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Biomedical subjects

I L Sinhorini

Publications and source records attributed to I L Sinhorini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Morphological changes in mouse embryos cryopreserved by different techniques.

Cryopreservation of mammalian embryos is an important tool for the application of reproductive biotechnologies. Subjective evaluation to determine embryo viability is often used. The determination of the best cryopreservation protocol depends on morphological and molecular analysis of cellular injuries. The main objective of this study was to compare two methods of cryopreservation by assessing morphological alterations of frozen embryos using light, fluorescence, and transmission electron microscope. Fresh (control), slow frozen, and vitrified mouse embryos were composed. To evaluate the viability of the embryos, the cell membrane integrity was assessed using Hoechst33342 and propidium iodide (H/PI) staining. Morphological analyses using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were performed to test different techniques (in situ, paraffin, and historesin) by both light and fluorescence microscopy. Transmission electron microscope was used to detect ultrastructural alterations in Spurr- and Araldite-embedded samples. H/PI staining detected more membrane permeability in the vitrification (69.8%) than in the slow freezing (48.4%) or control (13.8%) groups (P < 0.001). Historesin-embedded samples showed to be more suitable for morphological analyses because cellular structures were better identified. Nuclear evaluation in historesin sections showed the induction of pycnosis in slow freezing and vitrification groups. Cytoplasm evaluation revealed a condensation and an increase in eosinophilic intensity (indicating apoptosis) in the slow freezing group, and weakly eosinophilic structures and degenerated cells (indicating oncosis) in the vitrification group (P < 0.05). Ultrastructural analyses confirmed HE morphological findings. It was concluded that both cryopreservation techniques resulted in oncosis and apoptosis injuries. However, vitrification caused more severe cellular alterations and reduced embryonic viability compared to slow freezing.

Animals↗

Delayed Schwann cell and oligodendrocyte remyelination after ethidium bromide injection in the brainstem of Wistar rats submitted to streptozotocin diabetogenic treatment.

Schwann cell disturbance followed by segmental demyelination in the peripheral nervous system occurs in diabetic patients. Since Schwann cell and oligodendrocyte remyelination in the central nervous system is a well-known event in the ethidium bromide (EB) demyelinating model, the aim of this investigation was to determine the behavior of both cell types after local EB injection into the brainstem of streptozotocin diabetic rats. Adult male Wistar rats received a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and were submitted 10 days later to a single injection of 10 microL 0.1% (w/v) EB or 0.9% saline solution into the cisterna pontis. Ten microliters of 0.1% EB was also injected into non-diabetic rats. The animals were anesthetized and perfused through the heart 7 to 31 days after EB or saline injection and brainstem sections were collected and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. The final balance of myelin repair in diabetic and non-diabetic rats at 31 days was compared using a semi-quantitative method. Diabetic rats presented delayed macrophage activity and lesser remyelination compared to non-diabetic rats. Although oligodendrocytes were the major remyelinating cells in the brainstem, Schwann cells invaded EB-induced lesions, first appearing at 11 days in non-diabetic rats and by 15 days in diabetic rats. Results indicate that short-term streptozotocin-induced diabetes hindered both oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell remyelination (mean remyelination scores of 2.57 +/- 0.77 for oligodendrocytes and 0.67 +/- 0.5 for Schwann cells) compared to non-diabetic rats (3.27 +/- 0.85 and 1.38 +/- 0.81, respectively).

Animals↗

The role of complement in the early phase of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis infection in BALB/c mice.

Complement-depleted and -non-depleted BALB/c mice were inoculated with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis promastigotes into the hind footpad to study the role of the complement system in cutaneous leishmaniasis. Total serum complement activity was measured by hemolytic assay and C3 fragment deposit at the inoculation site was determined by direct immunofluorescence in the early period of infection, i.e., at 3, 24, 48 h and 7 days post-infection. The inflammatory reaction and the parasite burden were evaluated in the skin lesion at 7 and 30 days post-infection. Total serum complement activity decreased in the early phase of infection, from 3 to 24 h, in non-depleted mice compared to non-infected and non-depleted mice. C3 fragment deposit at the site of parasite inoculation was present throughout the period of infection in non-depleted mice. In contrast, no C3 fragment deposit was observed at the inoculation site in complement-depleted mice. Complement-depleted mice showed a significant decrease in the inflammatory response and a significant increase in the number of parasites (70.0 +/- 5.3 vs 5.3 +/- 1.5) at 7 days of infection (P<0.05). A higher number of parasites were also present at 30 days of infection at the inoculation site of complement-depleted mice (78.5 +/- 24.9 vs 6.3 +/- 5.7). These experiments indicate that complement has an important role at the beginning of experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (L.) amazonensis by controlling the number of parasites in the lesion.

