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Acute liver damage caused by acetaminophen overdose is a significant clinical problem and could benefit from new therapeutic strategies. Objective. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of Thymus vulgaris essential oil (TEO), which is used popularly for various beneficial effects, such as its antiseptic, carminative, and antimicrobial effects. The hepatoprotective activity of TEO was determined by assessing serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in mice. Their livers were then used to determine myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity and subjected to histological analysis. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by assessing the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•)-scavenging effects of TEO and TEO-induced lipid peroxidation. TEO reduced the levels of the serum marker enzymes AST, ALT, and ALP and MPO activity. The histopathological analysis indicated that TEO prevented acetaminophen-induced necrosis. The essential oil also exhibited antioxidant activity, reflected by its DPPH radical-scavenging effects and in the lipid peroxidation assay. These results suggest that TEO has hepatoprotective effects on acetaminophen-induced hepatic damage in mice.

-The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation on the neurons that produce the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the submucous plexus of the ileum of rat, four months after the induction of experimental diabetes mellitus with streptozotocin. Three groups of rats were used: C -control, D -diabetic, DA -diabetic receiving AA. We have measured the immunoreactivity and area of 80 cellular bodies of VIP-ergic neurons from each studied group. In the diabetic animals, we have observed hyperphagia, polydipsia, and an increase of glycemia and glycated hemoglobin. The VIP-ergic neurons have presented an increase of their immunoreactivity and the highest profiles when compared to the other groups. In the diabetic animals supplemented with AA it has been observed a small reduction in the glycemia and the water and food intake. We have also noticed smaller immunoreactivity in their VIP-ergic neurons, similar to what we have observed in the control group animals (group C).KEY WORDS: ascorbic acid, diabetes mellitus, streptozotocin, ileum, vasoactive intestinal peptide, submucous plexus, rats.Plexo submucoso de íleo terminal: estudo dos neurônios VIP Plexo submucoso de íleo terminal: estudo dos neurônios VIP Plexo submucoso de íleo terminal: estudo dos neurônios VIP Plexo submucoso de íleo terminal: estudo dos neurônios VIP Plexo submucoso de íleo terminal: estudo dos neurônios VIP-érgicos de ratos diabéticos tratados com -érgicos de ratos diabéticos tratados com -érgicos de ratos diabéticos tratados com -érgicos de ratos diabéticos tratados com -érgicos de ratos diabéticos tratados com ácido ascórbico ácido ascórbico ácido ascórbico ácido ascórbico ácido ascórbico RESUMO -O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação com ácido ascórbico (AA) sobre os neurônios que expressam o peptídeo intestinal vasoativo (VIP) no plexo submucoso do íleo de ratos, quatro meses após a indução do diabetes mellitus experimental com estreptozootocina. Três grupos de ratos foram usados: C-controles, D-diabéticos, DA-diabéticos recebendo AA. Foram avaliadas a imunoreatividade e a área de 80 corpos celulares de neurônios VIP-érgicos de cada grupo estudado. Nos animais diabéticos ocorreram hirperfagia, polidipsia, elevação da glicemia e hemoglobina glicada. Os neurônios VIP-érgicos apresentaram aumento da imunorreatividade e os maiores perfis, quando comparados aos demais grupos. Nos animais diabéticos suplementados com AA observou-se pequena redução na glicemia, ingesta de água e de alimento, verificando-se também menor imunorreatividade nos neurônios VIP-érgicos, o que foi semelhante ao observado nos animais do grupo controle (grupo C). PALAVRAS-CHAVE: acido ascórbico, diabetes mellitus, estreptozootocina, íleo, peptídeo intestinal vasoativo, plexo submucoso, ratos.

