EFFECT OF PROBIOTIC ORAL ADMINISTRATION ON SKIN WOUND HEALING IN RATS

Background:

Manipulating intestinal microbiota with probiotics might stimulate skin response. Understanding all stages of the healing process, as well as the gut-skin-healing response can improve the skin healing process.

Aim:

To evaluate the effect of perioperative oral administration of probiotics on the healing of skin wounds in rats.

Methods:

Seventy-two Wistar male adult rats were weighed and divided into two groups with 36 each, one control group (supplemented with oral maltodextrin 250 mg/day) and one probiotic group (supplemented with Lactobacillus paracasei LPC-37, Bifidobacterium lactis HN0019, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM^® at a dose of 250 mg/day), both given orally daily for 15 days. The two groups were subsequently divided into three subgroups according to the moment of euthanasia: in the 3^rd, 7^th and 10^th postoperative days.

Results:

There were no significant changes in weight in both groups. Wound contraction was faster in probiotic group when compared to the controls, resulting in smaller wound area in the 7^th postoperative day. As for histological aspects, the overall H&E score was lower in the probiotic group. The probiotic group showed increased fibrosis from 3^rd to the 7^th postoperative day. The type I collagen production was higher in the probiotic group at the 10^th postoperative day, and the type III collagen increased in the 7^th.

Conclusion:

The perioperative use of orally administrated probiotic was associated with a faster reduction of the wound area in rats probably by reducing the inflammatory phase, accelerating the fibrosis process and the deposition of collagen.

Alendronate induces postnatal maxillary bone growth by stimulating intramembranous ossification and preventing premature cartilage mineralization in the midpalatal suture of newborn rats

Cleft palate is a common malformation of craniofacial development, and postnatal deficiencies in palate formation may occur. The aim of this study was to determine whether alendronate treatment could induce maxillary mineralization and thus reduce the need for surgical procedures. The effects of alendronate on maxillary bone development, the midpalatal suture, and the levels of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), collagen I and II, and V-ATPase were evaluated in newborn rats. Thirty newborn rats were placed in a control group and 30 in a group that received intraperitoneal alendronate (2.5 mg/kg/day). The animals were euthanized on day 7 or 12, and the heads were subjected to histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Specimens from rats that received alendronate presented larger bone matrix deposition in areas of intramembranous ossification of the maxillary bone when compared to controls. Furthermore, higher levels of TGF-β1, BMP-2, and collagen I were observed, whereas osteoclasts showed no V-ATPase. The alendronate group also showed higher levels of TGF-β1 and collagen II in the midpalatal suture, whereas BMP-2 levels were lower than in controls. These results coincided with an expansion of the chondroid. In conclusion, alendronate increased the intramembranous ossification in the maxillary bone in association with increased expression of TGF-β1, BMP-2, and collagen I and decreased V-ATPase. The drug induced an expansion of chondrocytes and a decrease in mineral bone deposition despite the high levels of TGF-β1 in this area. Alendronate may therefore be useful in the treatment of diseases affecting bone growth.

Modelos animais na síndrome metabólica

RESUMO O conhecimento sobre modelos animais para estudo metabólico representa a base da pesquisa nessa área. Este trabalho tem por objetivo revisar os principais modelos animais a serem utilizados no estudo da obesidade e da síndrome metabólica. Para isso, pesquisa no banco de dados Pubmed foi realizada usando as palavras-chave “animal models”, “obesity”, "metabolic syndrome”, e “bariatric surgery”. Várias espécies de animais podem ser usadas para o estudo de distúrbios metabólicos, no entanto, os roedores, tanto modelos monogênicos quanto modelos de obesidade induzida por dieta (DIO), são os animais mais utilizados nessa área. Animais monogênicos são a melhor escolha se apenas um aspecto estiver sendo avaliado. Animais DIO tendem a demonstrar melhor a interação entre doença, ambiente e gene. No entanto, eles ainda não são totalmente eficazes para a compreensão de todos os mecanismos dessa doença.

THE ROLE OF THE SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY AND THE MANAGEMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Background:

Currently, bariatric surgery has promoted weight loss and improved glycemic control in obese patients through different techniques, including vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

Aim:

Present and update the different vertical sleeve gastrectomy ways of action, both in the treatment of obesity and diabetes, approaching its potential effect on gastrointestinal physiology, as well as the benefits achieved by this manipulation.

Methods:

Pubmed database search was used crossing the headings: obesity, type 2 diabetes and sleeve gastrectomy.

Results:

Published data have shown that short-term weight loss tends to be higher in patients undergoing vertical sleeve gastrectomy compared to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In relation to glycemic control, the procedure demonstrated remission of diabetes in up to 60% after one year of surgery. After three years, however, differences in remission rate between surgical and clinical group was not observed, questioning the durability of the technical in a long-term.

Conclusion:

Despite showing good results, both in the weight loss and co-morbidities, conflicting results reinforce the need for more studies to prove the efficiency of the vertical sleeve gastrectomy as well as to understand its action about the molecular mechanisms involved in the disease.