OBJECTIVE: To evaluate morphological alterations in rat fetuses treated with fluoxetine and imipramine during the "critical" period of gestation. METHOD: Fifteen female rats were separated into three groups (n = 5) and treated with 10 mg/kg/day of test substances on the ninth, tenth and eleventh day of pregnancy: G1, fluoxetine; G2, imipramine hydrochloride; G3 (control), saline. On day 21, cesarean sections were performed to release the fetuses, whose bodies were weighed and macroscopically analyzed. The placenta was also weighed. The fetuses were then fixed and their encephala removed and weighed. Sections of the frontal lobe were taken for histological neuron counting. RESULTS: G1 and G2 showed the highest fetal body weight. Placental weight showed statistical differences (p < 0.01): G1 weighed more than G2 and G3. Otherwise, G2 exhibited the highest encephalon weight, statistically differing from G3 (control) and fluoxetine-treated G1 (p < 0.01). However, G1 did not statistically (p > 0.01) differ from the control group. G3 showed the highest number of neurons per area when compared to G1 and G2 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The use of antidepressants in rats caused an increase in fetal weight and a decrease in the number of fetal frontal lobe neurons, thus suggesting that the use of antidepressants by pregnant women can induce depression in fetuses due to alterations in their neural development.

Rev Neurocienc 2012;20(1):68-72 original 68 RESUMO Objetivo. Verificar possíveis alterações quantitativas de corpos de neurônios, no córtex cerebral, causadas pelo uso de esteróides anabolizantes. Método. Foram utilizados trinta camundongos divididos em 3 grupos (grupo 1 -Deca Durabolin®; grupo 2-Potenay®; grupo 3-Salina) tratados uma vez na semana e submetidos à natação três vezes na semana, tendo o tratamento a duração total de um mês. Após a eutanásia os encéfalos foram retirados e foram preparados segundo técnica histológica convencional e corados com violeta cresil, através da análise morfométrica foram buscados os dados comparativos. Resultados. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que houve uma diminuição significativa do número de corpos de neurônios nos animais tratados (P<0,01) quando comparados com o grupo controle, porém não foi significativo (P>0,05) quando comparados os dois sexos. Os animais do grupo Potenay® apresentaram 23,36 corpos de neurônios enquanto que os animais do grupo Deca-durabolin® apresentaram 23,40 corpos de neurônios, os valores médios de corpos de neurônios foram iguais e inferiores aos observados para o grupo controle que foi de 31,70. Conclusão. Concluímos que a densidade de corpos de neurônios no córtex cerebral mostra uma diminuição significativa nos camundongos submetidos ao tratamento com esteróides anabolizantes em relação ao grupo controle. ABSTRACTObjective. Investigate quantitative changes in cerebral cortex neurons bodies caused by the use of anabolic steroids. Method. Thirty mice were used, which received treatment with steroids (group 1-Deca Durabolin®; group 2-Potenay®; group 3-Saline) once a week and submitted to swimming three times a week, taking total treatment duration one month. After euthanasia, the brains were removed, fixed and histological processed and cresyl violet was used for staining. The slices were analyzed by light microscope and software to count the neurons bodies. Results. The results shows that there was a significant decrease of neurons bodies number in treated groups (P<0.01) when compared with the control group, but was not significant (P>0.05) when both genders were compared. In Potenay ® group, the animals showed 23.36 neurons bodies while the animals in Deca-durabolin® group had 23.40. The average values of neuron bodies were equal and lower than of control group, which was 31.70. Conclusion. The neuronal bodies density in cerebral cortex decreased significantly in mice undergoing treatment with steroids in relation to control group. Original Recebido em: 15/03/11 Aceito em: 09/08/11 Conflito de interesses: não Suporte financeiro: Fapemig. Trabalho realizado no Departamento de Anatomia da Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas-MG, Brasil. 1.Biomédico graduando pela Unifal-MG, Alfenas-MG, Brasil. 2.Biólogo graduando pela Unifal-MG, Alfenas-MG, Brasil. 3.Zootecnista, Doutor e Docente da Unifal-MG, Alfenas-MG, Brasil. 4.Cirurgião dentista, Doutor Docente da Unifal-MG, Alfenas-MG, Brasil. 5.Médico, Doutor Docente da Unifal-MG, Alfenas-MG, Brasil....

RESUMOObjetivos: Pouco se sabe sobre a atuação dos esteroides androgênicos anabolizantes (EAA) no cé-rebro humano e, por isso, resolvemos estudar a perda neuronal causada pelo uso e abuso de EAA em camundongos. Métodos

Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are a group of enzymes that hydrolyze phospholipids at the sn-2 position, being present in all nature. In venomous animals, these proteins assume a special role, being able to exert diverse pharmacological effects. In this work, authors identified a new isoform of PLA2 in the venom of Porthidium hyoprora, which was isolated through sequential chromatographic steps and named PhTX-III. The enzyme was characterized biochemically and structurally. Structural studies using mass spectrometry confirmed an acidic secretory PLA2, family IIA, with molecular mass of 13,620.9 Da and identification of 86% of its primary sequence. PhTX-III did not exhibit myotoxic, anticoagulant or antibacterial effects, often present in this class of enzymes. Although, it was capable of initiate inflammatory response, with local edema and release of cytokines IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α, probably due to mast cell degranulation.

Anabolic substances have been increasingly used by bodybuilders and athletes with the goal of improving performance and aesthetics. However, this practice has caused some concern to physicians and researchers because of unknowledge of consequences that the indiscriminate and illicit use of these substances can cause. Thus, this study analyzed the effects of two commercially available anabolic steroids (AS), Winstrol Depot® (Stanozolol) and Deposteron® (Testosterone Cypionate), in the neuronal density of limbic, motor and sensory regions on the cerebral cortex and in CA1, CA2, CA3 regions of the hippocampus. A total of 60 Swiss mice were used (30 males and 30 females), separated into three groups: control and two experimental groups, which received the AAS. From each brain, homotypic and semi-serial samples were taken in frontal sections from areas established for the study. The results showed that females treated with testosterone cypionate presented a reduction in all regions tested and the ones treated with Stanozolol showed a decrease in some hippocampal areas. Regarding male animals, stanozolol led to a decrease in neuron number in one hippocampal region. These data allow us to conclude that supra-physiological doses of steroids used in this study, can cause considerable damage to nervous tissue with ultrastructural and consequently behavioral impairment. These changes could interfere with the loss of physical yield and performance of athletes and non-athletes and may cause irreparable damage to individuals making irresponsible use of anabolic steroids.