This study evaluated the cicatrizant effect of an ointment containing 1% of the ethyl-acetate fraction extracted from the stem bark of "barbatimão" (Stryphnodendron adstringens), in wounds made in the skin of rats, after 4, 7 and 10 days of treatment. Control wounds were treated with a base ointment without extract. The proliferation of keratinocytes in the area of reepithelialization was evaluated by counting the number of epithelial cells that were blocked in metaphase by vincristine sulfate. The length of the reepithelialized margin and the contraction of the wound were measured. Topical application of the "barbatimão" ointment stimulated proliferation of the keratinocytes, but had no effect on the length of the epithelium or on the contraction of the wounds. Uniterms:Stryphnodendron adstringens/pharmacognosy. Stryphnodendron adstringens/ cicatrizant effect. "Barbatimão"/pharmacognosy. Wound/healing/experimental study. Reepithelialization.Neste estudo, avaliou-se a atividade cicatrizante de uma pomada contendo uma fração acetato de etila 1% obtida de cascas de "barbatimão" (Stryphnodendron adstringens) em feridas excisionais na pele de ratos após 4, 7 e 10 dias de tratamento. Feridas controle foram tratadas com pomada base, sem extrato. A proliferação dos queratinócitos na área reepitelizada foi avaliada através da contagem do número de queratinócitos bloqueados em metáfase, pelo sulfato de vincristina. O comprimento da margem reepitelizada e a contração das feridas foram mensurados. As feridas tratadas com barbatimão apresentaram um maior número de mitoses do que aquelas tratadas com a pomada base, em todos os tempos avaliados. A aplicação tópica da pomada de "barbatimão" estimulou a proliferação epitelial contudo não teve efeito sobre a migração dos queratinócitos ou sobre a contração das feridas. Unitermos:Stryphnodendron adstringens/farmacognosia. Stryphnodendron adstringens/efeito cicatrizante. "Barbatimão"/farmacognosia. Feridas/cicatrização/estudo experimental. Reepitelização. INTRODUCTIONIn cutaneous lesions, tannins bind to the proteins of the injured tissues, precipitating them (Fernandez et al., 2002) and creating a protective layer (Neto et al., 1996). This layer isolates the wound site from the environment, reducing the permeability and exudation of the wound (Brown, Dattner, 1998;Bedi, Shenefelt, 2002) and promoting tissue repair. Tannins also exhibit vasoconstrictor and anti-inflammatory properties (Mota et al., 1985;Kapu et al., 2001) and stimulate the growth of epidermis, aiding reepithelialization (Palermo et al., 2002;. Reepithelialization involves the proliferation and migration of cells from the edges of the wound, and is regulated by mechanisms involving genes, growth factors, integrins, extracellular matrices (ECM) and metalloproteinases (MMPs) (Santoro, Gaudino, 2005).Stryphnodendron Martius, Leguminosae, popularly known as "barbatimão", is a Brazilian savannah tree. Extracts of the stem bark from species of Stryphnodendron have several medically useful properties, such as antiinflamma...

The reaction of subcutaneous tissues to Endofill, Endomethasone, Sealer 26, and AH-Plus was investigated microscopically after implantation of in rats polyethylene cannulae, obturated with gutta-percha cones and sealers, in rats. Empty polyethylene cannulae and cannulae filled with gutta-percha cones alone were used as controls. The inflammatory reactions caused by the sealers were evaluated 7, 14, and 30 days after implantation using a descriptive, histopathological analysis. Inflammatory reactions at each implant site were gauged as either absent, discreet, moderate, or intense, and scores from 0 to 3 were attributed, respectively. Microscopic analysis revealed that Endomethasone showed the best biological behavior for all postimplant periods, followed by Sealer 26 and AH Plus, which produced an irritating effect only during the initial pos-implant period. Endofill caused the severest irritation, producing an inflammatory reaction that ranged from moderate to intense over the entire experimental period. Reactions were more intense near those parts of the cannulae containing more sealer. These results reveal that the root canal sealers tested cause inflammation in rat, subcutaneous conjunctive tissue, the intensity of which may be related to the type and quantity of sealer used, and to postimplant period.

