Propionibacterium freudenreichii CIRM-BIA 129 (P. freudenreichii wild type, WT) is a probiotic bacterium, which exerts immunomodulatory effects. This strain possesses extractable surface proteins, including SlpB, which are involved in antiinflammatory effect and in adhesion to epithelial cells. We decided to investigate the impact of slpB gene mutation on immunomodulation in vitro and in vivo. In an in vitro assay, P. freudenreichii WT reduced expression of IL-8 (p<0.0001) and TNF-α (p<0.0001) cytokines in LPS-stimulated HT-29 cells. P. freudenreichii ΔslpB, lacking the SlpB protein, failed to do so. Subsequently, both strains were investigated in vivo in a 5-FU-induced mucositis mice model. Mucositis is a common side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy with 5-FU, characterized by mucosal injury, inflammation, diarrhea, and weight loss. The WT strain prevented weight loss, reduced inflammation and consequently histopathological scores. Furthermore, it regulated key markers, including Claudin-1 (cld1, p<0.0005) and IL-17a (Il17a, p<0.0001) genes, as well as IL-12 (p<0.0001) and IL-1β (p<0.0429) cytokines levels. Mutant strain displayed opposite regulatory effect on cld1 expression and on IL-12 levels. This work emphasizes the importance of SlpB in P. freudenreichii ability to reduce mucositis inflammation. It opens perspectives for the development of probiotic products to decrease side effects of chemotherapy using GRAS bacteria with immunomodulatory surface protein properties.

Autism is characterized by numerous behavioral impairments, such as in communication, socialization and cognition. Recent studies have suggested that valproic acid (VPA), an anti-epileptic drug with teratogenic activity, is related to autism. In rodents, VPA exposure during pregnancy induces autistic-like effects. Exposure to VPA may alter zinc metabolism resulting in a transient deficiency of zinc. Therefore, we selected zinc as a prenatal treatment to prevent VPA-induced impairments in a rat model of autism. Wistar female rats received either saline solution or VPA (400 mg/kg, i.p) on gestational day (GD) 12.5. To test the zinc supplementation effect, after 1 h of treatment with saline or VPA, a dose of zinc (2 mg/kg, s.c.) was injected. The offspring were tested for abnormal communication behaviors with an ultrasound vocalization task on postnatal day (PND) 11, repetitive behaviors and cognitive ability with a T-maze task on PND 29, and social interaction with a play behavior task on PND 30. Tyrosine hydroxylase protein (TH) expression was evaluated in the striatum. Prenatal VPA decreased ultrasonic vocalization, induced repetitive/restricted behaviors and cognitive inflexibility, impaired socialization, and reduced striatal TH levels compared with control group. Zinc treatment reduced VPA-induced autistic-like behaviors. However, we found no evidence of an effect of zinc on the VPA-induced reduction in TH expression. The persistence of low TH expression in the VPA-Zn group suggests that Zn-induced behavioral improvement in autistic rats may not depend on TH activity.

-Context -The cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata) is an herbaceous and leafy plant which belongs to the Brassicaceae family, native to coastal southern and Western Europe. Used in cooking for its nutritional value also has known anti-inflammatory activity. Objective -We studied the antiulcerogenic activity of aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (AEB) in order to validate ethnobotanical claims regarding the plant use in the gastric disorders. Method -Acute gastric ulcers were induced in rats by the oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid. The gastroprotective potential of the AEB (0.250, 0.500 and 1.000 mg.kg

RESUMOAvaliaram-se os compósitos de hidroxiapatita sintética e carbono (HAC) e hidroxiapatita sintética, carbono e fosfato biácido de sódio (HACF), ambos na forma sólida, como substituto ósseo em 36 coelhos adultos. Após protocolos anestésico e cirúrgico habituais, retirou-se um fragmento de aproximadamente 2cm de comprimento no terço médio da ulna esquerda. Os animais do grupo 1 receberam, em cada falha provocada, blocos de HAC e HACF, e os do grupo 2 somente HAC. Os do grupo 3 não receberam tratamento. Os animais foram submetidos a avaliações clínicas e radiológicas nos dias 8, 15, 30, 60, 120 e 180 de pós-operatório. Nas mesmas datas, dois animais de cada grupo foram sacrificados e deles colheuse material para histologia. Observou-se evolução normal da regeneração óssea em todos os animais, sendo mais precoce nos dos grupos que receberam os compósitos. O uso de HAC e HACF na ulna de coelho mostrou-se um método eficiente, não apresentando sinais de infecção e nem evidência de rejeição.Palavras -chave: coelho, biomaterial, hidroxiapatita, substituto ósseo ABSTRACT Composites of synthetic hydroxyapatite and carbon (HAC) and synthetic hydroxyapatite, carbon and sodium biacid phosphate (HACF), both of them in solid form

ResumoVisando o conhecimento da topografia do cone medular, foram dissecados cinco lobos guará ( Chrysocyon brachyurus) adultos, três machos e duas fêmeas, tendo sido verificado que o comprimento médio daquela porção da medula espinhal foi de cerca de 6,5 em. A base do cone medular, formada pelo sexto segmento lombar da medula espinhal, mostrou-se apoiada sobre a terceira vértebra lombar (L3) e seu ápice, mais freqüentemente, sobre a quinta vértebra lombar (L5) ou, em igual proporção, sobre a junção entre a quinta e a sexta vé1iebras lombares, podendo ainda atingir a sexta daquelas vértebras (L6).O fundo de saco durai apresentou sua extremidade junto à margem caudal da sétima vértebra lombar (L7) ou próximo à margem cranial da primeira vértebra sacra! (S1).Palavras-chave: anatomia, cone medular, lobo-guará. AbstractSeeking the knowledge of the topography of the spinal cord end, o r medullar cone, tive adults guara wolves ( Chrysocyon brachyurus), three males and two females, were dissected, having been verified that the medium length of that portion of the spinal cord was about 6.5 em. The base of the medullar cone, formed by the sixth lumbar segment of the spinal cord, it was shown leaning on the third lumbar vertebra (L3) and your apex more frequently on the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) o r, equally, on the junction between fifth and sixth lumbar vertebrae; could still reach sixth of those vertebrae (L6). The durai sac presented your extremity close to the caudal margin of the seventh I um bar vertebra (L7) o r close to the cranial margin of the first sacra! vertebra (S1 ).