Objective: To evaluate the resistance to femoral fractures among rats treated with the immunosuppressant tacrolimus FK-506 and compare these to untreated rats and rats treated with placebo. Methods: Ninety male Wistar rats were used. The animals were nine weeks old and weighed between 220 g and 280 g. The immunosuppressive agent tacrolimus was used in this study at a dose of 2 mg/kg/day, administered orally. The suspension was administered using an insulin syringe, and the maintenance therapeutic dose was sufficient to maintain the immunosuppressive activity. The animals were randomly divided into three groups (n = 30): group 1, no substance administered; group 2, administration of the immunosuppressant tacrolimus FK-506; and group 3, administration of the vehicle alone. Treatment with FK-506 was administered for 28 days. Total leukocyte counts and differential counts (lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils) were evaluated in order to monitor the immunosuppressive effect. Bone densitometry analysis by means of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was also performed before and after administration of the drug. To evaluate the resistance to flexion, a support device was developed so that mechanical tests using an EMIC universal testing machine could be carried out. Results: The results from the flexion resistance tests showed statistical differences between groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.001) and between groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.001). No statistical difference was found between groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.995). Conclusions: The femurs of rats treated with the immunosuppressive agent had lower mechanical strength than did those of normal rats and those that received placebo.

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RESUMOObjetivo: Avaliar a resistência à fratura de fêmures de ratos tratados com o imunossupressor tacrolimus FK-506 e compará-los a ratos tratados com placebo e não tratados. Métodos: Foram utilizados 90 ratos da linhagem Wistar machos. Os animais tinham nove semanas de idade e peso entre 220 e 280g. O medicamento utilizado neste estudo foi o agente imunossupressor tacrolimus administrado por via oral, 2mg/kg/dia. A suspensão foi administrada com auxílio de seringa de insulina, sendo a dose terapêutica de manutenção suficiente para manter a atividade imunossupressora. Os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos (n = 30): grupo 1, nenhuma substância administrada; grupo 2, administração do imunossupressor tacrolimus FK-506; e grupo 3, administrado apenas veículo. O tratamento com FK-506 foi realizado por 28 dias. Foram avaliadas as contagens totais de leucóci-tos e diferencial (linfócitos, monócitos, eosinófilos e neutrófilos), com objetivo de monitoramento do efeito imunossupressor. Uma outra análise realizada foi a da densitometria óssea por absorção de raios-X de dupla energia (DXA) antes e após administração do fármaco. Para avaliar a resistência à flexão, desenvolveu-se dispositivo que serviu de apoio para realização dos ensaios mecânicos em máquina universal de ensaios mecânicos EMIC. Resultados: Os resultados da resistência à flexão demonstraram diferenças estatísticas entre os grupo 1 e 2 (p = 0,001) e 2 e 3 (p = 0,001). Não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos 1 e 3 (p = 0,995). Conclusões: Os fêmures de ratos tratados com o imunossupressor apresentam menor resistência mecânica que os de ratos normais e os que utilizaram placebo. descritores -

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether the change in the CE angle of Wiberg and the acetabular index after Ganz periacetabular osteotomy is statistically significant.MethodsThe pre- and postoperative CE angle of Wiberg and acetabular index of 14 hips operated at a tertiary hospital in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil were evaluated.ResultsThe postoperative measurements showed significant differences in relation to the preoperative period. There was a significant reduction in the CE angle of Wiberg in the postoperative period, as well as in the acetabular index. These differences were statistically significant for both the right and left sides.ConclusionThe radiographic evaluation of patients submitted to Ganz periacetabular osteotomy presented some statistically significant results; however, a larger sample is still necessary.