Long-Term Treatment with Cannabidiol-Enriched Extract Induces Synaptic Changes in the Adolescent Rat Hippocampus.

The endocannabinoid system (eCS) is widely distributed in mammalian tissues and it is classically formed by cannabinoid receptors, endogenous bioactive lipids and its synthesis and degradation enzymes. Due to the modulatory role of eCS in synaptic activity in the Central Nervous System (CNS), phytocannabinoids have been increasingly used for the treatment of neurological disorders, even though little is known in terms of the long-term effect of these treatments on CNS development, mainly in the timeframe that comprises childhood and adolescence. Furthermore, an increased number of clinical trials using full-spectrum extracts has been seen, rather than the isolated form of phytocannabinoids, when exploring the therapeutical benefits of the plant.

Activation of cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1) modulates oligodendroglial process branching complexity in rat hippocampal cultures stimulated by olfactory ensheathing glia-conditioned medium.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) refers to a complex cell-signaling system highly conserved among species formed by numerous receptors, lipid mediators (endocannabinoids) and synthetic and degradative enzymes. It is widely distributed throughout the body including the CNS, where it participates in synaptic signaling, plasticity and neurodevelopment. Besides, the olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) present in the olfactory system is also known to play an important role in the promotion of axonal growth and/or myelination.

Phytocannabinoids and Cannabis-Based Products as Alternative Pharmacotherapy in Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Hypothesis to Clinical Practice.

Historically, Cannabis is one of the first plants to be domesticated and used in medicine, though only in the last years the amount of Cannabis-based products or medicines has increased worldwide. Previous preclinical studies and few published clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of Cannabis-based medicines in humans. Indeed, Cannabis-related medicines are used to treat multiple pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders.

Early Effects of Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Adipose Tissue Mesenchymal Cells in Renal Ischemia Followed by Reperfusion: Mechanisms Rely on a Decrease in Mitochondrial Anion Superoxide Production.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R) is characterized by intense anion superoxide (O) production and oxidative damage. We investigated whether extracellular vesicles secreted by adipose tissue mesenchymal cells (EVs) administered during reperfusion can suppress the exacerbated mitochondrial O formation after I/R. We used Wistar rats subjected to bilateral renal arterial clamping (30 min) followed by 24 h of reperfusion.

Cannabinoid Therapeutics in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: From Animal Research to Human Treatment.

Despite the importance of pain as a warning physiological system, chronic neuropathic pain is frequently caused by damage in the nervous system, followed by persistence over a long period, even in the absence of dangerous stimuli or after healing of injuries. Chronic neuropathic pain affects hundreds of millions of adults worldwide, creating a direct impact on quality of life. This pathology has been extensively characterized concerning its cellular and molecular mechanisms, and the endocannabinoid system (eCS) is widely recognized as pivotal in the development of chronic neuropathic pain.

Experimental ischemia/reperfusion model impairs endocannabinoid signaling and Na/K ATPase expression and activity in kidney proximal tubule cells.

LLC-PK1 cells, an immortalized epithelial cell line derived from pig renal proximal tubules, express all the major players of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) such as CB1, CB2 and TRPV1 receptors, as well as the main enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of the major endocannabinoids named 2-arachidonoylglycerol, 2-AG and anandamide, AEA. Here we investigated whether the damages caused by ischemic insults either in vitro using LLC-PK1 cells exposed to antimycin A (an inductor of ATP-depletion) or in vivo using Wistar rats in a classic renal ischemia and reperfusion (IR) protocol, lead to changes in AEA and 2-AG levels, as well as altered expression of genes from the main enzymes involved in the regulation of the ECS. Our data show that the mRNA levels of the CB1 receptor gene were downregulated, while the transcript levels of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the main 2-AG degradative enzyme, were upregulated in LLC-PK1 cells after IR model.

Bioactive lipids are altered in the kidney of chronic undernourished rats: is there any correlation with the progression of prevalent nephropathies?

Background: Undernutrition during childhood leads to chronic diseases in adult life including hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Here we explore the hypothesis that physiological alterations in the bioactive lipids pattern within kidney tissue might be involved in the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Methods: Membrane fractions from kidney homogenates of undernourished rats (RBD) were submitted to lipid extraction and analysis by thin layer chromatography and cholesterol determination.

Neuro-glial cannabinoid receptors modulate signaling in the embryonic avian retina.

Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipids that activate selective G protein coupled receptors (CB and CB), mostly found at neuronal presynaptic sites in the nervous system. One of the main consequences of the activation of CB receptors is a decrease in GABA or glutamate release, controlling cell excitability. Here we studied the expression of CB and CB receptors in E8C8 cultured retina cells (embryonic day 8 and 8 days in vitro) using immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis.

Mechanisms involving Ang II and MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathways underlie cardiac and renal alterations during chronic undernutrition.

Background: Several studies have correlated protein restriction associated with other nutritional deficiencies with the development of cardiovascular and renal diseases. The driving hypothesis for this study was that Ang II signaling pathways in the heart and kidney are affected by chronic protein, mineral and vitamin restriction.

Methodology/principal Findings: Wistar rats aged 90 days were fed from weaning with either a control or a deficient diet that mimics those used in impoverished regions worldwide.