Animals↗

Histopathologic patterns of nephropathy in naturally acquired canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Although the nephropathy of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is known both in humans and dogs, histopathologic alterations have not been thoroughly studied. We examined renal alterations in 55 dogs with naturally acquired VL compared with five noninfected dogs from an endemic area in northeastern Brazil. Glomerulonephritis was found in 55 dogs, interstitial alterations in 53 dogs, and tubular changes in 43 dogs with VL. The glomerular alterations found were minor glomerular abnormalities (n = 8, 14.5%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (n = 10, 18.2%), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (n = 17, 32.7%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, (n = 18, 30.9%), crescentic glomerulonephritis (n = 1, 1.8%), and chronic glomerulonephritis (n = 1, 1.8%). Morphometric and ultrastructural studies complemented the analysis. The five control animals exhibited no glomerular alterations. The glomerular lesions were related to functional alterations. Considering that the alterations of canine and human nephropathy in VL are very similar, the data obtained in this study constitute an important contribution to the understanding of canine and human VL nephropathy.

Animals↗

Susceptibility and features of the ultrastructure of Prototheca zopfii following exposure to copper sulphate, silver nitrate and chlorexidine.

One of the most important forms of the occurrence of protothecosis is bovine mastitis. Studies on the "in vivo" and "in vitro" susceptibility to antimicrobials have shown that the microorganism is resistant to most of them. Looking for alternative treatments this study aimed to study the susceptibility to copper sulphate (which has an important algicide effect) and silver nitrate (used in dairy cattle breeding for the cauterization of mammary glands) and also to chlorexidine (an important post-dipping anti-septic used in dairy practice), and the effect of these antimicrobials in the ultrastructure of Prototheca zopfii before and after the exposure to these drugs. The "in vitro" susceptibility tests to chlorexidine, silver nitrate and copper sulphate of the strains of Prototheca zopfii for the determination of their minimal microbicidal concentrations (MMC), were performed using the tube dilution method in Sabouraud dextrose broth and evaluation of colony growth after plating in Sabouraud dextrose agar. The MMCs of chlorexidine, copper sulphate and silver nitrate of the 50 strains tested were 0.01%, 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively. The tubes containing the material used in the antimicrobial susceptibility tests were prepared for the examination in an electron microscope. The untreated controls of P. zopfii showed a similar ultrastructural appearance with the typical characteristics of the microorganism. Cells exposed to silver nitrate showed changes suggesting thickness of the cell wall. Cells exposed to chlorexidine showed changes suggesting degradation of intra-cellular organelles present in the cytoplasm. P. zopfii treated with copper sulphate showed changes suggesting fibrilation of inner layer of cell wall.

Animals↗

Occurrence of cattle Sarcocystis species in raw kibbe from Arabian food establishments in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and experimental transmission to humans.

Fifty samples of raw kibbe from 25 Arabian restaurants in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were examined for the presence of bovine Sarcocystis species, using light and electron microscopy, and for infectivity to humans. Sarcocysts were found in all 50 samples. Based on cyst wall structure, S. hominis (94%), S. hirsuta (70%), and S. cruzi (92%) were identified (mostly as mixed infections). Different raw kibbe samples, positive for S. hominis in fresh preparations, were offered as a meal for 7 human volunteers. Six volunteers (85.7%), 2 of whom developed diarrhea, excreted sporocysts in feces. The prepatent period lasted 10-14 (12 +/- 1.8) days and the patent period lasted 5-12 (8.8 +/- 1.1) days.

Adult↗

Toxicity testing of Senna occidentalis seed in rabbits.

