Gerardo Barragan

Instituto Nacional de Pediatría | INP · Neurociencias

Neurotoxicity is a major obstacle in the effectiveness of Cisplatin in cancer chemotherapy. In this process, oxidative stress and inflammation are considered to be the main mechanisms involved in brain and lung toxicity. The aim of the present work was to study the influence of the amount of protein on some oxidative parameters in the brain and lun...

Research on the relationships between oligoelements (OE) and the development of cancer or its prevention is a field that is gaining increasing relevance. The aim was to evaluate OE and their interactions with oncology treatments (cytarabine or etoposide) to determine the effects of this combination on biogenic amines and oxidative stress biomarkers...

Case Summary Female nurse, 44-years-old with a weight of 127 pounds. She attended our emergency clinic for an urgent care due to post COVID-19 vertigo and anxiety. Her problem began with severe, short-lived attacks of objective-circular type vertigo, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The symptoms occurred when she assumed a lying position, turn r...

The ability and facility of magnesium (Mg2+) and zinc (Zn2+) to interact with phosphate ions confer them the characteristics of essential trace elements. Trace elements are extremely necessary for the basic nucleic acid chemistry of cells of all known living organisms. More than 300 enzymes require zinc and magnesium ions for their catalytic action...

Objetivo: Evaluar el desempeño cognitivo en preescolares con HC incorporados a un programa de seguimiento. Pacientes y Método: Estudio prospectivo de 93 pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de HC. Se evaluó el Cociente Intelectual (CI) mediante Escala de Inteligencia de Wechsler para preescolar y primaria (WPPSI) a los 4 y 5 años y WISC-R a los 6...

The objective was compare the morphological damages in brain and to evaluate the participation of oxidative stress, using two animal models of shaken baby syndrome (SBS). Five-day-old Wistar rats were used to develop two models of SBS as follows: Gyrotwister (GT) group was subjected to low intensity, high duration rotating movements and Ratshaker (...

Eighty-five percent of the studies of patients with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) treated with Levothyroxine (L-T4) report neuropsychological sequelae throughout life. In neonates and infants, there is a deficit in sensorimotor skills (impaired balance). In preschool and elementary school children and adolescents, there are alterations in intellec...

Several risks for diseases, such as atherosclerosis, renal diseases, and diabetes, have inextricably been linked with obesity. Nowadays, this health-risk-laden disease is being managed with assorted types of drugs, some of which guarantee modest benefits. The chronic inflammatory effect of obesity has a negative effect in insulin signaling, a situa...

Aim: The purpose was to measure the effect of Oseltamivir on oxidative biomarkers and dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in brain of rats with induced hypotriglyceridemia by Bezafibrate.Male young Wistar rats were treated as follows: group 1, NaCl 0.9%, (Controls); group 2, Oseltamivir (100 mg/kg); group 3, single dose of Bezafibrate (150 mg/kg...

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of sildenafil on dopamine, 5-hydroxyindol acetic acid (5-HIAA) and selected biomarkers of oxidative stress in the brain of hypoglycemic rats. The animals were treated intraperitoneally as follows: group 1 (control), saline solution; group 2, insulin (10 U per rat or 50 U kg-1); group 3, insul...

Background: Oleic acid (OA) is a monounsaturated compound with many health-benefitting properties such as obesity prevention, increased insulin sensitivity, antihypertensive and immune-boosting properties, etc. Within the untold benefits of this fatty acid is the novelty of anticancer property. OA can interact with cancer cell proteins and increase...

The aim was to determine the effect of zinc (Zn) and insulin on oxidative stress and levels of dopamine in brain of rats. Wistar rats were treated either with zinc alone or combined with insulin during 10 days. After the last dose blood glucose was measured. Their brains were extracted to measure H2O2, Ca⁺², Mg⁺² ATPase, glutathione (GSH), lipid pe...

Background & objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the effect on brain biomarkers after treatment with anticancer compounds - cytarabine (CT) and ferric carboxymaltose (FC) (Fe+3) in Wistar rats. The Wistar rats were treated as follows: group 1 (control), NaCl 0.9%; group 2, CT (25 mg/k), group 3, FC(Fe+3) (50 mg/k) and group 4, CT +...

