Oscillatory ventilation enhances oxygenation and reduces inflammation in an animal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome: an experimental study.

Background: This study aims to compare the use of variable mechanical ventilation with conventional mechanical ventilation in a porcine model of ARDS induced by oleic acid.

Methods: The animals were divided into two groups (n = 6), Conventional Ventilation (CO) and variable ventilation with Bi-Oscillatory PEEP (BiPEEP). ARDS was induced using intravenous oleic acid (0.

Evaluation of systemic inflammation in patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate systemic inflammatory factors and their relation to success or failure in a spontaneous ventilation test.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 54 adult patients. Demographic data and clinical parameters were collected, and blood samples were collected in the first minute of the spontaneous ventilation test to evaluate interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and C-reactive protein.

Uncoupling protein-2 mRNA expression in mice subjected to intermittent hypoxia.

Objective: To investigate the effect of intermittent hypoxia-a model of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-on pancreatic expression of uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2), as well as on glycemic and lipid profiles, in C57BL mice.

Methods: For 8 h/day over a 35-day period, male C57BL mice were exposed to intermittent hypoxia (hypoxia group) or to a sham procedure (normoxia group). The intermittent hypoxia condition involved exposing mice to an atmosphere of 92% N and 8% CO2 for 30 s, progressively reducing the fraction of inspired oxygen to 8 ± 1%, after which they were exposed to room air for 30 s and the cycle was repeated (480 cycles over the 8-h experimental period).

Antioxidants inhibit the inflammatory and apoptotic processes in an intermittent hypoxia model of sleep apnea.

Background: Sleep apnea causes intermittent hypoxia (IH). We aimed to investigate the proteins related to oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in liver tissue subjected to IH as a simulation of sleep apnea in conjunction with the administration of either melatonin (MEL, 200 μL/kg) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 10 mg/kg).

Methods: Seventy-two adult male Balb-C mice were divided: simulation of IH (SIH), SIH + MEL, SIH + NAC, IH, IH + MEL and IH + NAC.

N-acetylcysteine administration confers lung protection in different phases of lung ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

Objectives: To verify the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administered before and after ischaemia in an animal model of lung ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.

Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were subjected to an experimental model of selective left pulmonary hilar clamping for 45 min followed by 2 h of reperfusion. The animals were divided into four groups: control group (SHAM), ischaemia-reperfusion, N-acetylcysteine-preischaemia (NAC-Pre) and NAC-postischaemia (NAC-Post).

Effect of the systemic administration of methylprednisolone on the lungs of brain-dead donor rats undergoing pulmonary transplantation.

Objective: Most lung transplants are obtained from brain-dead donors. The physiopathology of brain death involves hemodynamics, the sympathetic nervous system, and inflammatory mechanisms. Administering methylprednisolone 60 min after inducing brain death in rats has been shown to modulate pulmonary inflammatory activity.

Endobronchial perfluorocarbon reduces inflammatory activity before and after lung transplantation in an animal experimental model.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) as an adjuvant substance for lung preservation and assess its role in pulmonary protection after transplantation.

Methods: Seventy-two rat lungs were flushed with low-potassium dextran (LPD) solution and randomized into three main groups: control with LPD alone and experimental with 3 (PFC3) and 7 mL/kg (PFC7) of endobronchial PFC instilled just after harvest. Each group was divided into four subgroups according to preservation time (3, 6, 12, and 24 hours).

Serum levels and polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in carotid artery atherosclerosis: higher MMP-9 levels are associated with plaque vulnerability.

Context: Matrix metalloproteinases are involved in atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability.

Objective: To investigate serum levels and genetic polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -1, -3 and -9 in patients submitted to carotid endarterectomy.

Methods: Genetic polymorphisms were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP); serum levels were measured using ELISA; histological sections were stained with Picrosirius Red to analyze the fibrous cap thickness, lipid core and collagen content and with hematoxylin--eosin to detect the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage.

Downregulation of uncoupling protein-1 mRNA expression and hypoadiponectinemia in a mouse model of sleep apnea.

Purpose: The knowledge on the effect of intermittent hypoxia on adipose tissue-mediated processes is incipient. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a sleep apnea model on a limited set of specific molecular, biochemical, histological, and behavioral parameters of adipose tissue function.

Methods: Mice were exposed to either intermittent hypoxia or sham hypoxia during 8 h a day for 37 days.

Neurobehavioral effects of L-carnitine and its ability to modulate genotoxicity and oxidative stress biomarkers in mice.

