show significant numerical and morphological differences and environmental enrichment did not reverse these changes but induced different morphological changes in GFAP+ hippocampal astroglia. We suggest that environmental enrichment and aging delayed hippocampal-dependent behavioral and neuropathological signs of disease progression.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento/fisiologia , Astrócitos/patologia , Comportamento Animal , Encéfalo/patologia , Meio Ambiente , Hipocampo/patologia , Doenças Priônicas/patologia , Doenças Priônicas/psicologia , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Progressão da Doença , Técnicas Imunoenzimáticas , Masculino , CamundongosRESUMO
UNLABELLED: Evidence suggests that creatine may have some beneficial effects on bone. The study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise alone or combined with creatine on bone health in ovariectomized rats. Findings show that exercise, but not creatine, has an important role in improving bone health. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise training alone or combined with creatine supplementation on bone health parameters in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly allocated into one of five groups: (i) sham-operated, (ii) ovariectomized non-trained placebo-supplemented, (iii) ovariectomized non-trained creatine-supplemented, (iv) ovariectomized exercise-trained placebo-supplemented, and (v) ovariectomized exercise-trained creatine-supplemented. Downhill running training and/or creatine supplementation (300 mg/kg body weight) were administered for 12 weeks. Bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and biomechanical and histomorphometric parameters were assessed. RESULTS: No interaction effects were observed for BMC and BMD at whole body, femur, and lumbar spine (p > 0.05). Importantly, a main effect of training was detected for whole body BMC and BMD (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively), femoral BMC and BMD (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively), and lumbar spine BMC and BMD (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), suggesting that the trained animals had higher bone mass, irrespective of creatine supplementation. Main effects of training were also observed for maximal load (p < 0.001), stiffness (p < 0.001), and toughness (p = 0.046), indicating beneficial effects of exercise training on bone strength. Neither a main effect of supplementation nor an interaction effect was detected for biomechanical parameters (p > 0.05). No main or interaction effects were observed for any of the histomorphometric parameters evaluated (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training, but not creatine supplementation, attenuated ovariectomy-induced bone loss in this rat model.
Assuntos
Densidade Óssea/fisiologia , Creatina/uso terapêutico , Suplementos Nutricionais , Osteoporose/prevenção & controle , Condicionamento Físico Animal , Absorciometria de Fóton/métodos , Animais , Peso Corporal/fisiologia , Terapia Combinada , Feminino , Fêmur/fisiopatologia , Vértebras Lombares/fisiopatologia , Osteoporose/fisiopatologia , Ovariectomia , Distribuição Aleatória , Ratos WistarRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Normal values of the esophageal motor function parameters for high-resolution manometry (HRM-EPT) adopted by the Chicago classification were established using the proprietary system of Given Imaging. It is conceivable that normal values of a system do not apply to data from others. Most studies using HRM were based on supine swallows, whereas deglutition occurs mostly in the upright position. We wished to establish normal values for HRM-EPT parameters obtained with the Sandhill's HRM-EPT system and compare the results in supine and sitting positions. METHODS: Sixty-nine healthy volunteers, 38 females, median age 27 years, were included in this study. All underwent supine HRM, and 34 of them underwent sitting HRM, with at least 10 single 5-mL swallows for analysis obtained in each position. KEY RESULTS: The normal range (5-95th percentiles) for the following parameters was calculated: distal contractile integral (DCI), 606-4998 mmHg·s·cm; contractile front velocity (CFV), 2.0-6.5 cm/s; distal latency (DL), 5.1-8.8 s; intrabolus pressure (IBP), 1.9-17.6 mmHg; upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure, 45.2-186.9 mmHg; esophagogastric junction (EGJ) length, 1.8-4 cm; EGJ resting pressure, 8.1-61.6 mmHg, and integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) 2.5-23.5 mmHg. Normal values of EGJ resting pressure, IRP, DCI, and IBP but not CFV, DL, and UES resting pressure were significantly lower in the sitting posture. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Studies performed with Sandhill's HRM-EPT system should use its own specific normal data. Normal values should be established for different study.