The effect was investigated of administering ground Senna occidentalis seeds to rabbits in different concentrations (1%, 2%, 3% and 4%) in the ration. The experiment lasted 30 days and the toxic effects of the plant were evaluated on the basis of weight gain, histopathological, biochemical and morphometric parameters, as well as histochemistry and electron microscopy. Animals that received the ration containing 4% ground S. occidentalis seeds gained less weight (p < 0.05) and died in the third week. Histopathology revealed that the heart and liver were the main organs affected, with myocardial necrosis and centrolobular degeneration. There was a reduction in cytochrome oxidase activity in the glycogenolytic fibres, together with muscle atrophy, confirmed by the morphometric studies. Electron microscopy of the liver cells revealed dilated mitochondria, with destruction of the internal cristae.

Animal Feed↗

The effect of cyclophosphamide on brainstem remyelination following local ethidium bromide injection in Wistar rats.

Long-term cyclophosphamide (CY) treatment was used in male Wistar rats submitted to ethidium bromide (EB) demyelinating model to investigate ultrastructurally the drug effects on remyelination and on central nervous system (CNS) tissue repair. Demyelination was induced by a single 10 microl intracisternal injection of 0.1% EB solution and the rats anaesthetized and perfused through the heart from the 15th to the 31st day after injection. Brainstem sections were collected and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy studies. At different times after EB injection, it was observed the presence of macrophages in phagocytic activity and non-degraded myelin debris in the extracellular space, as well as remyelinated and demyelinated axons. Remyelination was carried out by both oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells, the latter notably around blood vessels and in areas of expanded extracellular space. It was also noted groups of infiltrating meningeal cells and astrocytes showing hypertrophic processes with numerous bundles of glial filaments. The rats treated with CY showed greater amounts of myelin-derived membranes than non-treated rats, suggesting a delay in the macrophage activity of removing myelin debris. Additionally oligodendrocyte remyelinating activity showed an incipient and restricted pattern, with clear predominance of naked axons. Rare lymphocytes were also found, as well as decreased neovascularization.

Animals↗

The role of natural killer cells in the early period of infection in murine cutaneous leishmaniasis.

In order to study the role of natural killer (NK) cells during the early period of Leishmania infection, BALB/c mice were selectively and permanently depleted of NK cells by injection with 90Sr and subsequently infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis (HSJD-1 strain). 90Sr is known to selectively deplete NK cells, leaving an intact T- and B-cell compartment and preserving the ability to produce both interferon alpha and IL-2. This method of depletion has advantages when compared with depletion using anti-NK cell monoclonal antibodies because the effect is permanent and neither activates complement nor provokes massive cell death. In the present study, after one month of treatment with 90Sr, the depletion of NK cells was shown by a more than ten-fold reduction in the cytotoxic activity of these cells: 2 x 10(6) spleen cells from NK-depleted animals were required to reach the same specific lysis of target cells effected by 0.15 x 10(6) spleen cells from normal control animals. The histopathology of the skin lesion at 7 days after Leishmania infection showed more parasites in the NK cell-depleted group. This observation further strengthens a direct role of NK cells during the early period of Leishmania infection.

Animals↗

Beta-carotene reduces the ductular (oval) cell reaction in the liver of Wistar rats submitted to the resistant hepatocyte model of carcinogenesis.

The morphology of livers of Wistar rats treated with beta-carotene (BC), vitamin A (VA, retinol acetate) or corn oil (CO, controls) and submitted to the resistant hepatocyte model of carcinogenesis was studied. Preneoplastic lesions (PNL) were smaller and less numerous in the BC group. The latter group also presented fewer placental glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P) positive and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) distinguishable PNL, with smaller mean areas and smaller mean areas of the liver occupied by PNL. Clear cell foci predominated in BC livers. In picrosirius-stained liver sections, fibrosis, whether or not accompanying the bile ductular cells, surrounded only 16.67% of PNL in the BC group, as compared to 35.71% in the VA group and 87.72% in the CO group. Moreover, the ductular cell reaction was smaller in the BC group. Smooth muscle actin-positive cells surrounded some PNL, mostly in CO rats, and less frequently in the VA and BC groups. Examination by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that cells with nuclei similar to those of perisinusoidal cells, devoid of cytoplasmic fat globules, probably represented myofibroblasts derived from Ito cells and accompanied the ductular cell reaction. On the basis of these results, we suggest that BC reduced not only the PNL but also the ductular (oval) cell reaction in this experimental model.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

The role of complement in the acute inflammatory process in the skin and in host-parasite interaction in hamsters inoculated with Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi.

