Chronic imipramine treatment-induced changes in acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) activity in discrete rat brain regions

Cholinergic as well as monoaminergic neurotransmission seems to be involved in the etiology of affective disorders. Chronic treatment with imipramine, a classical antidepressant drug, induces adaptive changes in monoaminergic neurotransmission. In order to identify possible changes in cholinergic neurotransmission we measured total, membrane-bound and soluble acetylcholinesterase (Achase) activity in several rat brain regions after chronic imipramine treatment. Changes in Achase activity would indicate alterations in acetylcholine (Ach) availability to bind to its receptors in the synaptic cleft. Male rats were treated with imipramine (20 mg/kg, ip) for 21 days, once a day. Twenty-four hours after the last dose the rats were sacrificed and homogenates from several brain regions were prepared. Membrane-bound Achase activity (nmol thiocholine formed min-1 mg protein-1) after chronic imipramine treatment was significantly decreased in the hippocampus (control = 188.8 ± 19.4, imipramine = 154.4 ± 7.5, P<0.005) and striatum (control = 850.9 ± 59.6, imipramine = 742.5 ± 34.7, P<0.005). A small increase in total Achase activity was observed in the medulla oblongata and pons. No changes in enzyme activity were detected in the thalamus or total cerebral cortex. Since the levels of Achase seem to be enhanced through the interaction between Ach and its receptors, a decrease in Achase activity may indicate decreased Ach release by the nerve endings. Therefore, our data indicate that cholinergic neurotransmission is decreased after chronic imipramine treatment which is consistent with the idea of an interaction between monoaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmission in the antidepressant effect of imipramineUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Effects of environmental enrichment upon ethanol-induced conditioned place preference and pre-frontal BDNF levels in adolescent and adult mice

Environmental enrichment (EE) provides a non-pharmacological tool to alter drug-induced reward, yet its effects on ethanol-induced reward remain controversial. We analyzed adolescent vs. adult (mice) differences in the influence of EE on ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). The effects of these treatments on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the prefrontal cortex were examined in a separate group of animals. Ethanol-induced CPP was found in adults, and it was similar in EE and in animals reared under standard housing conditions (SC). Adolescents kept under EE, but not those in SC, exhibited CPP. Among SC, but not among EE, adolescents, BDNF levels were significantly lower in those treated with ethanol than in those given vehicle. These results indicate that, compared to adults, adolescent exhibited reduced sensitivity to ethanol's rewarding effects, yet the youth but not the adults exhibited sensitivity to the promoting effect of EE upon CPP by ethanol. Ethanol significantly reduced BDNF levels in adolescents reared under standard housing conditions, but not in adult mice nor in adolescents given EE housing conditions. The present results add to the plethora of adolescent-specific responses to ethanol or to environmental stimuli that may put the youth at risk for escalation of ethanol intake.Fil: Pautassi, Ricardo Marcos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Suarez, Andrea Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Hoffmann, Lucas Barbosa. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Rueda, André Veloso. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Rae, Mariana. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Marianno, Priscila. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Camarini, Rosana. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Acetylcholinesterase activity in the pons and medulla oblongata of rats after chronic electroconvulsive shock

An imbalance between cholinergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission has been proposed for the etiology of affective disorders. According to this hypothesis, depression would be the result of enhanced cholinergic and reduced noradrenergic neurotransmission. Repeated electroconvulsive shock (ECS) is an effective treatment for depression; moreover, in laboratory animals it induces changes in brain noradrenergic neurotransmission similar to those obtained by chronic treatment with antidepressant drugs (down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors). The aim of the present study was to determine whether repeated ECS in rats changes acetylcholinesterase (Achase) activity. Achase controls the level of acetylcholine (Ach) in the synaptic cleft and its levels seem to be regulated by the interaction between Ach and its receptor. Thus, a decrease in Achase activity would suggest decreased cholinergic activity. Adult male Wistar rats received one ECS (80 mA, 0.2 s, 60 Hz) daily for 7 days. Control rats were handled in the same way without receiving the shock. Rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last ECS and membrane-bound and soluble Achase activity was assayed in homogenates obtained from the pons and medulla oblongata. A statistically significant decrease in membrane-bound Achase activity (nmol thiocholine formed min-1 mg protein-1) (control 182.6 ± 14.8, ECS 162.2 ± 14.2, P<0.05) and an increase in soluble Achase activity in the medulla oblongata (control 133.6 ± 4.2, ECS 145.8 ± 12.3, P<0.05) were observed. No statistical differences were observed in Achase activity in the pons. Although repeated ECS induced a decrease in membrane-bound Achase activity, the lack of changes in the pons (control Achase activity: total 231.0 ± 34.5, membrane-bound 298.9 ± 18.5, soluble 203.9 ± 30.9), the region where the locus coeruleus, the main noradrenergic nucleus, is located, does not seem to favor the existence of an interaction between cholinergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission after ECS treatmentUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Involvement of the opioid system in the development and expression of sensitization to the locomotor-activating effect of ethanol

