Hypertrophy of the right ventricle by pulmonary artery banding in rats: a study of structural, functional, and transcriptomics alterations in the right and left ventricles.

Right ventricular remodeling with subsequent functional impairment can occur in some clinical conditions in adults and children. The triggering factors, molecular mechanisms, and, especially, the evolution over time are still not well known. Left ventricular (LV) changes associated with right ventricular (RV) remodeling are also poorly understood.

Electrotherapy for urethral modulation: Are extracellular matrix molecules and growth factors potential targets?

Aims: To evaluate the expression of genes and proteins involved in the urethral components: vessels, nerves, and extracellular matrix, in female rats after trauma by vaginal distension (VD) and after electrical stimulation therapy (electrotherapy).

Methods: We analyzed the urethras of three groups of 18 female rats 30 days posttrauma by VD: control (no interventions); trauma (animals that had VD); and electrotherapy group (those that had VD and were treated with electrical stimulation). We compared the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), collagen types I and III (COL1a1 and COL3a1), and lysyl-oxidase like 1 (LOXL1) among the groups.

Digitoxin Attenuates Heart Failure, Reduces Myocardial Hypertrophy, and Preserves the Calcium-Binding Proteins in Infarcted Rats.

We previously showed that digitoxin prolongs the survival of rats with heart failure due to myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we evaluated the effect of digitoxin on myocardial structure, ventricular function, and proteins involved in calcium kinetics. Seventy-two rats with MI >35% of the left ventricle were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups: sham (n = 15), digitoxin (n = 11), infarction (n = 20), and infarction + digitoxin (n = 26).

Increased angiogenesis in primary myelofibrosis: latent transforming growth factor-β as a possible angiogenic factor.

Objective: The aim of this work was to demonstrate a possible relationship between anti-latency-associated peptide human latent transforming growth factor beta 1 (latent TGF-β1) expression in megakaryocytes and microvascular density in bone marrow biopsies from patients with essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis.

Methods: Microvascular density was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis and the expression of latent TGF-β1 in samples (100 megakaryocytes per bone marrow sample) from 18 essential thrombocythemia and 38 primary myelofibrosis (19 prefibrotic and 19 fibrotic) patients. Six bone marrow donor biopsies were used as controls.

Kefir administration reduced progression of renal injury in STZ-diabetic rats by lowering oxidative stress.

This study aimed at assessing the effects of Kefir, a probiotic fermented milk, on oxidative stress in diabetic animals. The induction of diabetes was achieved in adult male Wistar rats using streptozotocin (STZ). The animals were distributed into four groups as follows: control (CTL); control Kefir (CTLK); diabetic (DM) and diabetic Kefir (DMK).

Immunoexpression of DIABLO, AIF and cytochrome C in gastric adenocarcinoma assessed by tissue Microarray.

The aim of this study was to analyze the immunoexpression of (Smac) DIABLO, AIF, cytochrome c, Ki-67 and cleaved caspase-3 in gastric cancer. A tissue microarray (TMA) paraffin block was constructed using gastric adenocarcinoma tissue and adjacent normal adjacent mucosa from 87 patients who had not previously undergone radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the protein levels.

An experimental model for the study of collagen fibers in skeletal muscle.

Purpose: To examine histological and histomorphometric techniques for measuring collagen in skeletal muscle.

Methods: The following staining methods were used in the study: hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, reticulin, and picrosirius red, and immunostaining for collagen types I, II, III, IV, and V. Histomorphometric measurements were performed using Corel PhotoPaint and UTHSCSA Image Tool 3.

The relationship of the active and latent forms of TGF-β1 with marrow fibrosis in essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis.

The aim of this study was to perform an immunohistochemical analysis from 100 megakaryocytes per sample, analyzing positivity and intensity levels of anti-LAP human TGF-β1 (or Latent TGF-β1) and anti-TGF-β1 (or Active TGF-β1) antibodies from 18 essential thrombocythemia (ET) and 38 primary myelofibrosis (PMF) patients (being 19 pre-fibrotic and 19 fibrotic). Six bone marrow donor biopsies were used as controls. Fibrosis in bone marrow biopsies (BMB) was evaluated according to the European Consensus.

The role of metalloendopeptidases in oropharyngeal carcinomas assessed by tissue microarray.

The goal of this study was to investigate the expression of some metalloendopeptidases in squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx as well as its relation to histological differentiation, staging of disease, and prognosis. Paraffin blocks from 21 primary tumors were obtained from archives of the Department of Pathology, Paulista Medical School, Federal University of Sao Paulo, UNIFESP/EPM. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of EP24.

Immunohistochemical analysis of collagen content and types in the rectus abdominis muscle of cadavers of different ages.

Purpose: To assess the collagen content and types in the rectus abdominis muscle of cadavers of different ages.

Methods: Forty fresh adult male cadavers, at room temperature, were obtained from the Institute of Legal Medicine of Franca and dissected within 24 hours of death. The cadavers were divided into two groups: Group A (n=20), 18 to 30 years of age, and Group B (n=20), 31 to 60 years of age.

MPL immunohistochemical expression as a novel marker for essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis differential diagnosis.

To evaluate the grading of fibrosis and immunohistochemical expression of MPL in bone marrow biopsies of ET and PMF. Fibrosis in bone marrow biopsies (BMBs) was evaluated according to the European Consensus for grading of fibrosis, according to reticulin proliferation. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed in samples from 18 ET and 38 PMF patients: 19 were classified as pre-fibrotic and 19 were classified as fibrotic according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, by means of the MPL antibody.

Protective effects of green tea against hepatic injury induced by high-cholesterol diet in rats: histopathological analysis, oxidative DNA damage and COX-2 expression.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to investigate whether daily administration of green tea is able to protect the liver injury induced by cholesterol.

Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 24) were distributed into four groups: group 1, negative control; group 2, cholesterol at 1% (w/w) in the diet treated for 5 weeks; group 3, cholesterol at 1% treated for 5 weeks and green tea at 1% (w/v) in drinking water in the last week only and group 4, cholesterol and green tea at 1% in drinking water for 5 weeks.

Results: The results pointed out that treatment with green tea in the last week (group 3) showed mild degenerative changes of liver tissue in cholesterol exposed group when compared to group 2.

Grape juice concentrate prevents oxidative DNA damage in peripheral blood cells of rats subjected to a high-cholesterol diet.

The goal of the present study was to investigate whether subchronic treatment with grape juice concentrate is able to protect liver and peripheral blood cells against cholesterol-induced injury in rats. The effects of the grape juice concentrate treatment on histopathological changes, immunohistochemistry for cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), and basal and oxidative DNA damage induced by H2O2 using a single-cell gel (comet) assay were evaluated. Male Wistar rats (n 18) were divided into three groups: group 1--negative control; group 2--cholesterol at 1 % (w/w) in their diet, treated for 5 weeks; group 3--cholesterol at 1 % in their chow, treated for 5 weeks, and grape juice concentrate at 222 mg/d in their drinking-water in the final week only.

Resident peritoneal inflammatory cells are pivotal in the development of experimental atherosclerosis.

Aim: Based on evidence that ionizing radiation can ameliorate chronic and autoimmune diseases in patients and experimental animals, we investigated the effects of radiation on the induction and development of experimental atherogenesis.

Methods: Male New Zealand rabbits were divided into 5 groups and given an atherogenic diet for 90 days. Peritoneal and thoracic areas (9 Gy) were irradiated on the 1st and 45th days for groups 1 and 2, the 45th day for groups 3 and 4, and not at all for group 5.

Exercise training prevents beta-adrenergic hyperactivity-induced myocardial hypertrophy and lesions.

Background: Sustained beta-adrenoreceptor activation promotes cardiac hypertrophy and cellular injury.

Aims: To evaluate the cardioprotective effect of exercise on damage induced by beta-adrenergic hyperactivity.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomised into four groups (n=8 per group): sedentary non-treated control (C), sedentary treated with isoproterenol 0.

Damaging effects of intense repetitive treadmill running on murine intestinal musculature.

Several gastrointestinal symptoms associated with prolonged intense exercise (IE) have been reported, although the mechanisms underlying its effects on the intestine remain poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether IE may induce oxidative stress in the intestine, as well as its possible relationship with intestinal signaling impairments, leading to contractile disturbances. C57BL/6 mice were submitted to 4 days (EX.

Aerobic exercise affects C57BL/6 murine intestinal contractile function.

This study investigated the influence of a moderate exercise training program on the intestinal contractility based on the hypothesis that this organ may endure repetitive periods of ischemia-reperfusion events during moderate aerobic training (10, 25, 40, and 55 days of 60-min treadmill running at 13-21 m/min, 5 days/week). The adaptation of the animal to this program was assessed by significant increase of animal physical performance associated with a mild increase in the wet heart mass-to-body mass ratio. The endurance exercise training caused functional changes of the C57BL/6 ileum contractility, mainly causing a significant reduction of the efficacy of both the electro- (KCl) and pharmacomechanical (acetylcholine, [2-lysine]-angiotensin II, and bradykinin) couplings after 55 days of moderate treadmill running.

Habitual exercise program protects murine intestinal, skeletal, and cardiac muscles against aging.

Aging and aerobic exercise are two conditions known to interfere with health and quality of life, most likely by inducing oxidative stress to the organism. We studied the effects of aging on the morphological and functional properties of skeletal, cardiac, and intestinal muscles and their corresponding oxidative status in C57BL/6 mice and investigated whether a lifelong moderate exercise program would exert a protective effect against some deleterious effects of aging. As expected, aged animals presented a significant reduction of physical performance, accompanied by a decrease of gastrocnemius cross-sectional area and cardiac hypertrophy.

High glucose levels abolish antiatherosclerotic benefits of ACE inhibition in alloxan-induced diabetes in rabbits.

Renin-angiotensin system activation is recognized to play an important role in atherosclerosis. This study aimed to verify the antiatherosclerotic effects of ACE inhibition on an experimental model of diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Diabetes was induced in New Zealand male rabbits with a single dose of alloxan (100 mg/kg, i.

Comparison between the effects of soy milk and non-fat cow milk on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.

Objective: This study assessed whether the consumption of soy milk could add significantly to the lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in comparison with non-fat milk.

Methods: A double-blind, randomized, crossover study was conducted on 60 outpatients with primary hypercholesterolemia following a lipid-lowering diet for at least 6 wk. Lipid profile was obtained at baseline and at 6 and 12 wk, with the patients randomly assigned to receive initially 1 L/d of soy milk or non-fat cow milk for 6 wk.

Risk Factors, biochemical markers, and genetic polymorphisms in early coronary artery disease.

Objective: To assess the risk factors, lipid and apolipoprotein profile, hemostasis variables, and polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein AI-CIII gene in early coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Case-control study with 112 patients in each group controlled by sex and age. After clinical evaluation and nutritional instruction, blood samples were collected for biochemical assays and genetic study.

Early benefits of pravastatin to experimentally induced atherosclerosis.

There is little information regarding the time of hypolipidemic treatment of changes in atherosclerotic plaque, tissue cholesterol content, and also for the recovery of endothelial function. To assess the early effects of lipid-lowering treatment on these parameters, six groups of New Zealand male rabbits were studied. Animals in groups I and II were fed regular chow; groups III and IV received a 12-week 0.