•The animals treated with HESM at a dose of 200 mg/kg exhibited almost complete healing in all animals.•The HESM (200 mg/kg) group revealed a large amount of collagen fibers, which presented greater ...healing and granular tissue formation in the oral mucositis area.•MDA levels were lower in the HESM (200 mg/kg) group when compared to that observed in the 5FU/MT group (p < 0.001).•Inflammatory cytokine IL-1β was significantly lower in the HESM (200 mg/kg) group (p < 0.05) compared to 5FU/MT group.
Spondias mombin has been used in folk medicine to treat inflammation in the oral cavity. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of S. mombin extract in an oral mucositis experimental model.
Male hamsters were orally pre-treated with hydroethanolic extract of S. mombin leaves (HESM) (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) for ten days. Cheek pouch samples were subjected to macroscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis (Cox-2, iNOS, NF-kB p50 NLS and MMP-2). IL-1β and TNF-α levels were analyzed by ELISA immunoassay, and Superoxide dismutase estimative (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were submitted to spectroscopy analysis.
The group treated with HESM at a dose of 200 mg/kg showed the best healing effect, showing no evidence of ulceration in the macroscopic analysis (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis showed re-epithelialization, discrete mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate and absence of hemorrhage and edema score of 1 (1-1) (p < 0.05), as well as a large amount of collagen fibers and a lower immunoexpression of Cox-2, iNOS, NF-kB p50 NLS and MMP-2. Decrease in SOD (p < 0.05), MDA (p<0.001), IL-1β (p < 0.05), and TNF-α levels (p < 0.001), with an increase in GSH (p < 0.01) levels.
HESM (200 mg/kg) reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters.
and Aims: Ageing is associated with impaired endothelial function, which can negatively affect cerebral blood flow (CBF). The present study evaluated whether aged garlic extract (AGE) could improve ...cerebral oxygenation and blood volume due to the possible vasoactive effect. Methods and Results: Fourteen older adults were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. Urinary thiosulfate and plasma nitrite was drawn, and participants ingested 2.4 g of AGE or placebo. A handgrip exercise protocol started 180 min after supplementation to induce brain activation, and cerebral oxygenation and blood volume were evaluated by near-infrared spectroscopy. After exercise, urinary thiosulfate and plasma nitrite were re-evaluated. AGE supplementation did not change cerebral oxygenation and blood volume. In addition, urinary thiosulfate and plasma nitrite remained unchanged after supplementation. Conclusion: A single dose of AGE (2.4 g) could not increase nitrite levels and cerebral oxygenation and blood volume in older adults at cardiovascular risk factors (NCT04008693).
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•AGE supplementation did not change cerebral oxygenation during handgrip exercise.•AGE supplementation did not change blood volume during handgrip exercise.•Urinary thiosulfate and plasma nitrite remained unchanged after AGE supplementation.
Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of olmesartan medoxomil (Olme), an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, on oral mucositis (OM) experimental model.
Methods
Oral mucositis ...was induced in hamsters with 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU; 60 mg/kg day 1 and 40 mg/kg day 2). Animals (n = 10/group) were pretreated with oral Olme (1, 5, or 10 mg/kg) or vehicle 30 minutes before 5‐FU injection and daily, until day 10. Cheek pouch samples were subjected to histopathological and immunostaining analysis of IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐10, TGF‐β, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), SOD, MMP‐2 and FGF‐2. In addition, IL‐1β and TNF‐α levels were evaluated by ELISA. Myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were investigated by spectroscopic UV/VIS analysis. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (RT‐PCRs) were used to quantify the expression of IL‐1β, TNF‐α, NF‐κBp65, MKP1 and ACE2. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 protein levels were analysed by Western blot.
Results
Treatment with 10 mg/kg Olme reduced ulceration, inflammatory cell infiltration, MPO activity, MDA levels, iNOS and ERK1/2 proteins levels, MIF expression and TNF‐α and IL‐1β of levels and gene expression. These findings were associated with a significant increase in the immunostaining of IL‐10, FGF‐2 and TGF‐β. In addition, gene expression of IL‐1β, TNF‐α, NF‐κBp65 MKP1 and ACE2 was decreased.
Conclusion
Olmesartan at a dose of 10 mg/kg prevented the mucosal damage and inflammation associated with 5‐FU‐induced OM, increasing granulation and tissue repair.
