ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate macro/microscopic viability of the upper pole (UP) in rats after 80 days of subtotal splenectomy preserving the upper pole (SSPUP). Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were submitted to SSPUP. After 80 days, the rats were euthanized, and the remaining UP was evaluated macroscopically regarding appearance, color, consistency, length, width, thickness, and presence of fibrosis/necrosis; and microscopically regarding presence of red and white pulp, fibrosis/necrosis. Results: Two rats died during surgery and were removed from the statistical analysis. There was statistically significant increase in length and width between the pre and postoperative in the experimental group, with no significant difference in thickness. In the manipulation group, the macroscopic appearance of the spleen was normal in pre and postoperative, with viability preserved. In the experimental group, two UP of the spleen were not found during the second surgery. Macroscopically, it was observed absence of fibrosis and necrosis in all cases. Microscopically, the white and red pulp were intact in both groups. Two spleens of rats in the manipulation group presented areas with fibrosis and necrosis focus, which were not enough to be considered inviable. Conclusions: The UP of the spleen remained viable in 91.3% of the cases.

Abstract Genome-wide associations studies (GWAS) are detecting new variants associated with late-onset of Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD), a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder. The variants rs744373 BIN1, rs11136000 CLU and rs3764650 ABCA7 uncovered by GWAS led to different AD pathways, such as metabolism, trafficking and endocytosis of lipids and inflammation. However, most of the association studies did not replicate these variants with significance. This could be due to a small power effect evident when these variants are tested independently with LOAD. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether the combination of different variants would additively modify the risk of association with LOAD that is observed in GWAS. We performed an association study testing pairwise variants in metabolism, trafficking and endocytosis of lipid (rs429358 and rs7412 APOE, rs744373 BIN1, rs3764650 ABCA7 and rs11136000 CLU) pathways with LOAD in samples from southeastern Brazil. Our data suggest a risk effect for LOAD between APOE with CLU and APOE with BIN1 genes.

Abstract Human longevity is a polygenic and multifactorial trait. Pathways related to lifespan are complex and involve molecular, cellular, and environmental processes. In this analytical observational study, we evaluated the relationship between environment factors, oxidative stress status, DNA integrity level, and the association of FOXO3 (rs2802292), SOD2 (rs4880), APOE (rs429358 and rs7412), and SIRT1 (rs2273773) polymorphisms with longevity in oldest-old individuals from southeastern Brazil. We found an association between the FOXO3 GG genotype and gender. While lifestyle, anthropometric, and biochemical characteristics showed significant results, DNA damage and oxidative stress were not related to lifespan. We found that long-lived individuals with FOXO3 GT genotype had low levels of triglycerides. This study is the first to demonstrate that FOXO3 could be a candidate gene for longevity in the Brazilian population. These results are important in terms of provisions of health care for age-related diseases and lifespan, and provide insight for further research on epigenetic, gene regulation, and expression in oldest-old individuals.

PURPOSE: To assess the mutagenic potential of the oxygen inhalation therapy (HBO), by means of the micronucleus test, performed in peripheral blood of rats that underwent subtotal splenectomy with lower pole preservation (ESTPI), after HBO sessions or simulations.METHODS: Eighteen male Wistar rats, were distributed into three groups of six animals: group 1 - submitted to ESTPI and HBO sessions; group 2 - submitted to ESTPI and HBO simulations; group 3 - underwent cyclophosphamide administration. In groups 1 and 2, blood samples from the animals' tails were collected before surgery (T0) and immediately after the 13th HBO session or simulation (T1). In group 3, tail blood samples were collected from animals before (T0) and 24 hours after (T1) cyclophosphamide (CP) delivery. The number of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MNNCE) was determined by blind counting 2000 normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) per animal.RESULTS:Micronuclei average after CP delivery in group 3 was higher than before its use, thus confirming the mutagenic activity of this drug (p=0.01). In groups 1 and 2, no significant difference in the average of Micronuclei was observed when comparing it to blood samples before and after the 13th HBO session or simulation.CONCLUSION: The treatment protocol used in this study did not induce Micronucleus formation in animals submitted to ESTPI and HBO treatment or simulation.