Assuntos
Esôfago/fisiologia , Interpretação de Imagem Assistida por Computador/métodos , Manometria/instrumentação , Postura , Adulto , Idoso , Deglutição , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Peristaltismo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Dentofacial deformities and their treatment have physical and psychological repercussions on quality of life (QOL). Seventy-four patients were evaluated preoperatively (T0) and at 4-6 months postoperatively (T1). Oral health-related QOL was assessed using the short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). There was a statistically significant reduction in the average overall OHIP-14 score between T0 (13.23±6.45) and T1 (3.26±4.19). In addition, there were significant decreases in all seven OHIP-14 domains. Class III patients benefited in all domains evaluated, while a significant improvement was seen only in the psychological disability domain for class I patients. Class II patients showed a significant benefit in all domains except the domain of functional limitation. With regard to the total sample (n=74) and class III patients (n=58), correlations between domains were identified for all domains. The same correlation was not identified for class I (n=5) and II (n=11) patients. The entire sample and class III patients showed significant improvements in OHIP-14 scores for all degrees of postoperative sensory disturbance in the upper and lower lips, except for patients with degree 5 (extreme) disturbance of the upper lip. Orthognathic surgical treatment had a positive impact on oral health-related QOL in the patients evaluated.
Assuntos
Deformidades Dentofaciais/psicologia , Saúde Bucal , Qualidade de Vida , Perfil de Impacto da Doença , Adolescente , Adulto , Deformidades Dentofaciais/terapia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
The aim of the present study was to evaluate local and cytotoxicity systemic tissue reaction in the skull of rats using the implantation of disks of poly (lactic L/D-acid) and evaluate its genotoxicity. 25 males Wistar rats were used, 20 animals underwent surgical procedures and had the discs implanted in the parietal bone, and 5 animals received postoperative medication in the same way, serving as a control group for genotoxicity. The results were subjected to statistical evaluation by analysis of variance (ANOVA). In histological evaluation, between periods of 90 and 120 days in the control group, a new formation at the edges of the defect was noticed. In the experimental group, there was new bone formation at the edges of the defect, migrating below the site occupied by the disk, an absence of inflammatory infiltrate. Regarding the evaluation of genotoxicity, a significant reduction in the frequency of polychromatic erythrocytes in relation to negative control or significant increase in the polychromatic erythrocytes with micronuclei was not detected. So, the material used in this study is biocompatible and well tolerated by the tissues studied, and found to be negative for chromosomal mutagenicity.
Assuntos
Ácido Láctico/toxicidade , Mutagênicos/toxicidade , Polímeros/toxicidade , Crânio/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Materiais Biocompatíveis/administração & dosagem , Materiais Biocompatíveis/toxicidade , Implantes de Medicamento/administração & dosagem , Implantes de Medicamento/toxicidade , Eritrócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Eritrócitos/patologia , Ácido Láctico/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Teste de Materiais , Testes para Micronúcleos , Mutagênicos/administração & dosagem , Poliésteres , Polímeros/administração & dosagem , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Crânio/patologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Visceral tone supposedly affects gut sensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Sildenafil increases nitric oxide and influences visceral compliance. AIM: To evaluate the effects of sildenafil tone inhibition on rectal sensitivity. METHODS: Eight controls and 21 IBS patients (Rome II) were enrolled in a double-blind study, after dosing with placebo or sildenafil (50 mg p.o.). Thresholds for first sensation, first desire to defecate, pain and supraliminar pain were the sensory endpoints, measured with a barostat and 600-mL rectal bag. Pain (100-mm VAS) and depression-anxiety (Hamilton questionnaire) were scored. RESULTS: Irritable bowel syndrome rectal compliance and sensory-endpoint thresholds were similar to controls. Five IBS patients had pain threshold lower than controls 95% confidence interval (hypersensitive). Depression score was greater in IBS than controls (11.9 ± 1.3 vs. 6.3 ± 2.5, P = 0.036). In IBS, pain intensity was nonsignificantly higher (37.6 ± 5.3 mm vs. 23.4 ± 8.5 mm, P = 0.064) and supraliminar pain intensity was greater (45.6 ± 5.4 mm vs. 25.9 ± 5.1 mm, P = 0.044) than controls. IBS rectal relaxation increased volume (155.4 ± 41.3 mL vs. 118.8 ± 47.7 mL, P = 0.004) and tension (193.1 ± 118.6 mmHg mL(-1) vs. 133.2 ± 98.1 mmHg mL(-1) , P = 0.019) for triggering first desire to defecate but not for other perceptions. Sildenafil increased volume for both first desire to defecate and pain in the hypersensitive IBS patients. Sildenafil increased rectal compliance only in diarrhoea-IBS. Mixed-IBS obtained higher anxiety (12.9 ± 1.3 vs. 5.9 ± 3.1, P < 0.05) and depression scores (13.9 ± 1.9 vs. 6.3 ± 2.5, P < 0.05) and reported more intense supraliminar pain (53.6 ± 9.8 mm vs. 25.9 ± 5.1 mm, P < 0.05) than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal relaxation following dosing with sildenafil 50 mg increased the first desire to defecate threshold in IBS as a whole, but decreased pain only in the hypersensitive subset. Mixed-IBS presented higher supraliminar pain and anxiety-depression scores.