Oral mucositis (OM) is characterized by the presence of severe ulcers in the oral region that affects patients treated with chemotherapy. It occurs in almost all patients who receive radiotherapy of ...the head and neck, as well as patients who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation. The pathophysiology of OM is complex, and there is no effective therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone-loaded poly(d,l-Lactic-
-glycolic) nanoparticles (PLGA-DEX NPs) on an OM model induced in hamsters. The NPs were synthesized using the emulsification-solvent evaporation method and were characterized by the size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, atomic force microscopy, physicochemical stability, and the in vitro release. The OM was induced by the administration of 5-FU on the first and second days and mechanical trauma on the 4th day of the experiment. PLGA-DEX NPs were administered to treat OM. The animals were euthanized on the 10th day. Macroscopic and histopathological analyses were performed, measurement of malonaldehyde (MDA) and ELISA was used to determine the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Immunoexpressions of NF-κB, COX-2, and TGF-β were determined by immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR was used to quantify the gene expression of the GILZ, MKP1, and NF-κB p65. The PLGA-DEX NPs (0.1 mg/kg) significantly reduced macroscopic and histopathological scores, decreased MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β levels, immunostaining for NF-κB, COX-2, TGF-β, and suppressed NF-κB p65 mRNA expression, but increased GILZ and MKP1 expression.
Background/Aims: Glomerulopathy patients are prone to developing transitory reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which can be difficult to differentiate from irreversible chronic kidney disease ...(CKD). Renal ultrasound can be useful, but differently from renal length, quantitative renal echogenicity has not been formerly evaluated regarding its capacity to identify irreversible advanced CKD. Methods: A prospective study was performed, where quantitative renal echogenicity was performed during renal biopsy in patients with suspected glomerular disease (n=197). Quantitative echogenicity was measured as the inverse of the ratio between the mean pixel densities of the renal cortex and adjacent liver using ScionImage software. Patients were followed during a six-months period to ascertain irreversible advanced CKD. Quantitative renal echogenicity and histopathology parameters discriminatory capacity were compared regarding their capacity to detect advanced and irreversible CKD - estimated GFR less than 30mL/min/1.73m 2 confirmed after a six-month follow-up. Results: At renal biopsy, the mean eGFR was 53.9±33.6 mL/min/1.73m 2 and 63 (32.0%) patients had an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73m 2 . Mean kidney/liver echogenicity ratio was 1.06±0.19 and it was inversely correlated with eGFR at follow-up (r=-0.684, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis was performed to create a histopathology index that correctly identifies irreversible advanced CKD. Renal echogenicity discriminatory capacity to identify irreversible advanced CKD was 0.793 (0.719 -0.867), similar to the histopathology index. Elevated renal echogenicity with best discriminatory capacity was a kidney/liver ratio greater than 1.15. This cutoff had a predictive positive value of 92% in patients with eGFR less than 30mL/min/1.73m 2 . Conclusion: Quantitative renal echogenicity can be a useful tool in patients with glomerular disease and normal kidney size (>8cm) to identify those patients with irreversible advanced CKD.
This study examines the potential contribution of graphic design practice to the assertion of the cultural identity of indigenous peoples. A graphic design intervention may be about increasing the ...power of self-representation of 'invisible' or misrepresented groups, enabling them to convey a recognizable identity, particularly through the use of visual symbols. We argue that this is not a matter of Western designers co-creating logos with indigenous stakeholders. A graphic design approach should encourage a collective reflection about the essential features that mark the identity of an indigenous community - in order to align contemporary representations with their cultural heritage and aspirations. This paper presents a five-year collaboration between designers and members of the Atikamekw Nation (Quebec, Canada). In this project, named Tapiskwan, we developed a methodology of graphic design workshops to enable Atikamekw artisans and youth to discover the value of their traditional symbols as meaningful forms of representation in the contemporary world.
O artigo tem como objetivo descrever o processo de elaboração do orçamento em uma instituição financeira pernambucana. O orçamento pode ser considerado um instrumento essencial no planejamento ...financeiro de uma organização. No entanto, este instrumento precisa estar alinhado com os objetivos institucionais, respaldando os gestores nas decisões. Para a realização da pesquisa, utilizou-se como método o estudo de caso, com levantamento dos dados por meio de entrevista e análise documental. Os resultados obtidos revelaram envolvimento do quadro funcional, na etapa do planejamento, bem como a forma hierarquizada de acompanhamento e controle do orçamento. Pode-se ainda perceber que algumas características das práticas orçamentárias adotadas pela Instituição Financeira (na elaboração, execução e controle) estão de acordo com aquelas encontradas na literatura, como o alinhamento do orçamento ao planejamento estratégico e a realização da comparação dos valores orçados com o realizado, como forma de controle.
