No abstract

A Liga Acadêmica de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardíaca (LACCOR) é um projeto extensionista desenvolvido por alunos e professores de Medicina da Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (UEPG). A liga proporciona isso na medida em que estabelece o contato do mesmo com a iniciação científica na área da cardiologia, fornecendo de maneira efetiva ao jovem pesquisador a ampliação dos horizontes. Além disso, possibilita o contato do discente com a comunidade, para que aprenda sobre o território e as pessoas que ali vivem, fortalecendo vínculos e aprendendo desde o início sobre a relação médico-paciente. É crucial que os acadêmicos dos cursos de saúde estejam preparados para enfrentar essa nova realidade epidemiológica, através de pesquisas e atividades desenvolvidas que habilitarão esses futuros profissionais no cuidado com as disfunções cardiovasculares.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of flaxseed on choroid -sclera complex thickness and on LDL oxidation in the sclera, choroid and retina of diet-induced hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. New Zealand male albino rabbits (n 21) were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1; n 11), fed a hypercholesterolaemic diet, and group 2 (G2; n 10), fed a hypercholesterolaemic diet enriched with flaxseed flour. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol, TAG and fasting blood glucose were determined at the start of the experiment and on the day of killing (8th week). Choroid and sclera samples were subjected to haematoxylin -eosin (HE) staining and histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analyses with the anti-oxidised LDL antibody. Sensory retina samples were subjected to an immunohistochemical analysis with the primary monoclonal nitrotyrosine antibody. At the end of the experiment, a significant increase was observed in TC and LDL-C concentrations in G1 rabbits when compared with G2 rabbits (P¼0·008 and P¼0·02, respectively). HE staining revealed a significant increase in choroid -sclera complex thickness in G1 rabbits when compared with G2 rabbits (P,0·001). Immunohistochemical analysis of choroid and sclera samples with the anti-oxidised LDL marker revealed a significant increase in immunoreactivity in G1 rabbits when compared with G2 rabbits (P,0·001). Immunohistochemical analysis of sensory retina samples with the anti-nitrotyrosine marker revealed a significant increase in immunoreactivity in G1 rabbits when compared with G2 rabbits (P¼ 0·002). Flaxseed reduced the choroid -sclera complex thickness of diet-induced hypercholesterolaemic rabbits and the expression of oxidised LDL in the choroid -sclera complex as well as the expression of nitrotyrosine in the sensory retina.