In clinical acupuncture, when acupuncture points are stimulated, several types of reflex responses can be evoked. Consequently, different categories of physiological responses are induced, which include changes in the activities of internal organs and tissues. The acupuncture point Sanyinjiao (SP6) has been used successfully to treat different human gastrointestinal conditions. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of end-organ response induced by acupuncture point SP6 on the bioavailability of the radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in Wistar rats. Healthy rats were allocated into 2 groups, control-CG and treated-TG. TG was bilaterally stimulated at acupuncture point SP6 with stainless steel needles. Ocular plexus administration of Na99mTcO4 (3.7MBq) was carried out 10 min after every needle insertion in all animals. Ten minutes later, the animals were killed, the organs were isolated, the radioactivity was determined in a well gamma counter, and the percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) was determined for each organ. The %ID/g was significantly altered (p < 0.05) in the small intestine of TG (0.56 +/- 0.09) when compared to CG (0.82 +/- 0.18). These results may suggest that this stimulation might induce physiological responses capable of altering the bioavailability of the radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate. These findings aid in providing a better understanding of acupuncture and its effects on various organs and tissues.
Experimental models have aided to understand the mechanism and the exercise effects on biological systems. To evaluate the effects of acute swimming exercise on the bioavailability of the radiopharmaceutical technetium-99m methylenediphosphonate ( 99m Tc-MDP) used for bone scintigraphy, the rats were divided into control, sedentary, and exercised groups. Sedentary and exercised groups were adapted to water for 2 weeks (5 min/day, 5 days/week). After that, the exercised groups (EG) were submitted to acute swimming exercise for 5, 10 or 20 min (loads of 5% of body weight), and then all animals were anaesthetized, 99m Tc-MDP was administered and after 180 min the animals were sacrificed. Blood and organs were removed, the radioactivity was determined in a well counter and the percentage per gram of tissue of injected dose (%ID/g) was calculated. The findings showed a significant decrease of %ID/g in the hearts of the sedentary group, EG-5min, EG-10min and EG-20min when compared to the control group, in the bones of EG-20min when compared to the control group, and in the lungs of EG-5min and EG-10min when compared to the control group. These findings could be associated with specific modifications of the metabolism in certain organs, which are highly relevant when evaluations of the bone using 99m Tc-MDP are being carried out.
Stannous chloride (SnCl2) is used in nuclear medicine as a reducing agent to obtain technetium-99m-radiopharmaceuticals. It have been reported that natural products might reduce the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects related to SnCl2. This work evaluated the biological effects of an aqueous extract of Salix alba on the survival of Escherichia coli (E. coli) AB1157 (wild type) cultures submitted to the action of SnCl2. E. coli AB1157 cultures (exponential growth phase) were collected by centrifugation, washed and resuspended in 0.9%NaCl. Samples were incubated in water bath shaker with: (a) SnCl2 (25μg/ml), (b)Salix alba extract(11.6mg/ml) and (c)SnCl2(25μg/ml) + Salix alba extract (11.6mg/ml). Incubation with 0.9% NaCl was also carried out (control). At 60 min intervals, aliquots were withdrawn, diluted, spread onto Petri dishes with solid LB medium and incubated overnight. The colonies formed were counted and the survival fractions calculated. The extract was not able to protect the E. coli cultures against the lesive action of SnCl2. The extract also did not interfere with the survival of the cultures. It suggested that the substances present in the Salix alba aqueous extract did not interfere strongly with cellular metabolism and did not alter the survival fractions of E. coli AB1157. It is speculated that this extract cannot interfere with the generation of free radicals, the possible main agent responsible for SnCl2 lesive action.
