BackgroundBody composition (BC) in the elderly has been associated with diseases and mortality; however, there is a shortage of data on frailty in the elderly.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between BC and frailty, and identify BC profiles in nonfrail, prefrail, and frail elderly people.MethodsA cross-sectional study comprising 235 elderly (142 females and 93 males) aged ≥65 years, from the city of Amparo, State of São Paulo, Brazil, was undertaken. Sociodemographic and cognitive features, comorbidities, medication, frailty, body mass index (BMI), muscle mass, fat mass, bone mass, and fat percent (%) data were evaluated. Aiming to examine the relationship between BC and frailty, the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric tests were applied. The statistical significance level was P<0.05.ResultsThe nonfrail elderly showed greater muscle mass and greater bone mass compared with the prefrail and frail ones. The frail elderly had greater fat % than the nonfrail elderly. There was a positive association between grip strength and muscle mass with bone mass (P<0.001), and a negative association between grip strength and fat % (P<0.001). Gait speed was positively associated with fat mass (P=0.038) and fat % (P=0.002). The physical activity level was negatively associated with fat % (P=0.022). The weight loss criterion was positively related to muscle mass (P<0.001), bone mass (P=0.009), fat mass (P=0.018), and BMI (P=0.003). There was a negative association between fatigue and bone mass (P=0.008).Discussion: Frailty in the elderly was characterized by a BC profile/phenotype with lower muscle mass and lower bone mass and with a higher fat %. The BMI was not effective in evaluating the relationship between BC and frailty. The importance of evaluating the fat % was verified when considering the tissue distribution in the elderly BC.

No abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of muscle mass and bone mineral density on markers of mobility in dwelling elderly women.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 99 elderly women, who were 65 years old or above, in Campinas-SP, Brazil. To collect data, we used sociodemographic data, the body mass index (BMI), health status, comorbidities, use of medications, mobility tests (TUG and gait speed) and examinations of the body composition (densitometry with dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry “DXA”). In order to examine the relationship between muscle and bone mass with mobility (gait speed and TUG), we applied the Spearman correlation coefficient.Also was applied the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusted for age and comorbidities. To identify the factors associated with mobility, we used the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The level of significance for statistical tests was P < 0.05.ResultsThe correlation between sarcopenia and bone mineral density with mobility tests showed a significant relationship only between sarcopenia and TUG (r = 0.277, P = 0.006) in Spearman correlation coefficient. The result of the correlation analysis (ANCOVA) showed that sarcopenia was associated with gait speed (r2 = 0.0636, P = 0.0018) and TUG (r2 = 0.0898, P = 0.0027). The results of the multivariate analysis showed that age (P = 0.034, OR = 1.081) was associated with worse performance on gait speed. By highlighting the TUG test, the results of the multivariate analysis showed that the age (P = 0.004, OR = 1.111) and BMI in overweight (P = 0.011, OR = 7.83) and obese (P < 0.001, OR = 7.84) women were associated with lower performance of the functionality of the lower limbs.ConclusionThe findings with regard to mobility tests which were analyzed in this study indicate the association of variables related to the aging process that contribute to the decline in physical performance, for example, age, BMI and sarcopenia.

There was a significant association of rheumatism and symptoms with women and high incomes. Obesity was associated with joint symptoms, which in turn were associated with an impaired quality of life. Cataracts and cardiovascular disease were associated with rheumatism. The identification of these characteristics in the elderly will contribute to a better understanding of this systemic disease and should be used to plan effective preventive measures.