L-Carnitine, a natural vitamin-like compound supplied to the body by biosynthesis and dietary sources, has been shown to exert beneficial effects in disorders affecting cardiovascular, urinary, and nervous systems. However, the paucity of data on its effects does not guarantee the safe use of L-carnitine as a nutritional supplement, and further pre-clinical studies are required to assess toxicological aspects. The present study evaluated the effects of L-carnitine (10, 50 or, 100 mg/kg) in mice, in the open field test.

Effects of methylprednisolone on inflammatory activity and oxidative stress in the lungs of brain-dead rats.

Objective: To evaluate the effects that early and late systemic administration of methylprednisolone have on lungs in a rat model of brain death.

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were anesthetized and randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 per group): sham-operated (sham); brain death only (BD); brain death plus methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg i.v.

Endobronchial perfluorocarbon administration decreases lung injury in an experimental model of ischemia and reperfusion.

Objective: To verify the effects of liquid endobronchial perfluorocarbon (PFC) administered before reperfusion in an animal model of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods: Eighteen Wistar rats were subjected to an experimental model of selective left pulmonary artery clamping for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h. The animals were divided into three groups: the ischemia-reperfusion (IR) group, the sham group, and the PFC group.

Quercetin decreases liver damage in mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a frequent condition in obese patients that may progress to end-stage liver disease. This study was designed to evaluate the modulation of this condition by use of quercetin (Q), a flavonoid largely found in vegetable foods, with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in the experimental model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) using a diet deficient in methionine and choline (MCD). Male C57BL6 mice were divided into four groups (n = 16): (i) Control plus vehicle (control ration plus carboxymethylcellulose 1% used as vehicle, CO + V); (ii) Control ration plus Q 50 mg/kg (CO + Q); (iii) MCD diet plus vehicle (NASH + V); and (iv) MCD diet plus Q (NASH + Q).

Oxidative stress and pulmonary changes in experimental liver cirrhosis.

The use of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in rats is an experimental model of hepatic tissue damage; which leads to fibrosis, and at the long term, cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the consequence of progressive continued liver damage, it may be reversible when the damaging noxae have been withdrawn. The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes caused by cirrhosis in lung and liver, through the experimental model of intraperitoneal CCI(4) administration.

Simulating sleep apnea by exposure to intermittent hypoxia induces inflammation in the lung and liver.

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that results from momentary and cyclic collapse of the upper airway, leading to intermittent hypoxia (IH). IH can lead to the formation of free radicals that increase oxidative stress, and this mechanism may explain the association between central sleep apnea and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. We assessed the level of inflammation in the lung and liver tissue from animals subjected to intermittent hypoxia and simulated sleep apnea.

Altered aquaporins in the brains of mice submitted to intermittent hypoxia model of sleep apnea.

Rostral fluid displacement has been proposed as a pathophysiologic mechanism of both central and obstructive sleep apnea. Aquaporins are membrane proteins that regulate water transport across the cell membrane and are involved in brain edema formation and resolution. The present study investigated the effect of intermittent hypoxia (IH), a model of sleep apnea, on brain aquaporins.

When is injury potentially reversible in a lung ischemia-reperfusion model?

Objective: To verify the impact of ischemic time on lung cell viability in an experimental model of lung ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury and its repercussion on lung performance after reperfusion.

Methods: Twenty-four animals were subjected to selective clamping of the left pulmonary artery and divided into four groups (n = 6) according to ischemic time: 15 (IR15), 30 (IR30), 45 (IR45), and 60 min (IR60). All animals were observed for 120 min after reperfusion.

Blood collection for biochemical analysis in adult zebrafish.

The zebrafish has been used as an animal model for studies of several human diseases. It can serve as a powerful preclinical platform for studies of molecular events and therapeutic strategies as well as for evaluating the physiological mechanisms of some pathologies. There are relatively few publications related to adult zebrafish physiology of organs and systems, which may lead researchers to infer that the basic techniques needed to allow the exploration of zebrafish systems are lacking.

Methionine- and choline-deficient diet induces hepatic changes characteristic of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Context: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is a disease with a high incidence, difficult diagnosis, and as yet no effective treatment. So, the use of experimental models for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induction and the study of its routes of development have been studied.

Objectives: This study was designed to develop an experimental model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis based on a methionine- and choline-deficient diet that is manufactured in Brazil so as to evaluate the liver alterations resulting from the disorder.

Aminoguanidine reduces oxidative stress and structural lung changes in experimental diabetes mellitus.

We evaluated the effect of aminoguanidine on pulmonary oxidative stress and lung structure in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), histology and arterial blood gases were evaluated in animals with diabetes mellitus (DM group), animals with diabetes mellitus treated with aminoguanidine (DM+AG group), and controls. The TBARS levels were significantly higher in the DM group than in the control and DM+AG groups (2.