Previous studies have shown that pretreatment with naloxone (Nlx), an opiate antagonist, attenuates the stimulating effect of ethanol. the purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of Nix on the development and expression of the sensitization to ethanol. Initially, effects of different doses of Nix on the response to a low dose of ethanol (2.0 g/kg) were assessed. Nix (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg i.p.) decreased the stimulating effect of ethanol. Groups of mice were treated with saline or Nix (1.0 mg/kg i.p.) plus saline or ethanol (2.0 g/kg if) during 21 d. On day 25 of treatment all animals received an ethanol challenge (2.0 g/kg i.p.). It significantly increased the locomotor activity of mice that had received chronic ethanol (2.0 g/kg) once daily as compared to those that had received saline. Chronic administration of Nlx (1.0 mg/kg i.p.), during the same period of time, did not change the locomotor activity of the mice. However, the group concomitantly treated with Nix + ethanol did not develop sensitization to the locomotor-activating effect of ethanol. Another experiment was carried out to determine the effects of Nix on the expression of sensitization to ethanol. Acute pretreatment with Nix did not change the response of the mice that had developed sensitization to ethanol. These data show Nix's prevention of the development of ethanol-induced sensitization but not of its expression, suggesting an important role of the opioid neurotransmitter systems modulating the development of sensitization to the locomotor-activating effect of ethanol.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Calif San Francisco, Dept Neurol, San Francisco, CA 94143 USAUniv Calif San Francisco, Gallo Ctr, San Francisco, CA 94143 USAOregon Hlth Sci Univ, Portland, OR 97201 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Ethanol-induced sensitization depends preferentially on D-1 rather than D-2 dopamine receptors

Behavioral sensitization, defined as a progressive increase in the locomotor stimulant effects elicited by repeated exposure to drugs of abuse, has been used as an animal model for drug craving in humans. the mesoaccumbens dopaminergic system has been proposed to be critically involved in this phenomenon; however, few studies have been designed to systematically investigate the effects of dopaminergic antagonists on development and expression of behavioral sensitization to ethanol in Swiss mice. We first tested the effects of D-1 antagonist SCH-23390 (0-0.03 mg/kg) or D-2 antagonist Sulpiride (0-30 mg/kg) on the locomotor responses to an acute injection of ethanol (2.0 g/kg). Results showed that all tested doses of the antagonists were effective in blocking ethanol's stimulant effects. in another set of experiments, mice were pretreated intraperitoneally with SCH-23390 (0.01 mg/kg) or Sulpiride (10 mg/kg) 30 min before saline or ethanol injection, for 21 days. Locomotor activity was measured weekly for 20 min. Four days following this pretreatment, all mice were challenged with ethanol. Both antagonists attenuated the development of ethanol sensitization, but only SCH-23390 blocked the expression of ethanol sensitization according to this protocol. When we tested a single dose (30 min before tests) of either antagonist in mice treated chronically with ethanol, both antagonists attenuated ethanol-induced effects. the present findings demonstrate that the concomitant administration of ethanol with D-1 but not D-2 antagonist prevented the expression of ethanol sensitization, suggesting that the neuroadaptations underlying ethanol behavioral sensitization depend preferentially on D-1 receptor actions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ São Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Farmacol, BR-05508900 São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, BR-05508900 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed ABC, Ctr Matemat Comp & Cognicao, Santo Andre, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

O exame clínico de observação da discinese escapular é capaz de diferenciar portadores da disfunção dos normais?

