ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the contribution of L-arginine oral or topical rout of administration in the surgical wound healing process. METHODS: L-arginine was orally or topically administrated to mice after a laparotomy model procedure. The wounds were analyzed to evaluate the granulation tissue by HE analysis, collagen deposition, iNOS and cytokines production by immunochemisyry on wound progress. Mice used in this model were healthy, immunosupressed or diabetic and all of them were treated with different concentration of L-arginine and rout of administration. RESULTS: Suggested that groups treated with L-arginine orally or topically improved wound repair when compared with non-treatad mice. L- arginine treatment stimulated TGF-β and restricted NO production leading to a mild Th1 response and collagen deposition in injured area, when it was orally administrated. Topical administration decreased IL-8 and CCR1 expression by wound cells but did not interfere with TNF-α and IL-10 production, ratifying the decrease of inflammatory response, the oral administration however, presented a higher iNOS and TGF-β expression then. L-arginine treatment also improved the improved the wound healing in immunosupressed or diabetic mice. CONCLUSION: L-arginine administrated orally or topically can be considered an important factor in the recuperation of tissues.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of pneumoperitoneum on colonic anastomosis healing. METHODS: Colonic anastomosis was performed in 120 rats divided into four groups: Group I - pneumoperitoneum before laparotomy, Group II - pneumoperitoneum after laparorrhaphy, Group III - pneumoperitoneum before laparotomy and after laparorrhaphy, Group IV - no pneumoperitoneum (control group). Pneumoperitoneum pressure was 5 mmHg. Animals were killed on the 3rd, 7th and 14th postoperative day. Hhistopathological features, anastomosis breaking strength, collagen histomorphometry and hydroxyproline concentration were assessed. RESULTS: Breaking strength between groups: (day 3, p=0.165; day 7, p=0.219; day 14, p=0.539). Histopathology revealed that group II had, on day 7, less infiltration of mononuclear cells (p=0.006), greater infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells (p=0.001) and greater necrosis (p=0.001); and on day 14, less fibrosis. Histomorphometry revealed a decrease in collagen in groups I and III (p<0.001) on day 7 and an increase in groups I and II on day 14 (p<0.001). Hydroxyproline concentration was similar for groups on days 3 (p=0.152), 7 (p=0.913) or 14 (p=0.981). CONCLUSION: Carbon dioxide does not impair the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a distância percorrida por indivíduos eutróficos e com diferentes graus de obesidade e correlacionar com parâmetros espirométricos. A justificativa para o estudo se faz pela dificuldade de avaliar a capacidade funcional de obesos, e devido ao baixo custo do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6') e sua boa especificidade em predizer reduzida capacidade de atividades de vida diária para todo e qualquer indivíduo. MÉTODOS: Avaliados 154 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos, divididos em dois grupos: G1 obesos (n = 93, IMC ≥ 30 kg/m²) e G2 eutróficos (n = 61, IMC de 18,5 a 24,99 kg/m²). O TC6' foi realizado com metodologia descrita pela ATS (2002). A espirometria foi realizada antes e após a aplicação do broncodilatador (BD) conforme as Diretrizes para Testes de Função Pulmonar da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia: SBPT-2002. Análise estatística composta por média, desvio-padrão, correlação de Pearson, Teste t de Student e de Spearman, considerando p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A análise do TC6' com a espirometria para o G1 apresentou correlação positiva apenas para o pico de fluxo expiratório (PFE) pré- e pós-BD. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo apresentou correlação positiva entre o PFE pré- e pós-BD e a distância percorrida no TC6' em obesos, ou seja, quanto maior o PFE, maior a capacidade físico-funcional do indivíduo e consequentemente maior a distância percorrida

