No abstract

FUNDAMENTOS: O processo de envelhecimento tecidual é evidente nas modificações visíveis na pele, resultando em importantes implicações psicológicas para o indivíduo e crescente interesse científico. OBJETIVOS: O presente trabalho objetivou analisar as alterações da pele normal com o envelhecimento mediante estratégias de histomorfometria e autofluorescência. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas amostras de pele do abdômen de 18 cadáveres, incluindo cinco indivíduos jovens (menos de 20 anos), sete indivíduos com idade intermediária (20-60 anos) e seis indivíduos idosos (mais de 60 anos). Foram feitos cortes histológicos em parafina seguidos de coloração pela Hematoxilina-Eosina (H&E) e pelo tricrômio de Van Gieson-elastina. Avaliaram-se a espessura da epiderme e derme, e a superfície de contato epidermo-dérmica. Investigaram-se ainda as modificações qualitativas do aparelho colágeno-elástico, considerando sua disposição espacial na derme. Espécimes corados em H&E também foram utilizados para autofluorescência. RESULTADOS: A espessura da epiderme e derme do grupo idoso foi significativamente diminuída (p<0,05) em relação aos demais grupos. Os grupos idoso e intermediário exibiram acentuada redução na superfície de contato epiderme-derme (p<0,05). Detectaram-se a perda da distribuição em rede das fibras elásticas com sua progressiva fragmentação, alterações da compactação do colágeno e espessamento da membrana basal com o envelhecimento. CONCLUSÃO: O envelhecimento leva à redução da espessura da derme e epiderme, bem como ao aplanamento da junção dermo-epidérmica. As mudanças da pele ao longo da vida nem sempre seguem um perfil linear, mostrando drásticas alterações nas últimas décadas de vida. O método de autofluorescência mostrou-se um instrumento valioso no estudo da complexa relação espacial das fibras elásticas e colágenas.

Spirulina platensis (Spi) is a microalga presenting high contents of proteins, γ-linolenic acid, vitamins and minerals, and showing many biological activities. It is a promising drug for the treatment of diseases including diabetes. The objectives of this work were to study Spi effects on alloxan-induced diabetic rats, and associate this to its anti-inflammatory activity. The treatment with Spi (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.) started 48 h after the alloxan injection, continuing for 5 or 10 days. Biochemical parameters were measured in sera of treated and untreated animals. The anti-inflammatory activity of Spi was assessed by the formalin test and carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. Immunostainings for TNF-alpha were carried out in the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats, before and after the Spi treatment, and its effect on the release of myeloperoxidase from human neutrophils was also determined. Spi decreased glycemia as well as triglyceride and total cholesterol levels of diabetic rats. Levels of urea and creatinine were also reduced, while liver transaminases were unaltered. Spi also decreased dose-dependently the 1st (neurogenic) and mainly the 2nd phase (inflammatory) of the formalin test, as well as the carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. The anti-inflammatory effect of Spi was further confirmed by decreases in TNF-alpha immunostaining in the inflamed paw and in the myeloperoxidase release from human neutrophils. The results showed that the anti-diabetic effect of S. platensis is already manifested after a 5-day treatment. Additionally, considering the relationship between diabetes and inflammation, the microalga anti-inflammatory action may also be involved.

The standard protocol used for prevention of IFS-induced HC with three doses of mesna does not completely prevent bladder damage. The histopathological criteria used in this study for observation of inflammatory events allowed staging the intensity of IFS-induced urothelial and mucosal injury.

The present work showed the effects of Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All., popularly known as 'aroeira' (AE), in the form of enemas prepared from the stem bark, on several morphologic and morphometric parameters after acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Enemas from 5-ASA were used as standard while the vehicle, carboxymethylcellulose, was used as a control. The results of the morphological evaluation showed that on day 1 acetic acid produced significantly more necrosis in the groups treated with AE (10% and 20%) or 5-ASA than the controls. However, on day 60, there were more caliciform and absorptive cells in the treated groups compared with the controls. A significantly higher number of eosinophil and mononuclear cells and also collagen deposition in the controls compared with the treated groups were observed on day 60. However, a higher number of polymorphonuclear cells was detected on day 60 only in the AE treated group but not in the 5-ASA group. These data indicate that animals treated with AE or 5-ASA showed complete epithelial tissue regeneration, while in the controls chronic inflammatory exudate persisted and tissue regeneration occurred through fibrosis.