Background:Altered scapular rotation and position have been named scapular dyskinesis. Visual dynamic assessment could be applied to classify this alteration based on the clinical observation of the winging of the inferior medial scapular border (Type I) or of the prominence of the entire medial border (Type II), or by the excessive superior translation of the scapula (Type III).Objective:The aim of this study was to determine if there were differences in scapular rotations (Type I and II) and position (Type III) between a group of subjects with scapular dyskinesis, diagnosed by the clinical observation of an expert physical therapist, using a group of healthy individuals (Type IV).Method:Twenty-six asymptomatic subjects volunteered for this study. After a fatigue protocol for the periscapular muscles, the dynamic scapular dyskinesis tests were conducted to visually classify each scapula into one of the four categories (Type IV dyskinesis-free). The kinematic variables studied were the differences between the maximum rotational dysfunctions and the minimum value that represented both normal function and a small dysfunctional movement.Results:Only scapular anterior tilt was significantly greater in the type I dyskinesis group (clinical observation of the posterior projection of the inferior angle of the scapula) when compared to the scapular dyskinesis-free group (p=0.037 scapular and p=0.001 sagittal plane).Conclusions:Clinical observation was considered appropriate only in the diagnoses of dyskinesis type I. Considering the lower prevalence and sample sizes for types II and III, further studies are necessary to validate the clinical observation as a tool to diagnose scapular dyskinesis.Contextualização:A movimentação ou posição alterada da escápula é definida como discinese escapular. O exame visual dinâmico pode ser utilizado para classificá-la de acordo com o julgamento clínico de projeção posterior excessiva da borda inferior medial (tipo I), da borda medial (tipo II) ou ainda translação excessiva no sentido cranial (tipo III).Objetivo: Determinar se há diferenças nas rotações escapulares (tipo I e II) e posição (tipo III) entre grupos de discinese e normais (tipo IV), os quais foram diagnosticados visualmente por um fisioterapeuta experiente.Método:Vinte e seis participantes assintomáticos foram voluntários neste estudo. Após um protocolo de fadiga periescapular, a avaliação dinâmica da discinese foi conduzida para classificar visualmente cada uma das escápulas em uma das quatro categorias (tipo IV - sem discinese). As variáveis cinemáticas estudadas foram a diferença entre o valor máximo indicativo da disfunção e o mínimo valor correspondente ao padrão normal esperado para o movimento ou o mínimo do próprio movimento disfuncional.Resultados:Apenas a inclinação anterior da escápula foi significantemente maior no grupo de discinese tipo I (observação visual de projeção posterior do ângulo inferior da escápula) quando comparada com o grupo sem discinese (p=0,037 plano escapular e p=0,001 plano sagital).Conclusões:A avaliação visual foi considerada apropriada apenas para o diagnóstico da discinese do tipo I. Considerando a baixa prevalência e o tamanho amostral dos tipos II e III, mais estudos são necessários para validar completamente a observação clínica como método adequado para o diagnóstico da discinese escapular.Universidade de São Paulo Ribeirao Preto Medical SchoolUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Human Movement SciencesUniversity of Washington School of MedicineUNIFESP, Department of Human Movement SciencesSciEL

Confiabilidade da Avaliação da Orientação e Posição de Repouso da Escápula de Indivíduos Saudáveis e Sedentários com o Sistema Eletromagnético de Aquisição de Dados