Purpose:To evaluate in vitro and in vivo neuromuscular blockade produced by rocuronium in rats treated with Phenobarbital and to determine cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5 concentrations in hepatic microsomes. Methods: Thirty rats were included in the study and distributed into 6 groups of 5 animals each. Rats were treated for seven days with phenobarbital (20 mg/kg) and the following parameters were evaluated: 1) the amplitude of muscle response in the preparation of rats exposed to phenobarbital; 2) rocuronium effect on rat preparation exposed or not to phenobarbital; 3) concentrations of cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5 in hepatic microsomes isolated from rats exposed or not to phenobarbital. The concentration and dose of rocuronium used in vitro and in vivo experiments were 4 µg/mL and 0,6 mg/kg, respectively. Results: Phenobarbital in vitro and in vivo did not alter the amplitude of muscle response. The neuromuscular blockade in vitro produced by rocuronium was significantly different (p=0.019) between exposed (20%) and not exposed (60%) rats; the blockade in vivo was significantly greater (p=0.0081) in treated rats (93.4%). The enzymatic concentrations were significantly greater in rats exposed to phenobarbital. Conclusions: Phenobarbital alone did not compromise neuromuscular transmission. It produced enzymatic induction, and neuromuscular blockade in vivo produced by rocuronium was potentiated by phenobarbital. Key words: Phenobarbital. Neuromuscular Blocking Agents. Rats. RESUMO Objetivo:Avaliar in vitro e in vivo o bloqueio neuromuscular produzido pelo rocurônio em ratos tratados com fenobarbital e determinar as concentrações de citocromo P450 e b5 em microssomos hepáticos. Métodos: Trinta ratos foram incluídos no estudo e distribuídos em seis grupos de cinco animais cada. Ratos foram tratados por sete dias com fenobarbital (20 mg/kg) e avaliou-se: 1) amplitude das respostas musculares em preparação de ratos expostos ao fenobarbital; 2) o efeito do rocurônio em preparações de ratos expostos ou não ao fenobarbital; 3) as concentrações de citocromo P450 e b5 em microssomos isolados de fígados dos ratos expostos ou não ao fenobarbital. A concentração e dose de rocurônio utilizadas nos experimentos in vitro e in vivo foram respectivamente de 4 µg/mL e 0,6 mg/kg. Resultados: In vitro e in vivo, o fenobarbital não alterou a amplitude das respostas musculares. In vitro, o bloqueio produzido pelo rocurônio foi significativamente diferente (p=0.019) entre expostos (20%) e não expostos (60%); in vivo o bloqueio foi significativamente maior (p=0.0081) nos ratos tratados (93,4%). As concentrações enzimáticas foram significativamente maiores nos ratos expostos ao fenobarbital. Conclusões: O fenobarbital isoladamente não comprometeu a transmissão neuromuscular. Ocasionou indução enzimática, e in vivo o bloqueio com o rocurônio foi potencializado pelo fenobarbital.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Trata-se de um estudo experimental que investigou in vitro e in vivo o bloqueio neuromuscular produzido pelo rocurônio e atracúrio em ratos tratados com carbamazepina e determinou as concentrações de citocromo P450 e b5 redutase em microssomos hepáticos. MÉTODO:Ratos foram tratados por sete dias com carbamazepina (CBZ) -40 mg.kg -1 pelo método de gavagem e sacrificados no oitavo dia sob anestesia com uretana. As preparações in vitro e in vivo foram montadas de acordo com as técnicas de Bulbring e de Leeuwin e Wolters, respectivamente. As concentrações e doses utilizadas dos bloqueadores nas preparações in vitro e in vivo foram, respectivamente, 20 µg.mL -1 e 0,5 mg.kg -1 para atracúrio (ATC); 4 µg.mL -1 e 0,6 mg.kg -1 para rocurônio (ROC). Cada protocolo teve um n = 5 e as respostas foram observadas por 60 minutos. Os efeitos do ATC e ROC foram avaliados nas preparações de ratos tratados (Cbz t ) e comparados com os observados nas de ratos não-tratados (CBZ st ). As concentrações de citocromo P450 e b5 redutase foram determinadas em microssomos isolados de fígados de ratos tratados (CBZ t ) e comparadas com as obtidas em ratos não tratados (CBZ st ). RESULTADOS:A carbamazepina não alterou a amplitude das respostas musculares; in vitro e in vivo, não houve diferença entre o bloqueio neuromuscular produzido pelo atracúrio nas preparações CBZ t versus CBZ st ; o bloqueio neuromuscular produzido pelo rocurônio nas preparações CBZ t foi potencializado in vitro. A carbamazepina não alterou as concentrações de citocromo P450 e b5. CONCLUSÕES:O tratamento por sete dias com carbamazepina não influenciou no bloqueio produzido pelo atracúrio, e alterou in vitro os efeitos do rocurônio. O tempo de tratamento não foi suficiente para causar indução enzimática e diminuir a sensibilidade ao rocurônio.