Production, purification and therapeutic potential of egg yolk antibodies for treating Trypanosoma evansi infection.

The use of avian antibodies has aroused interest in biomedical research due to the numerous advantages compared to mammal's antibodies. Our study aimed to produce and purify IgY immunoglobulins in order to use as an alternative therapy against Trypanosoma evansi. Every 14 days, four New Hampshire chickens were immunized with trypomastigotes of T.

[Descamative interstitial pneumonia in a patient with undifferentiated connective-tissue disease].

A 49 year-old Caucasian male, smoker (15 pack-year), had at the beginning of his disease an additive, symmetric polyarthritis, affecting predominantly the small joints of the hands, wrists, shoulders and tibiotarsal joints. The autoimmune study revealed ANA and anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies positivity. An undifferentiated connective tissue disease was diagnosed and treatment with deflazacort, naproxen and hydroxychloroquine was begun.

Case report: Feline infection by Lagochilascaris sp. in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Lagochilascariosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the nematode Lagochilascaris sp., with the northern of Brazil representing 81.2% of all reports of the disease worldwide.

[Portuguese recommendations for pain management by pharmocotherapy in inflammatory arthritis].

Objectives: To develop Portuguese evidence-based recommendations for pain management by pharmocotherapy in inflammatory arthritis.

Methods: The Portuguese project was integrated in the multinational 3E Initiative (Evidence, Expertise, Exchange) 2010 where a total of 453 rheumatologists from 17 countries have participated. The clinical questions concerning pain were formulated and the Portuguese group added 2 more questions.

Reduced cholesterol levels in renal membranes of undernourished rats may account for urinary Na⁺ loss.

Purpose: It has been demonstrated that reabsorption of Na⁺ in the thick ascending limb is reduced and the ability to concentrate urine can be compromised in undernourished individuals. Alterations in phospholipid and cholesterol content in renal membranes, leading to Na⁺ loss and the inability to concentrate urine, were investigated in undernourished rats.

Methods: Sixty-day-old male Wistar rats were utilized to evaluate (1) phospholipid and cholesterol content in the membrane fraction of whole kidneys, (2) cholesterol content and the levels of active Na⁺ transporters, (Na⁺ + K⁺)ATPase and Na⁺-ATPase, in basolateral membranes of kidney proximal tubules, and (3) functional indicators of medullary urine concentration.

[Arthritis and clinical history].

In front of a patient with arthritis, clinical good-sense tells that the most probable diagnosis are the most prevalent ones. Nevertheless, we have to exclude a multiplicity of other aetiologies, less frequent, but with highest implications in the therapeutic conduct. Infections by Brucella and by Borrelia are rare causes of chronic arthritis, yet are diagnosis to consider, even when the clinical manifestations aren't the most typical, as there still exist endemic areas in Portugal.

[Practical guide for the use of biological agents in rheumatoid arthritis - December 2011 update].

The authors review the practical aspects of biological therapy use for rheumatoid arthritis patients, commenting safety issues before and after treatment initiation and the best treatment strategies to optimize efficacy.

Vasculitic neuropathy.

Vasculitic neuropathy corresponds to the occurrence of vasculitis at the level of vasa nervorum, resulting in ischemic damage of the peripheral nerve and axonal degeneration. Vasculitic neuropathy commonly occurs in association with systemic diseases and may be the initial manifestation or arise in the course of established disease. Although rare, vasculitis can be confined to the peripheral nervous system - non-systemic vasculitic neuropathy.

Polyarticular lipoma arborescens--a clinical and aesthetical case.

Lipoma arborescens is a benign tumor, but it may be a reactive process to other disorders, and its clinical, analytical, radiological and ultrasound presentation may be redundant to any synovial tumor. Despite the characteristic feature on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the correct differential diagnosis in atypical presentation, and the need for timely removal of the lesion to prevent joint damage, forces, ultimately, to invasive procedures. The clinical case reported here, fourth described in English language publications on the polyarticular form, also presented other specificities related to one of the swellings, in the knee.

Amyloidosis secondary to rheumatic diseases - 16 cases.

Introduction: Secondary amyloidosis (SA) results of tissue deposition of an acute phase reactant protein produced by chronic inflammation. Its incidence appears to be declining, following the improvement of medical care to primary diseases. Our aim is to assess a group of Portuguese patients with amyloidosis secondary to inflammatory rheumatic diseases, and their evolution over the past 10 years.

[Vitamin D measurement in Portuguese patients with fragility fractures].

Objectives: Osteoporosis is a «silent epidemic», resulting from a combination of many possible causal and risk factors, which prevalence depend on particular features of the population. The authors propose to characterize some of these elements, with special attention to vitamin D (vitD) levels, in a Portuguese population at risk, selected on the basis of a history of prior fragility fracture.

Methods: Participants were selected from the computerized list of discharges from all hospitalized patients in a Central Hospital in Oporto, between the dates 1/1/2002 and 31/12/2004, with the diagnosis of low-impact fracture of the wrist.

[Osteoporotic fractures in pregnancy - conjunction of factors?].

Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis is rare and self--limiting. We report two clinical cases, with beginning of back pain during a 1st pregnancy. In the 1st case, the pain became severe after a fall, and she had other risk factors of fracture, like low calcium intake, and a treatment with thyroid hormones for weight loss.