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Supraphysiological doses of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) have been associated to possible nerve tissue damage and behavioral effects. Considering the lack of knowledge of the neural aspects involved in these behavioral alterations, this work aimed to analyze the anxious behavior response or aggressiveness, besides quantifying the neuronal density of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and of the ventral posterior nucleus (VPN) of the medial amygdala. The animals received doses of testosterone cypionate (CT Group) and stanozolol (ST Group) twice a week for 33 days. The effects of chronic administration of AAS related to anxious behavior (as determined by the elevated plus maze [EPM] test) in male animals are observed in a lower number of entries (< 45.25%), and a shorter staying time spent in the open arms (< 41.9%) was observed in the ST. In female animals, a longer staying time spent in the closed arms of the EPM test was observed in the CT (> 15%) as well as a shorter staying time spent in the open arms for CT (< 17.1%) also to ST (< 52.1%). Regarding the neuronal density in BLA, a significant reduction in neuronal density of male animals (17.55%) was observed only in CT, whereas for females, significant differences were found in CT (19.16%) and ST (18.36%). The reduction of neuronal density in VPN in male animals was 13.55% in CT and 17.68% in ST, whereas in group of females it was 13.53% and 14.32%, respectively for CT and ST. Therefore, the two steroids used in this experiment were able to significantly reduce neuronal density in two analyzed areas, regardless of sex, suggesting that indiscriminate use of these substances causes death of brain amygdala neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has grown into aworldwide substance abuse problem over the last decades, with the doses taken by illegal users being 10 to 100 times higher than the therapeutic ones. In the present experiment, 60 mice were divided into 3 groups of 20 animals. Group 1 received testosterone cypionate (Deposteron [EMS, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil]); group 2 received stanozolol (Stanozolol Depot, Landerlan, Lambaré, Paraguay), and group 3 received saline solution), each one composed by 10males and 10 females, treated once a week and put to swimming thrice a week for 2months. After euthanasia, their chests were opened, the hearts removed and processed histologically for morphometric analyses. The specimens were cut into 6 different sections and each onewas measured with the help of an optical microscope with a 40-fold magnification. For such analyses, the Axiovision Rel. 4.8.2 (Carl Zeiss Microscopy LLC, Peabody, MA, USA) and Axiovision 4 Module Interactive Measurement (Carl Zeiss Microscopy LLC) software were used. The results showed that there was an increase in the diameter of the left ventricles in the male mice treated with Deposteron while in the female animals treated with Winstrol, there was a decrease in the left ventricular diameter in relation to the other two groups. Thus, one can conclude that the use of supraphysiological doses of the given AAS significantly alters the ventricular diameter in both male and female animals, which can cause a considerable change in both heart rate and blood pressure, and potentially induce disorders that are very relevant to the organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Birefringence is an optical anisotropy that is investigated by polarisation microscopy, and has been valuable for the study of the oriented organisation of collagen fibres in tendons. However, the application of this technology to evaluate the effect of different acupuncture points during tendon healing has not yet been described. Objectives To evaluate the concentration of non-collagenous proteins (NCP) and birefringence in rat calcaneal tendons following injury during the three different phases of healing: inflammatory (7th day), proliferative (14th day), and remodelling (21st day). Methods Tendons of 120 Wistar rats were tenotomised and left untreated (teno group, n=24), treated with manual acupuncture at ST36 (ST36 group, n=24), BL57 (BL57 group, n=24) or ST36+BL57 (SB group, n=24), or treated with electroacupuncture at ST36+BL57 (EA group, n=24). Tendon samples were collected at 7, 14 and 21 days after injury (n=8 per group). NCP concentrations were measured using the Bradford method (n=4 each) and birefringence was examined using polarisation microscopy and image analysis (n=4 each). Comparison was also made with healthy (non-tenotomised) tendons in a subgroup of rats (n=4 each). Results Manual acupuncture at ST36 and BL57 increased molecular organisation of collagen fibres on day 14 and 21 after injury. Isolated use of BL57 and ST36 also increased collagen fibre organisation when examined on day 14 and 21, respectively. No significant increase in NCP concentration was observed in any of the treated tenotomised groups. Conclusions Acupuncture, through putative anti-inflammatory and mechanotransductor effects, may have a role in strengthening tendons and increasing resistance to re-rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Tendon injuries are difficult to heal properly, and many researchers have attempted to overcome this problem using various approaches. Materials and methods. The authors evaluated the capabil ities of Morus nigra, a widely known plant with many verified therapeutic properties, on injured tendons in the early stages of recovery. Results. The extract did not demonstrate many benefits regarding tendon resistance to applied forces during either phase; however, an increase in the tendon capacity to stretch without rupture was observed in the early stages of repair. The leaf extract visibly accelerated the recovery process after 15 days of treatment, altering the profile of collagen/GAG deposition in the tendons, reducing inflammatory infiltrate and cellularity, with an increase in all MMP-2 forms expression. Conclusions. The leaf extract accelerated the recovery of tendon morphology. Further studies to identify molecule-specific mechanisms could prove beneficial for tendon healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The Achilles tendon is the most injured tendon in humans. There is a close relationship between changes in the structural composition of the extracellular matrix and tendon tissue related to age and