Background: Neurological disorders suggest that the excitotoxicity involves a drastic increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations and the formation of reactive oxygen species. The presence of these free radicals may also affect the dopaminergic system. The aim of this work was to determine if riboflavin (B2) and pyridoxine (B6) provide protectio...

Aim: This study tested the hypothesis that folic acid (FA) modulates biogenic amines and protects the brain against oxidative stress induced by 3-nitropropionic acid (3NPA). Methods: Male Wistar rats received (groups of six) for 5 d: FA (50 mg/kg); 3NPA (10 mg/kg); or FA +3NPA. At last day, rats were sacrificed, and their brain was obtained to meas...

Background: Cyclodextrins are active pharmaceutical ingredients to treat neurological diseases by reducing neurotoxicity. The aim of this study was to test if combined consumption of β-cyclodextrin (BCD) and Oleic acid (OA) potentiates brain antioxidant protection. Methods: Four groups of young Wistar rats, grouped in 6 animals each, were treate...

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of splenda and stevia on dopamine and 5-HIAA levels, and some biomarkers of oxidative stress in the presence of cytarabine. Methods: Forty-eight young male Wistar rats each with a weight of 80 g (four weeks of age), distributed in six groups of eight animals each, were treated as follow...

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oseltamivir and indomethacin on lipid peroxidation (LP), GABA levels, and ATPase activity in brain and stomach of normal and infected rats (IR), as novel inflammation model. Female Sprague Dawley rats grouped five each, either in the absence or presence of a live culture of Salmonella typhimurium...

Results: Dopamine and 5-HIAA levels decreased significantly in the group that received trace elements and diazoxide in the hemisphere regions, while in cerebellum/medulla oblongata, dopamine levels increased significantly in the groups that received diazoxide alone in. Lipid peroxidation in all brain regions increased significantly in the groups t...

Background & objective: Multiple classes of natural products, such as antiandrogens or steroids have been used as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory treatments in neurodegenerative diseases. This paper aims to review current knowledge on these substances and their possible relationship with free radicals as an alternative therapy and prevention of...

Aim: The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of doxorubicin and cytarabine on biogenic amines and oxidative biomarkers in brain of rats treated with oleic acid. Methods: Thirty-six Wistar rats distributed in 6 groups, were treated as follows: group 1 (control), NaCl 0.9%; group 2 doxorubicin (1mg/kg); group 3 cytarabine (70mg /kg);...

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of oseltamivir and indomethacin on dopamine and 5-HIAA levels and some oxidative biomarkers in brain and stomach of young rats in conditions of infection. Methods: Female Sprague Dawley rats in absence or presence of a live culture of Salmonella typhimurium (S.Typh), were treated as...

The study tested the hypothesis that cerebrolysin protects the brain from free radicals in rats treated with 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA). To address this hypothesis, the levels of dopamine (DA) and some oxidative stress biomarkers were measured after administration of 3-NPA. Young male Fischer rats were treated for three days with cerebrolysin, 3...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pyridoxine and zanamivir on dopamine (DA) levels and biomarkers of oxidative stress in brain of rats in presence of sucrose. Thirty six Wistar rats divided in six groups, comprising of 6 rats each. The rats were made to receive for 5 consecutive days intraperitoneal administrations of the followin...

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is produced in the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and hypothalamus of the brain. Dysfunction of the dopamine system has been implicated in different nervous system diseases. The level of dopamine transmission increases in response to any type of reward and by a large number of strongly additive drugs....

Oseltamivir is used for the treatment of AH1N1 swine influenza in Mexico. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of oseltamivir on dopamine levels in patients exposed to vitamins A, D, and C as well as to ozone. For this, forty male Wistar rats (80 g) were divided into 6 groups. A combination of oseltamivir (20 vmg/kg) with A (39 v0...

For drugs and chemical products that have been in the vanguard of successful strategies of new therapeutic regimen, the emphasis has been placed on alternative therapies with the power of enhancing their therapeutic values. Natural or chemical drugs used to treat a variety of conditions such as antioxidants and inflammation could induce better cura...