Assuntos
Síndrome do Intestino Irritável/tratamento farmacológico , Transtornos do Humor/tratamento farmacológico , Tono Muscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Inibidores da Fosfodiesterase 5/uso terapêutico , Piperazinas/uso terapêutico , Reto/efeitos dos fármacos , Sulfonas/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Defecação/efeitos dos fármacos , Método Duplo-Cego , Feminino , Humanos , Síndrome do Intestino Irritável/complicações , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Transtornos do Humor/complicações , Tono Muscular/fisiologia , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Medição da Dor/métodos , Limiar da Dor/efeitos dos fármacos , Limiar da Dor/fisiologia , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Purinas/uso terapêutico , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Citrato de Sildenafila , Estatísticas não ParamétricasRESUMO
Infection by Helicobacter pylori is associated with the development of several gastroduodenal diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers), and gastric adenocarcinoma. Although a number of putative virulence factors have been reported for H. pylori, there are conflicting results regarding their association with specific H. pylori-related diseases. In this work, we investigated the presence of virB11 and cagT, located in the left half of the cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), and the jhp917-jhp918 sequences, components of the dupA gene located in the plasticity zone of H. pylori, in Brazilian isolates of H. pylori. We also examined the association between these genes and H. pylori-related gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric and duodenal ulcers in an attempt to identify a gene marker for clinical outcomes related to infection by H. pylori. The cagT gene was associated with peptic ulcer disease and gastric ulcers, whereas the virB11 gene was detected in nearly all of the samples. The dupA gene was not associated with duodenal ulcers or any gastroduodenal disease here analyzed. These results suggest that cagT could be a useful prognostic marker for the development of peptic ulcer disease in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. They also indicate that cagT is associated with greater virulence and peptic ulceration, and that this gene is an essential component of the type IV secretion system of H. pylori.
Assuntos
Genes Bacterianos , Ilhas Genômicas , Infecções por Helicobacter/microbiologia , Infecções por Helicobacter/patologia , Helicobacter pylori/genética , Helicobacter pylori/patogenicidade , Adulto , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Brasil , Feminino , Gastrite/microbiologia , Gastrite/patologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Úlcera Péptica/microbiologia , Úlcera Péptica/patologia , Fatores de Virulência/genéticaRESUMO
Cholecystokinin (CCK) influences gastrointestinal motility, by acting on central and peripheral receptors. The aim of the present study was to determine whether CCK has any effect on isolated duodenum longitudinal muscle activity and to characterize the mechanisms involved. Isolated segments of the rat proximal duodenum were mounted for the recording of isometric contractions of longitudinal muscle in the presence of atropine and guanethidine. CCK-8S (EC50: 39; 95 percent CI: 4.1-152 nM) and cerulein (EC50: 58; 95 percent CI: 18-281 nM) induced a concentration-dependent and tetrodotoxin-sensitive relaxation. Nomeganitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) reduced CCK-8S- and cerulein-induced relaxation (IC50: 5.2; 95 percent CI: 2.5-18 æM) in a concentration-dependent manner. The magnitude of 300 nM CCK-8S-induced relaxation was reduced by 100 æM L-NOARG from 73 ± 5.1 to 19 ± 3.5 percent in an L-arginine but not D-arginine preventable manner. The CCK-1 receptor antagonists proglumide, lorglumide and devazepide, but not the CCK-2 receptor antagonist L-365,260, antagonized CCK-8S-induced relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings suggest that CCK-8S and cerulein activate intrinsic nitrergic nerves acting on CCK-1 receptors in order to cause relaxation of the rat duodenum longitudinal muscle.