Tecidual reaction at the inoculation site of L. (L.)chagasi promastigotes in hamsters depleted and non-depleted of complement was studied within 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of infection. The inflammatory reaction was characterized by early predominance of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) at 2, 6 and 12 hours of infection, mixed infiltrate of PMN and mononuclear cells (MN) at 24 hours, followed by predominance of MN at 48 and 72 hours after infection. The group depleted of complement showed a higher number of PMN at 2 hours and lower numbers of MN at 72 hours after infection (P < 0.0001). In the depleted group the phagocytosis by PMN was lower at 2 and 24 hours and by MN was lower at 24, 48 and 72 hours after infection. Electron microscopy showed extracellular intact and degenerated parasites, and lysed intracellular parasites, in PMN; and, rarely, preserved intracellular parasites in MN at 2, 6 and 12 hours after infection. The groups examined at 24, 48 and 72 hours of infection showed only cellular and parasite debris in mononuclear inflammatory cells. C3b deposits were detected by immunofluorescence in the interstitium and in the cytoplasm of inflammatory cells in non-depleted group at 2, 6 and 12 hours of infection. No immunoglobulin was detected in either group. Visceralization was detected 240 days after infection. The complement system has an important role in the inflammatory reaction and phagocytosis. The ultrastructural findings showed that the escape of the parasite probably occurs soon after inoculation.

Acute Disease↗

Influence of soil texture in the recovery of Toxocara canis eggs by a flotation method.

In epidemiological surveys, the evaluation of soil contamination by Toxocara canis eggs requires a quick and easy method for the isolation of parasite eggs from soil samples. The efficiency of flotation methods is influenced by sample size, soil texture, degree of soil contamination, pretreatment, flotation solutions and time of flotation. This investigation was designed to evaluate the influence of soil texture in the recovery of T. canis eggs with the centrifugal flotation technique of Dada (Dada, B.J.O., 1979. A new technique for the recovery of Toxocara eggs from soil. J. Helminthol., 53: 141-144). Four types of soil (clay silt, sandy, silty clay and sand) were artificially contaminated with T. canis eggs (200 eggs per gram). Zinc sulphate (specific gravity 1.20) and sodium dichromate (specific gravity 1.35) were used as flotation solutions. Twenty replicated examinations were performed for each type of soil and flotation solution. There was a statistically significant difference in the results depending on soil type. The highest recovery percentages were observed in soils rich in sand (62.5% for sand and 38.0% for sandy soil). Differences were also observed with different flotation solutions. Sodium dichromate solution was more efficient for recovering T. canis eggs, regardless of the soil texture.

Analysis of Variance↗

Role of lymphatic drainage on the development of Calmette-Guérin bacillus-induced granulomas in the hamster.

The influence of lymphatic drainage on Calmette-Guérin bacillus (BCG)-induced granulomas was investigated by comparing the time course of granuloma formation in two sites: the hamster footpad and the check pouch, an area deprived of lymphatic vessels. Typical epithelioid granulomas developed in both sites. Whereas in the footpad the size of granulomas increased and the volume of the lesion persisted, in the pouch the lesion decreased in volume. The inoculation of BCG into the footpad of animal with granulomas in the pouch, reactivated the pouch lesions. T lymphocytes were detected by an immunocytochemical technique at the edge of these lesions. Inoculation of the bacteria into the pouch induces suppressive mechanisms which hold down the volume of the lesions induced in the footpad. The cutaneous purified protein derivative (PPD) test, positive in animals inoculated in the footpad, was always negative in animals with granulomas in the pouch. The number of bacteria per microscopic field in pouch granulomas increased from 10 to 1,000 after PPD injection. Evidence that PPD has a direct effect on pouch granuloma cells is given.

Animals↗

Influence of high environmental temperature on inflammation and repair induced by a foreign body in bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles.

We investigated the effect of high environmental temperature (31 degrees C vs 25 degrees C) on the inflammatory and repair phenomena induced by a foreign body in the tail of Rana catesbeiana (bullfrog) tadpoles. The data obtained using quantitative morphometric models showed that environmental temperature influences the time course but not the intensity of the inflammatory process and the tissue repair. Animals treated at 31 degrees C presented an initial increase of the inflammation and repair area (IRA, 402 +/- 24 microns2, mean +/- SEM, on the 3rd day), which quickly decreased and stabilized, with tissue restoration occurring after 21 days (327 +/- 3). In contrast, tadpoles kept at 25 degrees C showed an active inflammatory focus which persisted throughout the experiment. However, the maximum values obtained for the parameters analyzed were quite similar at both temperatures. IRA was 378 +/- 15 microns2 on the 21st day at 25 degrees C vs 402 +/- 24 on the 3rd day at 31 degrees C, and inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI) was 175 +/- 12 cells per 145 microns2 tissue on the 7th day at 25 degrees C vs 171 +/- 23 on the 3rd day at 31 degrees C.