-The aim of present study was to evaluate the number and basophily of cell bodies of myenteric neurons in the ileum of rats with diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin. Four groups of rats were used: diabetes was induced in two (D) whereas the other two worked as controls (N). Animals were sacrificed six (6N, 6D) or nineteen (19N, 19D) weeks after diabetes induction. A segment of the terminal portion of the ileum of each rat was obtained and stained with Giemsa's solution, for whole-mount preparation studies. Forty fields were analyzed in each animal, and the number and basophily intensity of cell bodies were recorded. After counting, the following mean numbers of neurons/mm 2 were obtained: 6N=593.1 ± 95.75, 6D=639.1 ± 130.8, 19N=580.1 ± 175.6 and 19D=402.0 ± 144.8. The analysis of basophily shown that highest frequency of neurons with weak/ intermediary basophily was verified in 6D group (55.3%), whereas the groups 6N, 19N e 19D presented 38%, 36% e 40% respectively. The statistical analysis showed that a long period is necessary to decrease the number of neurons/mm 2 in the rat ileum after diabetes induction, and that there was a reduction in basophily intensity in diabetic rats after 6 weeks of treatment, and such cells do not recover after a longer period (19 weeks).KEY WORDS: myenteric plexus, streptozotocin, diabetes mellitus, ileum.A duração do diabetes induzido por estreptozootocina é importante para determinar as mudanças no número e basofilia dos neurônios mientéricos RESUMO -O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o número e basofilia dos corpos celulares dos neurônios mientéricos no íleo de ratos com diabetes mellitus induzido por estreptozootocina. Quatro grupos de ratos foram usados. O diabetes foi induzido em dois grupos (D), enquanto outros dois eram controles (N). Os animais foram sacrificados 6 (6N, 6D) ou dezenove (19N, 19D) semanas após a indução do diabetes. Preparados totais de um segmento do íleo terminal, de cada rato, foram corados com solução de Giemsa. Foram contados 40 campos em cada animal, e o número e a intensidade de basofilia citoplasmática foram registrados. Após a contagem, as seguintes médias no número de neurônios/mm 2 foram obtidos: 6N=593,1 ± 95, 75, 6D=693,1 ± 130,8, 19N=580,1 ± 175,6 e 19D=402,0 ± 144,8. A análise da basofilia mostrou que a maior frequência de neurônios com basofilia fraca e intermediária foi verificada no grupo 6D (55,3%), enquanto os grupos 6N, 19N e 19D apresentaram 38%, 36% e 40% respectivamente. A análise estatística mostrou que um longo período é necessário para que ocorra a redução no número de neurônios/mm 2 no íleo de ratos, após a indução do diabetes. Também demonstrou uma redução na intensidade da basofilia citoplasmática 6 semanas de tratamento com estreptozootocina, e que estas células não se recuperam após um longo período de tempo (19 semanas). PALAVRAS-CHAVE: plexo mientérico, estreptozootocina, diabetes mellitus, íleo.Among the many effects of diabetes in the human gastrointestinal tract, those which affect the intestine are ...

The effects of starter diet (days 1 to 21) supplemented with arginine (Arg) on the production performance and duodenum and jejunum mucosa morphometry of broilers were studied. Male Cobb broiler chickens (990) were randomly assigned to one of ϐive treatments in a complete random design. Measurements of 33 chicks per treatment were made in six repetitions. The treatments consisted of a basal diet with 1.390% digestible Arg (no supplementation) and four dietary levels (1.490%, 1.590%, 1.690%, and 1.790%), providing a relationship with lysine of 1.103; 1.183; 1.262; 1.341 and 1.421%, respectively. From the age of 22 days on, all birds received conventional grower diet. The data were submitted to regression analysis by polynomial decomposition of the degrees of freedom in relation to the levels of Arg. The Arg supplementation increased (P<0.05) the live weight and the feed conversion ratio without increasing the feed intake of the birds. However, no effect was observed (P>0.05) in the growth phase (days 22 to 42) in the absence of the Arg supplementation. The supplementation of Arg over of NRC recommendation during the starter phase may be necessary for the expression of the maximal weight gain potential in birds. No effect (P<0.05) of Arg dietary supplementation was observed either on small intestine weight and length at any age. However, the duodenum villus:crypt ratio increased and the crypt depth decreased in the ϐirst week in response to increasing dietary Arg. It is concluded that broiler Arg dietary supplementation in the starter diet improved production performance and small intestine morphometry, especially in the ϐirst week.