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Ratos , Ceruletídeo/farmacologia , Colecistocinina/farmacologia , Duodeno/efeitos dos fármacos , Contração Muscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Óxido Nítrico Sintase/antagonistas & inibidores , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/farmacologia , Receptores da Colecistocinina/fisiologia , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Duodeno/fisiologia , Ratos WistarRESUMO
One of the best examinations used routinely to detect gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is scintigraphy and attempts are continuously being made to improve the performance of the test. We have tested a new manoeuvre to improve the results. Three hundred and twenty eight patients (190 males and 138 females, aged 1 month to 84 years, average 4.47 years) were studied after a 12 h fast period with 100 MBq of 99Tcm-phytate, 50 ml volume, directly delivered into the stomach in a mixture of orange juice. All patients were strongly suspected of having GOR. Conventional acquisition was done for 20 min, at a rate of one frame every 20 s. In the middle of the examination, small children were put in the upright position and held there for a few seconds or released in a way that allowed movement; adults were asked to stand up and walk a few metres. The test was then continued for the remaining 10 min. The global index of positivity was 64.6% (76 positive cases in the first half of the examination and 134 positive cases only after the manoeuvre). The mean of GOR episodes observed in the positive cases without the manoeuvre was 0.5 per patient, significantly different from the mean of 1.59 noted after the manoeuvre (P<0.01). In 28 cases the manoeuvre increased either the intensity or the frequency of reflux previously detected without it. We believe that this manoeuvre should be performed in all scintigraphic tests aiming to detect GOR. In the present series, the manoeuvre increased the frequency of GOR episodes.
Assuntos
Refluxo Gastroesofágico/diagnóstico por imagem , Refluxo Gastroesofágico/fisiopatologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Compostos de Organotecnécio , Ácido Fítico , Postura , Cintilografia , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos , Reprodutibilidade dos TestesRESUMO
We studied oropharyngeal function in patients with Chagas' disease and oesophageal disease. Twenty-four patients with Chagas' disease, 17 of them with oesophageal disease, were submitted to scintigraphic oropharyngeal transit. A single swallow of a 10-mL bolus of water labelled with 40 MBq 99m Tc-phytate, followed by image acquisition at 20 images s-1 yielded time-activity curves in which oropharyngeal dynamics was evaluated. Thirteen normal volunteers were used as controls. Oral transit was longer for chagasics with oesophageal disease than for controls (P=0.004) or for chagasics with a normal oesophagus (P=0.028). Oesophageal filling rate, measured by the slope of the ascending aspect of the oesophageal radioactivity curve, was lower for chagasics with oesophageal disease than for controls (P=0.037). Also, maximum oesophageal filling rate was lower (P=0. 021) and occurred later (P=0.003) for chagasics with oesophageal disease than for controls. Pharyngeal clearance was positively correlated with oral transit (r=0.603, P=0.002). We conclude that chagasic oesophageal disease is associated with oral transit delay and a slower oesophageal filling rate.
Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/fisiopatologia , Orofaringe/fisiopatologia , Adulto , Idoso , Doença de Chagas/diagnóstico por imagem , Deglutição , Doenças do Esôfago/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Orofaringe/diagnóstico por imagem , CintilografiaRESUMO
The potential role of nitrergic nerves in the regulation of the South American (SA) opossum ileocolonic junction (ICJ) function was investigated. In vitro, the effects of nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors and NO inactivators on the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nerve-mediated relaxations of the circular muscle of the SA opossum ICJ were determined by employing isolated strips. Electrical field stimulation (0.2-8.0 Hz) caused frequency-dependent NANC relaxations. Nicotine and ATP also induced concentration dependent NANC relaxations that were abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX). The relaxation response induced by NANC nerve activation was reduced in a dose dependent manner by NO synthase inhibitors while vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced relaxations were uninfluenced by these drugs. In vivo, the NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME, administered into the local artery caused a raise in intraluminal pressure of the ICJ in anaesthetized SA opossums in a L-arginine-preventable manner. Hydroquinone and pyrogallol, while being able to reduce, in a superoxide dimutase (SOD) reversible manner, the relaxations induced by exogenous NO failed to affect the NANC nerve-induced relaxations. Finally, neurones and nerve fibres in the myenteric plexus as well as varicose nerve fibres on the circular smooth layer were positive for NADPH-diaphorase activity. These findings indicate that nitrergic nerves inhibit ICJ circular smooth muscle in vitro and in vivo but cast doubts on the neuromediator being the NO radical.