Animals↗

[Behavior of the arterial wall of non-selected rats, old and young, subjected to potentially atherogenic dietary factors].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the arterial wall behaviour in old and young rats submitted to a ration containing atherogenic factors (cholesterol, dehydrocolic acid and vitamin D2). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 old male albino rats (approximately one year old) were grouped as follows: group 1, five control animals; group 2, five animals receiving a ration with cholesterol plus dehydrocolic acid; group 3, ten rats receiving an equivalent ration added to vitamin D2. Equivalent groups (4, 5 and 6), with an identical number, but younger animals (2 months old), were compared to the former. Groups 4, 5 and 6 were treated in the same way of groups 1, 2 and 3. After two months, all the groups were bled for cholesterol (CT), triglycerides and HDL dosage. Afterwards, they were sacrificed and the histopathological analysis of the aorta, heart, and lungs executed by the hematoxylin-eosin, Verhoeff and acetic orcein methods. RESULTS: Serum cholesterol (average) was 52 mg/dl in group 1 and 56.6 in group 4. Groups 3 and 6 presented about two times the serum cholesterol level observed in control groups and groups 2 and 5 three times control groups. When the old and young animals CT averages were compared, no significant differences were observed. However, when the influences of the atherogenic factors were analyzed, significant differences appeared; the simultaneous administration of dehydrocolic acid and cholesterol tripled the value of CT, and the use of vitamin D2, applied with other factors, raised CT only to the double. No atherosclerotic lesions were obtained but only Monckberg atherosclerosis lesions, sclerosis type (calcification of the medium stratum) in those animals who received vitamin D2. CONCLUSION: The arterial wall of non-selected old and young rats behaved equally when submitted to a ration containing cholesterol, dehydrocolic acid and vitamin D2. They developed calcified lesions of atherosclerotic type, in spite of a prolonged hypercholesterolemia.

Animals↗

The influence of lymphatic drainage in experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

The rapid disappearance of infective forms of Trypanosoma cruzi from the site of inoculation as well as the initial phase of infection produced by the parasite are not yet fully understood. To investigate this problem we used the hamster as an animal model considering the existence of the cheek pouch--a peculiar region devoid of lymphatic vessels. T. cruzi trypomastigotes were inoculated into the cheek pouch or into the footpad of animals previously infected or not with the same parasite. The results were followed from 3 up to 21 days postinoculation, by histological examination. In the cheek pouch of normal animals a large number of parasites could be seen up to 15 days post-inoculation and the inflammatory infiltrate had a focal distribution. Conversely, in the footpad the infiltrate was diffuse and no parasites could be detected. These observations indicate that the lymphatic system is the main route of T. cruzi dissemination from the site or inoculation. When hamsters were first inoculated in the footpad and 7 days later in the pouch, the inflammatory infiltrate at this point was less aggressive and no parasites could be detected.

Animals↗

Pathology of toxoplasmosis in captive new world primates.

Clinical information was available for 32 of 33 New World primates with fatal toxoplasmosis, all of which were subjected to a variable number of pathological observations. Death without apparent clinical signs occurred in 43.7% of cases. The most common clinical findings were malaise (40.6%), dyspnoea (18.7%), hypothermia (15.6%) and a sero-sanguinous or foamy nasal discharge (12.5%). Nutritional status was good in 71.8%, average in 18.7% and poor in 9.4%. The most common post-mortem findings were pulmonary congestion (78.8%), pulmonary oedema (75.8%), splenomegaly (57.6%) and mesenteric lymphadenitis (54.6%). The most common histopathological findings were multifocal necrotic hepatitis (97%), lymphadenitis (95.4%), interstitial pneumonia (90.3%) and necrotic splenitis (71.4%). The gross post-mortem changes in cebids were more variable than those observed in callitrichids, a fact that may complicate the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in cebids.

Animals↗