SUMMARY:The trace mineral trivalent chromium (Cr 3+ ) is an essential nutrient involved in the regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism via an enhancement of insulin action. The present work had as objective to characterize histopathologically and histometrically the hepatic alterations of female Wistar rats, determined by the chromium III administration in drinking water. Adult rats received ration and drinking water ad libitum containing 300 or 500 mg/l chromium III during 4 months. Control animals received only water and ration. All animals were sacrificed by lethal dose of anesthetic. Samples of liver were fixed in 10% formalin for 24 h. Tissues for microscopical pathology were processed using standard procedures. Paraffin sections prepared at 6 µ m were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and PAS. Besides the histopathological exam, histometrical techniques were used. The blood was collected and processed for hematological study. Histopathological analysis revealed periportal, midzonal and pericentrilobular zones with parenchyma cells with varying degrees of vacuolation. Many hepatocytes are ballooned and the nuclei were in lysis. The centrilobular vein was dilated and congested. Dilated sinusoids containing erythrocytes were observed. The portal area showed fibrosis, biliar duct proliferation with small cells. Histometric study showed increased cytoplasm and cell volumes, and small values for number of hepatocytes per mm 3 . Lymphopenia was observed in 500 mg/l Cr 3+ /l treated animals. These results indicate that the chromium III has a direct participation in liver structures alterations. (Tazelaar, 1970), artificial dentures made by Cr-containing steel, metal pins used for internal fixation of broken bones, and bullets retained in the body (Langard & Hensten-Pettersen, 1981).The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of high-dose Cr 3+ supplementation on rat liver structure and on hematological parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODFifteen female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), weighing 170 g, were housed in three plastic cages (n=5 each) with stainless steel cover lids and white pinus shavings as bedding, under controlled conditions of light (12 h-light/ 12 h-dark cycle), humidity (50 ± 10%), and fed with commercial pelleted rodent chow ad libitum.The dosage levels in this study were: 300 and 500 mg Cr 3+ /l drinking water, during 4 months. A control group received water only.All rats were sacrificed with 3% Hypnol® at the end of the experimental period. Samples of liver were fixed in 10% formalin for 24h. Paraffin sections prepared at 6 µ m were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and periodic acid + Schiff (PAS).Karyometry. The nuclear measurements of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes of control (C) and treated (T) rats were estimated according to Sala et al. (1994). The longest (D) and shortest (d) axis were measured in the drawing of each nucleus in order to estimate the following nuclear parameters: geometric mean diameter, D/d ratio, perimeter, area, volume, V/A ratio, sha...

y unitermos key words resumo Introdução: Na literatura, numerosas publicações relatam a determinação do estado férrico em crianças, adolescentes e mulheres em fase reprodutiva, no entanto são raras as pesquisas quanto às alterações do ferro em estoque e eritrograma pós-terapia de reposição hormonal (TRH) em pré-menopausadas e menopausadas. O aumento dos estoques de ferro em mulheres pré-menopausadas e menopausadas pode conduzir à elevação do estresse oxidativo e, conseqüentemente, ao risco de desenvolvimento de câncer e doenças cardiovasculares. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da TRH sobre o eritrograma e o estado férrico em mulheres na prémenopausa e na menopausa. Métodos: Foram determinados os eritrogramas e as dosagens de ferro, capacidade total de ligação do ferro a transferrina (CTLF) e ferritina séricas em 30 mulheres no climatério antes e após seis meses de TRH com medroxiprogesterona e estradiol. Os eritrogramas, as dosagens de ferro e CTLF foram determinados por meio da utilização de métodos clássicos, e a ferritina, por quimiluminescência. Resultados: Após o uso da TRH, constataram-se significante redução do número de eritrócitos, elevação dos índices hematimétricos e tendência à diminuição nos níveis de ferro sérico e CTLF. Nenhuma alteração significante nos níveis de ferritina e no índice de saturação de transferrina foi detectada após a TRH. Discussão e conclusão: No presente estudo não foram encontradas alterações nos parâmetros hematimétricos e no estado férrico que impeçam a utilização da TRH no climatério e na menopausa. Os resultados sugerem que a TRH exerceu efeito benéfico sobre o estado férrico nas mulheres no climatério deste estudo, mantendo os estoques de ferro normais e promovendo a elevação dos índices hematimétricos. Ferritina Estado férricoTerapia de reposição hormonal Climatério abstract Background: In literature there are many studies about iron status in children, adolescents and fertile women, but investigations of iron stores and erythrocyte parameters variation after hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are rare. Elevated iron stores, oxidative stress, and estrogen deficiency may place premenopausal and menopausal women in a risk of developing heart disease and cancer. Objective: To evaluate the effect of HRT in erythrogram and iron status in premenopausal and menopausal women. Methods: Hematological indices and iron status were assessed by erythrogram, serum ferritin, iron and transferrin iron-binding capacity (TIBC) in 30 pre-and menopausal women before and after HRT with medroxiprogesterone and estradiol. The blood exam, serum iron and iron-binding capacity were determined by laboratory classic methods, while ferritin was measured by quimiluminescent assay. Results: HRT use was followed by a significant reduction in the absolute number of erythrocyte, an increase of hematimetric indexes and a trend towards a reduction of serum iron levels and TIBC. No alterations on serum ferritin and transferrin saturation index were detected after HRT. Discussion and conclusion: In the present study...

BackgroundIn the Atlantic forest of the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, local population often uses the fruit juice and the aqueous extract of leaves of soursop (Annona muricata L.) to treat Lachesis muta rhombeata envenomation. Envenomation is a relevant health issue in these areas, especially due to its severity and because the production and distribution of antivenom is limited in these regions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relevance of the use of soursop leaf extract and its juice against envenomation by Lachesis muta rhombeata.MethodsWe evaluated the biochemical, hematological and hemostatic parameters, the blood pressure, the inflammation process and the lethality induced by Lachesis muta rhombeata snake venom. We also assessed the action of the aqueous extract of leaves (AmL) and juice (AmJ) from A. muricata on the animal organism injected with L. m. rhombeata venom (LmrV) in the laboratory environment.ResultsLmrV induced a decrease of total protein, albumin and glucose; and increase of creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and urea concentrations. It provoked hemoconcentration followed by reduction of hematocrit, an increase in prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time and a decrease of the blood pressure. LmrV induced the release of interleukin-6, an increase in neutrophils and changes in the serum protein profile, characteristic of the acute inflammatory process. LD50 values were similar for the groups injected with LmrV and treated or untreated with AmJ and AmL. Both treatments play a role on the maintenance of blood glucose, urea and coagulation parameters and exert a protective action against the myotoxicity. However, they seem to worsen the hypotension caused by LmrV.ConclusionThe treatments with AmJ and AmL present some beneficial actions, but they might intensify some effects of the venom. Therefore, additional studies on A. muricata are necessary to enable its use as natural antivenom for bushmaster snakebite.

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