Assuntos
Colo/efeitos dos fármacos , Inibidores Enzimáticos/farmacologia , Íleo/efeitos dos fármacos , Óxido Nítrico Sintase/antagonistas & inibidores , Óxido Nítrico/antagonistas & inibidores , Gambás/fisiologia , Animais , Colo/enzimologia , Sistema Nervoso Entérico/efeitos dos fármacos , Sistema Nervoso Entérico/fisiologia , Feminino , Motilidade Gastrointestinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Íleo/enzimologia , Técnicas In Vitro , Masculino , NADPH Desidrogenase/metabolismo , NG-Nitroarginina Metil Éster/farmacologia , Nitroarginina/farmacologia , Tetrodotoxina/farmacologiaRESUMO
Chagas' disease is an infectious disease that affects millions of people in Latin America and is increasingly seen outside endemic areas. A substantial number of patients develop gastrointestinal disorders secondary to lesions of the enteric nervous system. The purpose of this article is to review the current knowledge about gastrointestinal manifestations of Chagas' disease, including disorders other than the well-known gross dilations of esophagus and colon.
Assuntos
Doença de Chagas/complicações , Gastroenteropatias/etiologia , Doenças dos Ductos Biliares/etiologia , Doenças do Colo/etiologia , Doenças do Esôfago/etiologia , Humanos , Enteropatias/etiologia , Intestino Delgado , Gastropatias/etiologiaRESUMO
Aeromonas hydrophila soft-tissue infection has been associated with fish and reptile bites. There have bee three recent cases from Brazil of abscesses complicating snake bites in which A. hydrophila was isolated from the purulent exudates. One of the snakes responsible for the bites was a specimen of Bothrops moojeni, and the others were most probably also lance-headed vipers. These snakes have a local necrotizing, myotoxic, oedema-inducing venom that must have favoured the multiplication in the injured tissue of A. hydrophila strains, which were probably present in the mouth, fangs or venom of the snakes. The use of a tourniquet by two of the patients probably worsened the local envenoming, and contributed to the occurrence of soft-tissue infection. The patients had a good outcome after the abscesses were incised and drained, and after being treated with chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol appears to be a good alternative for the empirical treatment of soft-tissue infection complicating snake bite in Brazil, because: it is active against the majority of the anaerobic and aerobic bacteria found in these abscesses, including A. hydrophila; it can be administered by the oral route; and its is inexpensive. Suitable alternatives are cotrimoxazole or fluoroquinolones, to which aeromonads are usually susceptible in vitro, associated with antibiotics, such as clindamycin and metronidazole, with an anti-anaerobic spectrum.
Assuntos
Aeromonas hydrophila , Bothrops , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Negativas/etiologia , Mordeduras de Serpentes/complicações , Infecções dos Tecidos Moles/etiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Animais , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Cloranfenicol/uso terapêutico , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Negativas/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Infecções dos Tecidos Moles/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
Nonadrenergic-noncholinergic (NANC) inhibitory nerves are responsible for most of the nerve induced relaxations of gastrointestinal muscle. It has recently been proposed that NANC nerves may release nitric oxide (NO) or a related compound derived from L-arginine. We have recently shown that the South American (SA) opossum is another suitable model to elucidate the mechanism involved in these NANC relaxations. In the present study the effect of NO synthase inhibitors as well as NO inactivators on the NANC-nerve induced relaxations of the circular muscle of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) of the SA opossum was investigated. It was observed that the NO synthase inhibitors, L-NOARG and L-NAME, caused a concentration-dependent reduction of NANC-nerve induced relaxations which was reversed by L- but not D-arginine. The NO-donors sodium nitroprusside and hydroxilamine as well as NO caused concentration-dependent relaxations of the EGJ circular muscle. In the myenteric plexus of this region, NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons and nerve fibers were observed while in the circular muscle layer only numerous positive fibers were found. The NO inactivators, hydroquinone, pyrogallol and carboxy-PTIO, reduced NO-induced relaxations but failed to affect NANC nerve- and sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxations. Taken together, these findings indicate that NANC nerve induced relaxation of the SA opossum EGJ circular muscle is dependent on neural NO synthase activity and suggest that the neurotransmitter being released is a superoxide resistant molecule, which is unlikely to be the NO radical, or that the activity of NO synthase is required for the release of the actual neurotransmitter rather than for synthesizing the neuromediator.
