Background: The use of probiotics positively modifies the composition and function of intestinal flora, improving the quality of intestinal anastomosis. Aim: To evaluate the impact of probiotic use on intestinal anastomosis of rats. Method: Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Rodentia Mammalia) were used, with body weight ranging from 220-320 g. The animals were housed and acclimated individually in boxes receiving water and ration ad libitum. After initial acclimatization, the control group received perioperative ration ad libitum for 12 days (seven preoperatively and five postoperatively) associated with the maltodextrin formula at a dose of 250 mg/day in isocaloric and isovolumetric form. Likewise, the probiotic group received oral supplementation of probiotics dose of 250 mg/day, associated with isocaloric and isovolumetric diet. The probiotic chosen for this study was composed of strains (doses 1x109 CFU/g)12 Lactobacillus paracasei LPC-37, Bifidobacterium lactis HN0019, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM. Probiotics or placebo were administered orally with the aid of a dosimeter spatula. Both groups underwent two colostomies, one in the right colon and the second in rectosigmoid, followed by reanastomosis with eight separate 6-0 mononylon stitches. The sacrifice took place on the fifth day. The parameters evaluated included tensile strength, histology and collagen densitometry. Results: The rate of intestinal fistula for the control and probiotic groups were, respectively, 22.22% and 11.11% (p=0.6581).Perioperative supplementation with probiotics increased collagen deposition of types I and III (p<0.0001), improved maximum traction force and maximum rupture force, p=0.0250 and p=0.0116 respectively, fibrosis area (p<0.0001), and area of the inflammatory infiltrate (p=0.0115). Conclusions: The use of probiotics had a positive impact on the quality of intestinal anastomosis.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most prevalent inherited monogenic pathology in South America. Although children with SCD have normal birthweight, weight deficit is often seen from early childhood. On the other hand, paradoxically, normal final height associated with delayed puberty has been reported from Brazil and Jamaica. This cross-sectional study describes the growth pattern by age and sex in 76 children and adolescents with SCD in Sergipe, north-east Brazil with a median age of 110 months. Median weights and heights for age were below the NCHS standards. The weight and height deficits were statistically significant for boys of all ages, except for 7-year-olds. Most girls have median weights and heights below the NCHS standards but this only becomes statistically significant at 15 years of age. Family channels were calculated from the parents' heights. The observed height was lower than the expected percentile value for the family in seven (41%) children, equal to expected family height in six (35%) and above expected family height in four (24%) of 17 teenagers. Our findings suggest that Brazilian children with SCD do not attain normal height and weight. It is therefore likely that, although maximum height and weight velocity occur significantly later than normal due to delayed puberty, the magnitude of this spurt is less than normal.

This study describes the cardiac size and function of patients with sickle cell anaemia, in Segipe, Brazil, and its association to the clinical severity, duration of illness and haemoglobin levels. Heart measurements were obtained by echocardiography from 38 children and adolescents and compared to international reference values. Sickle cell patients had increased left atrial and ventricular dimensions in systole and an increased end diastolic septal and left ventricular free wall thickness. These findings correlated with age. There were no abnormalities in the ejection or shortening fractions. These results suggest early haemodynamic changes with progressive cardiac chamber dilation and diastolic dysfunction that become increasingly abnormal with growth.

Background : The use of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids has been studied in the context of healing and tissue regeneration mainly due to its anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory and antioncogenic properties. Previous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects with the use of enteral immunonutrition containing various farmaconutrients such as L-arginine, omega-3, trace elements, but the individual action of each component in the healing of colonic anastomosis remains unclear. Aim : To evaluate the influence of preoperative supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on the healing of colonic anastomoses of well-nourished rats. Methods : Forty Wistar adult male rats, weighing 234.4±22.3 g were used. The animals were divided into two groups: the control group received for seven days olive oil rich in omega-9 oil through an orogastric tube, while the study group received isocaloric and isovolumetric omega-3 emulsion at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, also for seven days. Both groups were submitted to two colotomies followed by anastomosis, in the right and left colon, respectively. Parameters evaluated included changes in body weight, anastomotic complications and mortality, as well as maximum tensile strength by using a tensiometer and collagen densitometry at the anastomotic site. Results : There were no differences in body weight or mortality and morbidity between groups. The value of the maximum tensile strength of the control group was 1.9±0.3 N and the study group 1.7±0.2, p=0.357. There was, however, a larger amount of type I collagen deposition in the study group (p=0.0126). The collagen maturation índex was 1.74±0.71 in the control group and 1.67±0.5 in the study group; p=0,719). Conclusions : Preoperative supplementation of omega-3 fatty acid in rats is associated with increased collagen deposition of type I fibers in colonic anastomoses on the 5th postoperative day. No differences were observed in the tensile strength or collagen maturation index.