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that causes bone loss. Some patients do not respond well to the classic treatment and need therapies that minimize bone loss, the main sequel of the disease.
...L. has stood out due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. However, no study has yet investigated its effect on periodontitis.
This study aimed to evaluate the bone protective effect of
L. (CAL) extract on ligature-induced periodontitis model in rats.
For this, a pre-clinical assay was performed, using male Wistar rats divided into 3 groups: Naive (N) (n=6), not submitted to any procedure; Saline (SAL) (n=6), submitted to ligature-induced periodontitis and receiving 2 ml/kg of 0.9% saline solution; and CAL extract, which was subdivided into 3 subgroups (n=6/subgroup) receiving the CAL at 3 (CAL3), 10 (CAL10) or 30 mg/kg (CAL30). All agents were given, by oral gavage, 30 min before periodontitis induction and daily until euthanasia (11
day). By then, maxillae were removed for macroscopic, histological, and histometric analyses. Kidneys, liver, and stomach were collected to evaluate the safety of CAL extract. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay was used to investigate the flavonoid content in the extract.
L. extract at 30mg/kg showed a reduction by 58% in bone loss marked by an increase (+35%) in the number of osteoblasts and a reduction (-51%) on the number of osteoclasts (
< 0.05). No significant alteration in the liver, kidney, or stomach was seen. Rutin was the main flavonoid found.
In summary, it was observed that
L. extract has shown important anti-inflammatory and bone anabolic and anti-resorptive properties without causing toxicity in the main organs. Rutin, as the main flavonoid of the extract, seems to be responsible for the beneficial effect of this agent.
Intestinal mucositis is a frequent side effect of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, characterized by a gastrointestinal inflammatory process. Epiisopiloturine is an imidazole alkaloid from
Pilocarpus ...microphyllus
Stapf ex Wardlew., Rutaceae, considered promising due to its high economic potential, since it is a by-product from the isolation of pilocarpine. In addition, this drug has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of epiisopiloturine on 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis. After extraction, epiisopiloturine was characterized by the application of chromatographic, spectroscopic, and thermal methods. In the
in vivo
study, the animals received a single 5-fluorouracil dose (450 mg/kg,
i.p
.) and, from the second to the fifth day, were treated with epiisopiloturine (0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg,
i.p
.). After euthanasia, the intestinal samples were removed for evaluation of morphometric and histopathological scores, the number of mast cells, goblet cells, circulating leukocytes, and the concentration of malondialdehyde and glutathione. Finally, we evaluated the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 by immunohistochemistry. Epiisopiloturine presented anti-inflammatory action through the reduction of inflammation indicators and oxidative stress. Epiisopiloturine also preserved the number of circulating leukocytes, contributed to the recovery of the tissue architecture, and restored the number of goblet cells in the small intestine. Thus, our findings suggest that epiisopiloturine protects the intestinal mucosa through inhibition of COX-2.
Graphical abstract
Objective
The aim of this work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiresorptive effects of
Calendula officinalis
(CLO) on alveolar bone loss (ABL) in rats.
Material and methods
Male Wistar ...rats were subjected to ABL by ligature with nylon thread around the second upper left molar. The contralateral hemimaxillae were used as control. Rats received saline solution (SAL) or CLO (10, 30, or 90 mg/kg) 30 min before ligature and daily until the 11th day. The maxillae were removed and prepared for macroscopic, radiographic, micro-tomographic, histopathologic, histometric analysis, and immunohistochemical localization of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG). The gingival tissues were used to quantify the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations by ELISA. Blood samples were collected for leukogram and to evaluate the bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) activity and serum levels of aspartate and alanine transaminases (AST/ALT).
Results
The bone loss induced by 11 days of ligature induced bone loss, reduced levels of BALP, leukocyte infiltration, increased MPO activity, gingival concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β, and RANKL while reduced OPG immunoexpressions in the periodontal tissue and leukocytosis. Of the CLO, 90 mg/kg reduced bone loss, neutrophilia, the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, and RANKL expression, while it increased OPG immunopositive cells and BALP serum levels, when compared to SAL. CLO did not affect either kidney or liver function, indicated by serum AST/ALT levels.
Conclusion
The present data suggests that CLO reduced inflammatory bone resorption in experimental periodontitis, which may be mediated by its anti-inflammatory properties and its effects on bone metabolism.
Clinical relevance
CLO can be a potential therapeutical adjuvant in the treatment of periodontitis.
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