Electromagnetic systems for motion analysis are claimed as a precise technique for tracking position and orientation of human body segments. To date, reliability electromagnetic tracking was described only for the dynamic assessment of the scapula motion, and no reliability studies on its resting posture or positioning were found. The aim of this study was to analyze intra- and inter-session reliabilities and absolute errors of the scapular orientation and position at habitual resting posture in healthy individuals. Twenty-two shoulder symptom-free individuals non participants in professional or recreational sports activities involving upper extremities were volunteers in this study. The equipment used was 3SPACE Liberty system (Polhemus Inc.). The same examiner collected the kinematic data from subjects in two different sessions, with an interval from seven to ten days. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC2,1 and ICC2, k) and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) were calculated. Inter-session reliability ranged from good to excellent (ICC from 0.66 to 0.96) and intra-session reliability was excellent (ICC ≥ 0.97). SEM values found for linear distances were smaller than 0.02 cm and scapular rotations ranged from 0.72° to 5.48°. Results of this study demonstrated that electromagnetic data acquisition of scapula habitual posture is a reliable tool for defining scapular position and orientation in sedentary shoulder symptom-free individuals.Sistemas eletromagnéticos para análise de movimento são conhecidos como precisos para registrar a posição e orientação dos segmentos do corpo humano. Até o momento, a confiabilidade do registro eletromagnético foi descrita apenas para a dinâmica da escápula, não sendo encontrados estudos de confiabilidade da posição de repouso ou postura da mesma. O objetivo deste estudo foi a análise da confiabilidade intra- e inter-sessão e erros absolutos do registro eletromagnético da posição e orientação da escápula na postura habitual de repouso de indivíduos saudáveis. Foram voluntários no estudo 22 indivíduos sem sintomas no complexo articular do ombro e não-praticantes amadores ou profissionais de esporte e atividade física envolvendo os membros superiores. O equipamento utilizado foi o sistema 3SPACE Liberty (Polhemus Inc.). Um mesmo avaliador coletou os dados cinemáticos em duas sessões diferentes com um intervalo de sete a dez dias. O Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse (ICC2,1 e ICC2,k) e o Erro Padrão de Medida (EPM) foram calculados. A confiabilidade inter-sessão variou entre boa a excelente (ICC de 0,66 a 0,96) e a confiabilidade intra-sessão foi sempre excelente (ICC ≥ 0,97). Os valores de EPM encontrados para as distâncias lineares foram menores que 0,02 cm e para as rotações da escápula relativa ao tórax variaram entre 0,72 º e 5,48 º. Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que o registro eletromagnético da posição habitual de repouso da escápula é confiável para determinar a posição e a orientação da mesma em um população sedentária e sem sintomas no complexo articular do ombro.University of São Paulo School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto Department of PhysiotherapyFederal University of São Paulo Department of Human Movement ScienceUniversity of Washington Division of Physical Therapy School of MedicineUNIFESP, Department of Human Movement ScienceSciEL

Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability test (CKCUES test): a reliability study in persons with and without shoulder impingement syndrome

Background: the Close Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUES test) is a low cost shoulder functional test that could be considered as a complementary and objective clinical outcome for shoulder performance evaluation. However, its reliability was tested only in recreational athletes' males and there are no studies comparing scores between sedentary and active samples. the purpose was to examine inter and intrasession reliability of CKCUES Test for samples of sedentary male and female with (SIS), for samples of sedentary healthy male and female, and for male and female samples of healthy upper extremity sport specific recreational athletes. Other purpose was to compare scores within sedentary and within recreational athletes samples of same gender.Methods: A sample of 108 subjects with and without SIS was recruited. Subjects were tested twice, seven days apart. Each subject performed four test repetitions, with 45 seconds of rest between them. the last three repetitions were averaged and used to statistical analysis. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ICC2,1 was used to assess intrasession reliability of number of touches score and ICC2,3 was used to assess intersession reliability of number of touches, normalized score, and power score. Test scores within groups of same gender also were compared. Measurement error was determined by calculating the Standard Error of the Measurement (SEM) and Minimum detectable change (MDC) for all scores.Results: the CKCUES Test showed excellent intersession reliability for scores in all samples. Results also showed excellent intrasession reliability of number of touches for all samples. Scores were greater in active compared to sedentary, with exception of power score. All scores were greater in active compared to sedentary and SIS males and females. SEM ranged from 1.45 to 2.76 touches (based on a 95% CI) and MDC ranged from 2.05 to 3.91 (based on a 95% CI) in subjects with and without SIS. At least three touches are needed to be considered a real improvement on CKCUES Test scores.Conclusion: Results suggest CKCUES Test is a reliable tool to evaluate upper extremity functional performance for sedentary, for upper extremity sport specific recreational, and for sedentary males and females with SIS.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Human Movement Sci, Santos, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Med,Univ, Dept Biomech Med & Rehabil Locomotor Apparat, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, BrazilPhysiotherapy Orthoped Clin, Ribeirao Preto, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Postgrad Program Rehabil & Funct Performance, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Human Movement Sci, Santos, BrazilFAPESP: 2008/50675-6FAPESP: 2008/51456-6Web of Scienc