menopause because estrogen deficiency can lead to decreased collagen synthesis and a consequent decrease in the strength and elasticity of tendons, indicating a greater propensity for injuries and ruptures. However, there is still a lack of scientific evidence on the relationship between decreased estrogen levels during menopause and the involvement of this structure. This study sought to evaluate the effect of melatonin treatment on the Achilles tendon of ovariectomized Wistar rats and investigate the influence of the treatment on tissue structure, extracellular matrix, and biomechanics. Materials and methods. Light microscopy and polarized light microscopy were used to observe the tendon's morphology using HE and toluidine blue dyes. Tissue biomechanics aspects were tested to assess possible functional changes in organ. Results. Significant changes arose from the ovariectomy processes and melatonin treatment, including histological changes, GAG profile alterations, and biomechanical properties. Conclusions. Melatonin reversed some effects of ovariectomy, but also led to changes in the tendons. Further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between these factors and to identify dose-dependent effects as well as their relationship with the pathophysiology of tendinopathies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Our previous study showed that electroacupuncture (EA) increases the concentration and reorganisation of collagen in a rat model of tendon healing. However, the ultrastructure of collagen fibrils after acupuncture is unknown. Objectives To assess the effect of acupuncture protocols on the ultrastructure of collagen fibrils during tendon healing. Methods Sixty-four rats were divided into the following groups: non-tenotomised (normal group), tenotomised (teno group), tenotomised and subjected to manual acupuncture at ST36 (ST36 group), BL57 (BL57 group) and ST36+BL57 (SB group) and EA at ST36+BL57 (EA group). The mass-average diameter (MAD) and the reorganisation of collagen fibril diameters were determined during the three phases of tendon healing (at 7, 14 and 21 days). Results The MAD increased during the three phases of healing in the SB group. In the EA group, MAD increased initially but was reduced at day 21. The reorganisation of collagen fibrils was improved in the EA and SB groups at days 14 and 21, respectively. EA at day 21 appeared to reduce the reorganisation. Conclusions These results indicate that the use of EA up to day 14 and manual acupuncture at ST36+BL57 up to day 21 improve the ultrastructure of collagen fibrils, indicating strengthening of the tendon structure. These data suggest a potential role for acupuncture in rehabilitation protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon is a clinical problem that motivates the scientific community to search for treatments that assist in restoring its functional properties. Glycine has broad biological effects, acting as a modulator of the inflammatory cascade, and is the predominant amino acid in collagen. A 5% glycine diet provided beneficial effects against toxicity and inflammation since glycine may restructure the collagen molecules faster due to its broad anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose was analyze the effects of a 5% glycine diet in rats as a treatment for the inflammatory process. The experimental groups were as follows: C (control group), G1 and G3 (inflammatory group), and G2 and G4 (glycine+inflammatory group). G1 and G2 were euthanized 8 days following injury, and G3 and G4 were euthanized 22 days following injury. The concentrations of hydroxyproline, non-collagenous proteins, and glycosaminoglycans, as well as the activity of MMP-2 and -9 were analyzed. Biomechanical and morphological tests were employed. Higher concentrations of hydroxyproline and glycosaminoglycans were found in G4 and an increased activity of MMP-2 was found in G2. Higher birefringence was noted in group G2. The biomechanical results indicated that the tendon was more resistant to loading to rupture upon treatment with a glycine diet in group G4. Glycine induced the synthesis of important components of the tendon. A rapid remodeling was noted when compared with the inflamed-only groups. These data suggest that glycine may be a beneficial supplement for individuals with inflammation of the Achilles tendon., (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Statins have been widely prescribed as lipid-lowering drugs and are associated with tendon rupture. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the possible biochemical changes in the Achilles tendon of rats after chronic treatment with statins. Dosages of statins were calculated using allometric scaling with reference to the 80mg/day and 20mg/day, doses recommended for humans. The rats were divided into the following groups: treated with simvastatin (S-20 and S-80), treated with atorvastatin (A-20 and A-80), and the control group that received no treatment (C). Measurements of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the plasma were performed. The levels of non-collagenous proteins, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and hydroxyproline were quantified. Western blotting for collagen I was performed, and the presence of metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 was investigated through zymography. The concentration of non-collagenous proteins in S-20 was less than the C group. There was a significant increase in pro-MMP-2 activity in A-80 group and in active MMP-2 in S-20 group compared to the C group. A significant increase in latent MMP-9 activity was observed in both the A-80 and S-20 groups when compared to C group. In the A-20 group, there was a lower amount of collagen I in relation to C group. In addition, a higher concentration of hydroxyproline was found in the S-20 group than the C group. The analysis of GAGs showed a significant increase in the A-20 group when compared to C group. The treatment induced remarkable alterations in the Achilles tendon and the response of the tissue seems to depend of the used statin dosage. The presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is evidence of the degradation and remodeling processes in the extracellular matrix of the tendons. Our results show that statins induce imbalance of extracellular matrix components and possibly induce microdamage in tendons., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)