RESUMOFernandes SCA, Braga AFA, Braga FSS, Loyola YCS, Souza SR, Barcelos CC -Influência do Lítio no Bloqueio Neuromuscular Produzido pelo Atracúrio e pelo Cisatracúrio. Estudo em Preparações Nervo Frênico-Diafragma de Rato. JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS:O lítio, fármaco amplamente utilizado nos distúrbios bipolares, pode interagir com os bloqueadores neuromusculares. Os mecanismos para explicar os seus efeitos na transmissão neuromuscular e a interação com bloqueadores neuromusculares são controversos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, em diafragma de rato, os efeitos do lítio sobre a resposta muscular à estimulação indireta e a possível interação com os bloqueadores neuromusculares. MÉTODO:Utilizaram-se ratos com peso entre 250g e 300g, sacrificados sob anestesia com uretana. A preparação nervo frênico-diafragma foi montada de acordo com a técnica descrita por Bulbring. O diafragma foi mantido sob tensão, ligado a um transdutor isométrico e submetido à estimulação indireta de 0,1 Hz de freqüência. As contrações do diafragma foram registradas em fisiógrafo. Da análise da amplitude das respostas musculares avaliaram-se: os efeitos dos fármacos: lítio (1,5 mg.mL -1 ); atracúrio (20 µg.mL -1 ) e cisatracúrio (3 µg.mL -1 ) empregados isoladamente; da associação lítio-bloqueadores neuromusculares; e do lítio no bloqueio neuromuscular produzido pelo atracúrio (35 µg.mL -1 ) e cisatracúrio (5 µg.mL -1 ). Os efeitos foram avaliados antes e 45 minutos após a adição dos fármacos. Também foram estudados os efeitos do lítio nos potenciais de membrana (PM) e potenciais de placa terminal em miniatura (PPTM). RESULTADOS:O lítio isoladamente não alterou a amplitude das respostas musculares, mas diminuiu significativamente o bloqueio neuromuscular produzido pelo atracúrio e cisatracúrio. Não alterou o PM e ocasionou aumento inicial da freqüência dos PPTM. CONCLUSÕES:O lítio empregado isoladamente não comprometeu a transmissão neuromuscular e aumentou a resistência ao efeito do atracúrio e cisatracúrio. Não mostrou ação sobre a fibra muscular, sendo que as alterações nos potenciais de placa terminal em miniatura evidenciaram ação pré-sináptica. Unitermos BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Lithium is widely used for the treatment of bipolar disorders and can interact with neuromuscular blockers. There is a controversy about the mechanisms by which it affects neuromuscular transmission and its interaction with neuromuscular blockers. The objective of this study was to evaluate, on the rat diaphragm, the effects of lithium on the muscular response and indirect stimulation, and the possible interaction with neuromuscular blockers. METHODS: Rats weighing between 250 and 300 g were sacrificed under urethane anesthesia. The phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation was assembled according to the Bulbring technique. The diaphragm was kept under tension, connected to an isometric transducer, and submitted to indirect stimulation with a frequency of 0.1 Hz. The contractions of the diaphragm were registered on a physiograph. The analysis of the amplitu...

No abstract