Assuntos
Sistema Nervoso Autônomo/fisiologia , Junção Esofagogástrica/inervação , Músculo Liso/inervação , Óxido Nítrico/fisiologia , Gambás/fisiologia , Agonistas Adrenérgicos beta/farmacologia , Animais , Sistema Nervoso Autônomo/enzimologia , Inibidores Enzimáticos/farmacologia , Junção Esofagogástrica/enzimologia , Junção Esofagogástrica/fisiologia , Feminino , Técnicas In Vitro , Isoproterenol/farmacologia , Masculino , Relaxamento Muscular , Músculo Liso/enzimologia , Músculo Liso/fisiologia , NADPH Desidrogenase/metabolismo , NG-Nitroarginina Metil Éster/farmacologia , Óxido Nítrico Sintase/antagonistas & inibidores , Óxido Nítrico Sintase/metabolismo , Peptídeo Intestinal Vasoativo/farmacologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Fetal hydronephrosis is being detected with increasing frequency and probably this observation will increase as the quality of ultrasound equipment improves. This study evaluated etiology and postnatal clinical outcomes of prenatally detected hydronephrosis. METHODS: In a period of 13 years 148 infants were referred with fetal hydronephrosis. The initial evaluation, after prophylaxis, included ultrasound and voiding cystography. Sequential evaluation was determined by initial findings. RESULTS: Postnatal predominant diagnosis were pelviureteric junction obstruction (24%) and hydronephrosis without obstruction (18%). Follow up median was 38.7 months. Renal function deteriorated in 13 (8.8%) children and 11 (7.4%) died during follow up. Bad prognosis was associated with urethral obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal hydronephrosis is a clue of urinary tract anomalies. Urinary tract infections and delay in postnatal diagnosis must be prevented in children with this uropathy.
RESUMO
In order to attain a diagnostic procedure able to detect intestinal malabsorption we studied the effect of rice flour ingestion (30 g) on H2 levels in the expired air of asymptomatic volunteers (n = 12) and in pancreas failure patients, either with (n = 15) or without steatorrhea (n = 13). The excretion of H2 in the expired air from pancreatopathic patients with steatorrhea were well above than those obtained from patients without steatorrhea (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that H2 breath test could be utilized to recognize intestinal malabsorption in individuals with exocrine pancreas disease.
Assuntos
Hidrogênio/análise , Síndromes de Malabsorção/diagnóstico , Pancreatopatias/fisiopatologia , Adulto , Testes Respiratórios/métodos , Feminino , Humanos , Síndromes de Malabsorção/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Amido/metabolismoRESUMO
The effects of the K+ channel blockers, apamin, tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine, upon the relaxations of the isolated rat proximal duodenum induced by nitregic nerve activation, nitric oxide (NO), the NO donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) and Br-cyclic GMP were determined. The effects of the guanylate cyclase inhibitors, cystamine and N-methylhydroxylamine, on NO-, SIN-1- and nitrergic nerve-induced responses were also investigated. Apamin inhibited nitrergic nerve-, NO-and SIN-1-induced relaxations but did not affect those induced by Br-cGMP. Tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine as well as cystamine and N-methylhydroxylamine failed to affect the relaxations caused by any of the agents tested. These findings indicate that, in the rat proximal duodenum, nitrergic nerve activation as well as exogenous nitric oxide cause relaxation through a cGMP-independent, apamin sensitive mechanism.
Assuntos
Apamina/farmacologia , GMP Cíclico/fisiologia , Duodeno/fisiologia , Relaxamento Muscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Óxido Nítrico/fisiologia , 4-Aminopiridina/farmacologia , Animais , Cistamina/farmacologia , Duodeno/inervação , Hidroxilaminas/farmacologia , Técnicas In Vitro , Masculino , Molsidomina/análogos & derivados , Molsidomina/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Compostos de Tetraetilamônio/farmacologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the patterns of esophageal motility found in patients with Chagas' disease. METHODS: Clinical, manometric, and scintigraphic data were obtained from 43 subjects with positive serological tests for Chagas' disease and nondilated esophagus and 10 patients with Chagasic megaesophagus. RESULTS: Twenty (46.5%) of the seropositive subjects with nondilated esophagus were asymptomatic, and 23 (53.5%) had dysphagia, but only 12 (27.9%) had persistent dysphagia, a feature typical of Chagasic megaesophagus; only two (4.6%) had chest pain. Manometric findings within the seropositive group were: normal motility in 16 subjects, peristaltic multipeaked contractions in three, aperistalsis of the esophagus with relaxing lower esophageal sphincter in nine, and aperistalsis with nonrelaxing lower esophageal sphincter in 15 subjects. All of 10 megaesophagus patients had aperistalsis of the esophagus plus nonrelaxing lower esophageal sphincter. Scintigraphy was as sensitive as manometry in detecting esophageal dysmotility, but the erect scintigraphy was abnormal in subjects with complete aperistalsis only. CONCLUSION: In Chagas' disease, megaesophagus appears to be a disorder at the most severe end of a spectrum encompassing classical achalasia and its milder variants. Other esophageal motility disorders are rare, but normal esophageal function is common.