Lucia M V de Almeida

Publications (2)8.08 Total impact

• Article: Glial alterations in the hippocampus of rats submitted to ibotenic-induced lesion of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis.

  Alessandra Swarowsky, Letícia Rodrigues, Regina Biasibetti, Marina C Leite, Lucas Fürstenau de Oliveira, Lucia M V de Almeida, Carmem Gottfried, Jorge A Quillfeldt, Matilde Achaval, Carlos-Alberto Gonçalves
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  ABSTRACT: Lesion of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (nbm) is a suitable approach to study cognitive deficit and behavior alterations involving cholinergic dysfunction, which is associated with the major types of dementia. Cortical astrogliosis also has been described in this model, but it is not clear whether hippocampal astrocytes are activated. In this study, we investigated possible specific astrocyte alterations in the hippocampi of Wistar rats submitted to nbm damage with ibotenic acid, investigating the content and immunohistochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), as well as S100B protein content, glutamate uptake and glutamine synthetase activity on the 7th and 28th post-lesion days. Cognitive deficit was confirmed by the step-down inhibitory avoidance task. Interestingly, we found a decrease in GFAP content, S100B content and glutamate uptake activity in the hippocampus on the 28th day after nbm lesion. No alterations were observed in glutamine synthetase activity or in the cerebrospinal fluid S100B content. Although our data suggest caution in the use of nbm lesion with ibotenic acid as a dementia model, it is possible that these alterations could contribute to the cognitive deficit observed in these rats.
  Behavioural Brain Research 08/2008; 190(2):206-11. · 3.42 Impact Factor
• Article: Serum S100B and antioxidant enzymes in bipolar patients.

  Ana Cristina Andreazza, Carina Cassini, Adriane Ribeiro Rosa, Marina Concli Leite, Lucia M V de Almeida, Patrícia Nardin, Angelo B N Cunha, Keila Maria Ceresér, Aida Santin, Carmem Gottfried, Mirian Salvador, Flavio Kapczinski, Carlos Alberto Gonçalves
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  ABSTRACT: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, severe, and highly disabling psychiatric disorder; peripheral markers have been used to assess biochemical alterations associated with BD and/or possibly involved in its pathophysiology. Beyond neuronal commitment, many groups have proposed the involvement of glial activity in psychiatric disorders. Other biochemical markers, particularly associated with oxidative stress, have been studied in BD. In the present study, we evaluated glial involvement and oxidative stress in patients with BD. Glial activity was assessed by measuring serum S100B content; oxidative stress was assessed using serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and activities of antioxidant enzymes in BD patients during different episodes of disease. We found a significant increment of serum S100B during episodes of mania and depression, but not in euthymic patients. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as well the SOD/glutathione peroxidase plus catalase ratio, was also increased in manic and depressed patients. On the other hand, TBARS levels were increased in BD patients regardless of the phase of the disorder. These findings suggest a potential oxidative damage in BD patients. This peripheral oxidative imbalance indicates that systemic changes are taking place during the active phases of the illness. Such changes appear to relate to astrocyte function, as indicated by serum S100B elevation.
  Journal of Psychiatric Research 10/2007; 41(6):523-9. · 4.66 Impact Factor