No abstract

Resumo A microbiota humana é formada por bilhões de microrganismos que atuam beneficiando a saúde do hospedeiro humano contra invasões patogênicas. A mucosa intestinal fica exposta a antígenos que devem ser eliminados pela barreira imunológica, no qual é afetada por fatores como antibióticos, estilo de vida e a dieta do hospedeiro, sendo a dieta, o fator que mais associa-se com a microbiota intestinal. Os probióticos são microrganismos vivos que quando administrados em quantidades adequadas, asseguram benefícios à saúde do hospedeiro. Os prebióticos equilibram a flora intestinal e devem ser associados com uma alimentação saudável. A alimentação da mãe influencia a microbiota do bebê que é imatura, sendo colonizada após o nascimento. Através da alimentação ao longo da vida, novos microrganismos são introduzidos para formar uma microbiota intestinal madura que beneficia a saúde do hospedeiro. As alterações no desenvolvimento da microbiota podem ter efeitos negativos na saúde do hospedeiro, com desequilíbrios que causam doenças. Neste contexto, o presente estudo tem como objetivo relacionar a influência da microbiota intestinal humana com o sistema imunológico na proteção do organismo, associado com a alimentação ao longo da vida. Foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva de levantamento bibliográfico a partir de publicações científicas nos idiomas de Português e Inglês. Foram consultados livros, dissertações, teses e outras documentações eletrônicas vinculadas às bases de dados como Scielo (Scientific Eletronic Library Online), Pubmed (National Center Biotechnology Information) e Google Acadêmico, com motores de busca através de trabalhos publicados em periódicos a partir do ano 2008 e outras publicações anteriores relevantes. Conclui-se que o sistema imunológico está intimamente ligado com a microbiota intestinal e a dieta é o maior contribuinte das alterações ocorridas. Uma alimentação equilibrada pode elevar a imunidade através da benéfica ação na microbiota intestinal. Palavras-chave: imunidade, dieta, trato gastrointestinal.

Resumo O câncer de mama é o mais frequente diagnóstico de câncer entre mulheres. Muito progresso tem sido alcançado nos últimos anos em relação ao tratamento, com diagnósticos cada vez mais precoces e precisos. O principal tratamento é a cirurgia, porém tratamentos adjuvantes como a quimioterapia, radioterapia, terapia hormonal e a imunoterapia reduzem o risco de recidiva do câncer de mama e o risco de morte por essa doença. Geralmente, estas terapias são indicadas após a cirurgia, como um complemento ao tratamento. Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar uma revisão de literatura sobre os principais métodos de tratamento do câncer de mama, suas implicações e resultados.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of preoperative supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids on the healing of colonic anastomoses in malnourished rats receiving paclitaxel. METHODS: we studied 160 male Wistar rats, divided in two groups: one subjected to malnutrition by pair feeding (M) for four weeks, and another that received food ad libitum (W). In the fourth week, the groups were further divided into two subgroups that received omega-3 or olive oil by gavage. The animals were submitted to colonic transection and end-to-end anastomosis. After the operation, each of the four groups was divided into two subgroups that received intraperitoneal isovolumetric solutions of saline or paclitaxel. RESULTS: mortality was 26.8% higher in the group of animals that received paclitaxel (p = 0.003). The complete rupture strength was greater in well-nourished-oil Paclitaxel group (WOP) compared with the the malnourished-oil Paclitaxel one (MOP). The collagen maturation index was higher in well-nourished-oil saline group (WOS) in relation to the malnutrition-oil-saline group (MOS), lower in malnourished-oil-saline group (MOS) in relation to malnourished-ômega3-saline one (M3S) and lower in the well-nourished-omega3-saline group (W3S) compared with the malnourished-omega3-saline (M3S). The blood vessel count was higher in the malnourished-oil-saline group (MOS) than in the malnourished-oil-paclitaxel group (MOP) and lower in the malnourished-oil-saline group (MOS) in relation to the malnourished-omega3-paclitaxel group (M3P). CONCLUSION: supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a significant increase in the production of mature collagen in malnourished animals, with a reversal of the harmful effects caused by malnutrition associated with the use of paclitaxel on the rupture strength, and with a stimulus to neoangiogenesis in the group receiving paclitaxel.