Amphetamine, but not methylphenidate, increases ethanol intake in adolescent male, but not in female, rats

Introduction: There has been an increasing interest in analyzing the interactions between stimulants and ethanol during childhood and adolescence. Stimulants are used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in these developmental stages, during which ethanol initiation and escalation often occur. Methods: This study assessed the effects of repeated d-amphetamine (AMPH) or methylphenidate (MPH) treatment during adolescence [male and female Wistar rats, between postnatal day (PD) 28 to PD34, approximately] on the initiation of ethanol intake during a later section of adolescence (PD35 to PD40). Results: Amphetamine and MPH exerted reliable acute motor stimulant effects, but there was no indication of sensitized motor or anxiety responses. MPH did not affect dopamine (DA) levels, whereas AMPH significantly reduced insular levels of DA in both sexes and norepinephrine levels in females only. Repeated treatment with AMPH, but not with MPH, enhanced ethanol intake during late adolescence in male, but not in female, rats. Conclusion: A short treatment with AMPH during adolescence significantly altered DA levels in the insula, both in male and females, and significantly enhanced ethanol intake in males. The present results suggest that, in adolescent males, a very brief history of AMPH exposure can facilitate the initiation of ethanol intake.Fil: Ruiz, Paul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; Argentina. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Calliari, Aldo. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Genovese, Patricia. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Scorza, Cecilia. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas "Clemente Estable"; UruguayFil: Pautassi, Ricardo Marcos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Psicología; Argentin

Fluoroscopia para remoção de agulha fraturada por via intraoral

There are few reports in the literature concerning needle fractures during the local administration of anesthetic solution in dental procedures. However, the risk still exists. The patient’s unexpected movement during anesthesia, bending the needle prior to its use in the tissue, incorrectly performed anesthetic technique, uncooperative patient, small needle diameter or size may be considered substantial risks of fracture. At the moment the needle fracture occurs in the tissues it can move to the patient’s vital regions, and it is of utmost importance to remove it. If it is not possible to remove the needle immediately, an oral surgeon should be contacted to remove it under general anesthesia at the hospital. This paper aims to report a case of needle fracture in third molar exodontia during lower alveolar, lingual and buccal right nerve block, referred to the oral and maxillofacial surgery and traumatology department of the State University of Maringá. After clinical examination and tomography assessment, the patient underwent a surgical procedure to remove the needle in the operating room under general anesthesia and aid of trans-operative fluoroscopy. Therefore, we conclude that fluoroscopy is an extremely important resource in cases such as this one, since it allows a guided procedure, reducing the surgical trauma of an exploratory surgery.Há poucos relatos na literatura de fraturas de agulha durante a administração da solução anestésica local em procedimentos odontológicos. Porém o risco ainda existe. O movimento inesperado do paciente durante a anestesia, curvar a agulha antes de utilizá-la no tecido, técnica anestésica realizada incorretamente, paciente não cooperativo, diâmetro ou tamanho pequeno da agulha podem ser considerados riscos consideráveis para a fratura. No momento em que ocorre a fratura da agulha nos tecidos, a mesma pode se deslocar para regiões vitais do paciente, sendo de total importância removê-la. Se não for possível sua remoção imediata, deve-se procurar um especialista cirurgião bucomaxilofacial para removê-la sob anestesia geral no centro cirúrgico. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo relatar um caso de fratura de agulha na exodontia de terceiro molar durante o bloqueio do nervo alveolar inferior, lingual e bucal direito, encaminhado ao serviço de cirurgia e traumatologia bucomaxilofacial da Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Após exame clínico e tomográfico, a paciente foi submetida a um procedimento cirúrgico para a remoção da mesma em centro cirúrgico sob anestesia geral e com auxílio da fluoroscopia transoperatória. Desta maneira, concluímos que a fluoroscopia é um recurso extremamente importante em casos como este, já que possibilita um procedimento guiado, diminuindo o trauma cirúrgico de uma cirurgia exploratória