OBJECTIVE: To assess the distance covered by both eutrophic individuals and individuals with different grades of obesity and correlate the data obtained with spirometric values. This study is justified by the existing difficulty in assessing the functional capacity in obese individuals, and by the low cost and good specificity of six-minute walk test (6MWT) in predicting reduced capacity for activities of daily living for any individual. METHODS: One hundred fifty-four individuals of both genders were assessed after being divided into two groups: G1, obese individuals (n = 93, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and G2, eutrophic individuals (n = 61, BMI 18.5 to 24.99 kg/m²). The 6MWT was performed using the methodology described by the American Thoracic Society (ATS-2002). Spirometry was performed both before and after the application of a bronchodilator agent (BDA) in accordance with the Guidelines for Pulmonary Function Tests by the Brazilian Society of Pneumology and Phthisiology (SBPT-2002). The statistical analysis, consisting of mean, standard deviation, Pearson's correlation, Student's t test and Spearman's correlation, considered p < 0.05. RESULTS: The 6MWT analysis with spirometry for G1 was positively correlated only with pre- and post-BDA peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). CONCLUSION: The present study showed a positive correlation between pre- and post-BDA PEFR and the distance covered in the 6MWT in obese subjects, that is, the higher the PEFR, the higher the physico-functional capacity of the individual, and consequently, the greater the distance covered

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar dados antropométricos e de FMR de mulheres eutróficas e obesas. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi formada por 103 mulheres sedentárias, dividas em dois grupos: 57 obesas e 46 eutróficas. Foram realizadas medidas da circunferência da cintura (CC) e do quadril (CQ) para cálculo da relação cintura/quadril (RC/Q) e coletados as Pressões Respiratórias Máximas (PRM) pela manovacuometria com aparelho analógico de ± 300cmH2O. Para a mensuração da composição corporal, utilizou-se a Bioimpedância Tetrapolar, análise descritiva com o teste T de Student para amostras independentes, correlação de Pearson e regressão linear múltipla com método stepwise. O nível de significância adotado foi p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A análise demonstrou diferença significativa nas PRM de eutróficas (Pimáx = -73,04±16,55 cm H2O e Pemáx = 79,67±18,89 cm H2O) e de obesas (Pimáx = -85,00±21,69 cm H2O e Pemáx=103,86±20,35 cm H2O). As variáveis da antropometria e da manovacuometria não apresentaram correlação significante nos grupos. Ao analisar a influência da bioimpedância sobre a FMR, observou-se uma correlação positiva da quantidade de massa magra com a Pimáx. CONCLUSÃO: As variavéis da bioimpedância e a obesidade apresentaram uma relação direta com a FMR. As variáveis CC e RC/Q não influenciaram na FMR nas obesas, porém há uma relevância com os fatores de risco para doenças associadas. Acreditamos que esses resultados se devam a uma adaptação ao excesso de peso ao longo dos anos.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate anthropometrical data and RMS of eutrophic and obese women. METHODS: The study group comprised 103 sedentary women, divided into two groups: 57 obese and 46 eutrophic. For measurement of body composition, the Tetrapolar Bioimpedance was used. Measurements of waist and hip circumference were performed to calculate the waist/hip (W/H) ratio, and maximum respiratory pressures (MRP) were collected by analog manovacumeter with ± 300cm H2O. For data evaluation descriptive analysis and the Student's t Test for independent samples were used, as well as the Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression with stepwise method. The level of significance used was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Analysis showed a significant difference in MRPs of eutrophic (MIP = -73.04 ± 16.55cmH2O and MEP = 79.67 ± 18.89cmH2O) and obese (MIP = -85.00 ± 21.69cmH2O and MEP = 103.86 ± 20.35cmH2O). The anthropometry and manovacumetry variables showed no significant correlation in the groups. A positive correlation of the lean mass with the MIP was noted, when analising the bioimpedance influence on the RMS. CONCLUSION: The bioimpedance variables and obesity showed a direct relation with the RMS. The W/H ratio and WC variables had no influence on the obese RMS, however a relevance to the risk factors for associated diseases was found. We believe that these results are due to an adjustment to the excess weight over the years.