Introduction: Animal models of PD induced by the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) show locomotion and behavioral alterations mostly caused by the oxidative and inflammatory process induced by this neurotoxin. Sulfated agaran is a polysaccharide with sulfate groups found in the red seaweed Gracilaria cornea (SA). Recently, a study with SA showed anti-inflammatory effects and absence of toxic effects in vivo. The aim of this work was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of SA after behavioral and locomotion alterations-induced by 6-OHDA intrastriatal injection in rats and to evaluate the safety of the intraestriatal administration of this polysaccharide in vivo. Methods: The seaweed was collected from Flecheiras beach, Brazil. SA was obtained as previously described by Coura et al (2012). Male Wistar rats (220-300 g) were randomically divided in eight groups (n=10 animals per group). Rats were anesthetized and treated with AS (15, 30 or 60 µg) alone or after 6-OHDA (20 µg) injection; 6-OHDA (20 µg) alone; or saline (sham group). All treatments were realized through stereotaxic injection into the right striatum and solutions were prepared diluted in saline (0.9%; with 0.01% ascorbic acid). Animals were maintained under ad libitum feeding conditions. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Research of the Federal University of Ceará-CEPA (nº 45/13). The rats weight were measured daily for ponderal curve analysis. On the 14 th day, rats were subjected to behavioral evaluation by the open-field test and the rotational test after apomorphine (3 mg/Kg). Results: The open-field test showed an increase (p<0.01) in the locomotor activity of the 6-OHDA+SA (30 and 60 µg) groups in 63.1±5.7 and 74.9±5.8 (numbers lines crossing), respectively, in relation to 6-OHDA group (47.4±3.7). 6-OHDA+SA (15, 30 or 60 µg) groups had the rotation number reduced (p<0.001) in 80, 83 and 91%, respectively, in comparison to 6-OHDA group. Additionally, rats submitted to intraestriatal SA injection (15, 30 or 60 µg) alone did not show statistical differences compared to the sham group in the overall tests utilized. Conclusions: SA from seaweed G. cornea show neuroprotective effects against locomotion disturbances induced by 6-OHDA injection into the striatum. SA did not show behavioral and ponderal changes in comparison to the sham group, suggesting safety.
The use of microalgae as a source of food and pharmaceutical ingredients has garnered growing interest in recent years. Despite the rapid growth of the nutraceutical market, knowledge about the potential of bioactive molecules from microalgae remains insufficient. The present study aimed to investigate the biotechnological potential of the green microalga Desmodesmus armatus isolated from a semi-arid region of Brazil. The algal biomass was characterized in terms of gross biochemical composition, exopolysaccharide content, enzymatic inhibition capacity, and antioxidant, antibacterial, and hemolytic activities from solvents of different polarities (water, ethanol, acetone, and hexane). D armatus biomass had 40% of crude protein content, 25.94% of lipids, and 25.03% of carbohydrates. The prebiotic potential of exopolysaccharides from D armatus was demonstrated, which stimulated the growth of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum bacteria strains. Moreover, the enzyme inhibition capacity for the proteases chymotrypsin (34.78%–45.8%) and pepsin (16.64%–27.27%), in addition to α-amylase (24.79%) and lipase (31.05%) was confirmed. The antioxidant potential varied between the different extracts, with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl sequestration values varying between 17.51% and 63.12%, and those of the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) method between 6.82% and 22.89%. In the antibacterial activity test, only the ethanolic extract showed inhibition against Listeria sp. (at minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] = 256 µg mL−1). This fraction also presented the highest significant levels of hemolysis (31.88%–52.45%). In summary, the data presented in the study suggest the presence of biocompounds with biotechnological and nutraceutical potential in the D armatus biomass. Future studies may evaluate the inclusion of this biomass in foods in order to increase their biological value.
During elution of 99Mo-99mTc generators used in nuclear medicine, 99Mo might be extracted becoming a radionuclidic impurity. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the activity ratio between 99Mo and 99mTc in the eluate, at the moment of administration to the patient, should not exceed 0.015%. The aim of this work is to optimize a methodology to determine 99Mo activity in 99mTc eluates. Efficiency curves were obtained using a NaI(Tl)8"×4" scintillation detector. The methodology was validated by measuring a standard solution of 99Mo. It was concluded that the technique is sensitive to detect 99Mo in 99mTc eluates at levels below international limits.
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