Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2003"
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- Histological changes and impairment of liver mitochondrial bioenergetics after long-term treatment with alpha-naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT)Publication . Palmeira, CM; Ferreira, FM; Rolo, AP; Oliveira, PJ; Santos, MS; Moreno, AJ; Cipriano, MA; Martins, MI; Seiça, RThis study was designed to evaluate the effects of long-term treatment with alpha-naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT) on liver histology and at the mitochondrial bioenergetic level. Since, ANIT has been used as a cholestatic agent and it has been pointed out that an impairment of mitochondrial function is a cause of hepatocyte dysfunction leading to cholestatic liver injury, serum markers of liver injury were measured and liver sections were analyzed in ANIT-treated rats (i.p. 80 mg/kg/week x 16 weeks). Mitochondrial parameters such as transmembrane potential, respiration, calcium capacity, alterations in permeability transition susceptibility and ATPase activity were monitored. Histologically, the most important features were the marked ductular proliferation, proliferation of mast cells and the presence of iron deposits in ANIT-treated liver. Mitochondria isolated from ANIT-treated rats showed no alterations in state 4 respiration, respiratory control ratio and ADP/O ratio, while state 3 respiration was significantly decreased. No changes were observed on transmembrane potential, but the repolarization rate was decreased in treated rats. Consistently with these data, there was a significant decrease in the ATPase activity of treated mitochondria. Associated with these parameters, mitochondria from treated animals exhibited increased susceptibility to mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening (lower calcium capacity). Since, human cholestatic liver disease progress slowly overtime, these data provide further insight into the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the process.
- Efeitos da amiodarona na tiroide: aspectos actuaisPublication . Campos, MVAmiodarone is a benzofuranic-derivate iodine-rich drug widely used for the treatment of tachyarrhythmias. In 14-18% of amiodarone-treated patients, there is overt thyroid disfunction, either amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism (AIT) or amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (AIH). Both AIT and AIH, may develop in apparently normal thyroid glands or in glands with preexisting, clinically silent abnormalities. In this article the author review the problems concerning the diagnosis and treatment of these two different situations.
- Evolução dos Esquemas Terapêuticos Anti-Retrovíricos nos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra entre 1996 e Agosto de 2003Publication . Campelo, L; Lebre, AC; Proença, MM; Santos, RC; Isabel, O
- Mastocitose sistemática: a propósito de uma caso clínicoPublication . Melo, M; Deus, A; Aragão, A; Magalhães, E; Santos, F; Saldanha, MH
- Caracterização dos doentes com síndrome de alergia múltipla a fármacosPublication . Faria, E; Carrapatoso, I; Loureiro, C; Todo-Bom, A; Chieira, C
- Disfunção tiroideia no recém-nascidoPublication . Campos, MV; Campos, BThe authors refer to congenic hypothyroidism, hypotyroxinemia in premature new-borns, thyroid dysfunction, congenic thyrotoxicosis, breastfeeding, composed anti-thyroid drugs and children nutrition based on iodine. Concerning to the fetus and new-born thyroid dysfunction, it's very important to make an early diagnosis in order to avoid later complications. Several studies revealed that the different types of composed anti-thyroid drugs can induce pregnant woman choice.
- Carvedilol: Relação Entre A Actividade Antioxidante e Inibição da Transição de Permeabilidade MitocondrialPublication . Oliveira, PJ; Esteves, T; Rolo, AP; Monteiro, P; Gonçalves, L; Palmeira, CM; Moreno, AJOBJECTIVES: The mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is an event related to severe oxidative stress (for example, during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion) and excessive mitochondrial calcium accumulation, also being implicated in cell death. In this study, we compared the effect of carvedilol on the cardiac MPT induced by calcium and phosphate (Ca/Pi) and calcium/carboxyatractyloside (Ca/Catr). Oxidative stress plays a major role in MPT induction by Ca/Pi, leading to the oxidation of protein thiol groups, in contrast with Ca/Catr, where such oxidation is secondary to MPT induction and is not caused by oxidative stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mitochondria were isolated from rat hearts and parameters related to MPT induction were evaluated (n = 5 for each inducer): mitochondrial swelling and oxidation of protein thiol groups (both measured by spectrophotometry). RESULTS: Using Ca/Pi, carvedilol protected mitochondria from MPT induction, particularly in its high conductance form. Its effect was demonstrated by analyzing the decrease in mitochondrial swelling amplitude. Simultaneously, we observed inhibition of protein thiol group oxidation (p < 0.001). By contrast, carvedilol did not show any protective effect with Ca/Catr. CONCLUSIONS: Carvedilol was only effective against the MPT when the oxidation of protein thiol groups was the cause and not the consequence of the MPT phenomenon. The results clearly show that during myocardial aggressions (ischemia and reperfusion, for example), the protective effect of carvedilol is primarily due to an antioxidant mechanism, inhibiting the production and effects of reactive oxygen species.
- Domino liver transplantation using FAP grafts. HUC experience: hopes and realitiesPublication . Furtado, ALDomino liver transplantation using FAP livers (DLTx/FAP) has become a worldwide strategy that is contributing significantly to the increase in liver grafts offered in Portugal. The safety of the procedure both in the FAP donors and in the recipients is emphasized in the series of 64 DLTx/FAP that has already been performed in the Hospital of the University of Coimbra (HUC). The occurrence of amyloidosis in the long-term survivors after DLTx/FAP is a serious possibility, although after 6 and 7 years post-transplant no symptoms have been reported by any of the patients. Indeed, amyloid deposits, although small, have been found in the skin and nerve biopsies of the first domino recipients (HUC unpublished data). Hopes that the disease will have a slow course in non-genetically affected patients still awaits the proof of time. Thus, DLTx/FAP should be considered an experimental procedure, although there is good reason to expect that the amyloidosis in the DLTx/FAP recipients will have a longer time course than in the genetically affected donors. The ethical implications of all these facts and expectations are discussed. A case by case approach is recommended. In such an approach, individual prognosis, urgency, graft shortage and the will of very well-informed patients or their legal representatives are determinants for judicious decisions when considering DLTx/FAP in patients under 50 years of age.
- Imagem em Cacho de Uva da parótida 24 horas após uma sialografiaPublication . Barcelos, A; Pereira da Silva, JA
- Blue rubber-bleb nevus syndrome: report of a familial case with a dural arteriovenous fistulaPublication . Carvalho, S; Barbosa, V; Santos, N; Machado, EWe report a case of a 45-year-old woman known to have a familial form of blue rubber-bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS). The patient developed severe occipital headaches and bilateral retroauricular bruits. Cerebral angiography showed a large dural arteriovenous fistula in the torcular region. Central nervous system involvement in BRBNS is not often reported, and most cases of BRBNS are sporadic.