The purpose of this work is to know the effect of flutamide and a novel synthetic steroid 3β-p-Iodobenzoyloxypregnan-4,16- diene-6,20-dione (IBP) on the levels of dopamine, 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindole acetic acid), and some oxidative stress markers in animal model with Huntington disease. Thirty male Wistar rats divided in groups of 6 animals each were...

Flutamide is a drug used in the treatment of androgen-dependent disorders. However, this treatment is usually accompanied by some adverse side effects. The aim of this work was to analyse the effect of flutamide and to compare this effect with that of a synthetic steroid - 3β-propionyloxy-5-androsten-17-one (PPA) - on levels of dopamine and some ox...

Hypoxic encephalopathy is a leading cause of disability and requires new therapeutic strategies. Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) is an essential cofactor of fundamental enzymes involved in glucose metabolism. TPP reduction may lead to ATP synthesis failure and cell death. The objective of this study was to determine if TPP administration can reduce ce...

Hypoxic encephalopathy is a leading cause of disability and requires new therapeutic strategies. Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) is an essential cofactor of fundamental enzymes involved in glucose metabolism. TPP reduction may lead to ATP synthesis failure and cell death. The objective of this study was to determine if TPP administration can reduce ce...

Unlabelled: Flutamide is a drug used in the treatment of androgen-dependent disorders. However, this treatment is usually accompanied by some adverse side effects. The aim of this work was to analyse the effect of flutamide and to compare this effect with that of a synthetic steroid - 3β-propionyloxy-5-androsten-17-one (PPA) - on levels of dopamin...

The study aimed to determine the effect of morphine and lacosamide on levels of dopamine and 5-HIAA in a hypoglycemic model. Female Wistar rats (n = 30), mean weight of 180 g were treated as follow: Group 1 (control) received 0.9% NaCl, Group II; morphine (10 mg kg(-1)), Group III; lacosamide (10 mg kg(-1)), Group IV; insulin (10 U.I. per rat), Gro...

Diazepam is a long-acting classical benzodiazepine. The anticonvulsant properties of this and other benzodiazepines may be in part or entirely due to binding to voltage-dependent sodium channels rather than benzodiazepine receptors. Diazepam is highly lipid-soluble, is widely distributed throughout the body after administration, and easily crosses...

Opiates are the most effective treatment for acute and chronic severe pain. However, for the fact that they provoke the development of analgesic tolerance as observed in human studies, their clinical utility is often lower. Morphine is a principal opiate, but to get an equivalent pain relief with it, the doses of administration need to be constantl...

The effect of antidepressives drugs in brain as outcome bias oxidative stress combined with an antiobesity in hyperglycemic model is unknown and this is the core objective of the present study. L-camitine (165 mg kg(-1)) and desvenlafaxine (8.5 mg kg(-1)) in the presence or absence of sucrose 20% were administered intraperitoneally to young rats fo...

Unlabelled: The effect of nicotine on membrane alterations and fluidity changes in very young models remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nicotine on total ATPase, H(2)O(2) and calcium in brain of young rats in the presence of oligoelements. Male Wistar rats (weight 80 g) received intraperitoneally either a single d...

Pharmacological treatment of dyslipidemia in children is an option for reducing the prevalence of this metabolic disease, it is therefore necessary to expand the research studies on this type of drugs in children affected with this disease: because the medicines available have been developed for adult patients.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to understand the mechanism of nicotine mediated addiction and the role of oli-goelements in reducing its effect. Methods: Male Wistar rats (weight 80 g) were treated with single and repeated doses of nicotine and/or oligoelements as follows: group 1 (control) NaCl 0.9%; group 2, nicotine (1 mg/kg); group 3, oli-g...

A number of drugs, like sibutramine, which are used clinically in weight control, act on serotonergic metabolism. However, their relation with zinc and free radical (FR) production in central nervous system remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sibutramine and zinc on FR production. Female Wistar rats (about 250 g) were used i...

Malnutrition contributes to the development of oxidative damage in the central nervous system. The selective administration of nutrients tends to show positive results in individuals who have suffered from malnutrition. To determine the effect of the administration of cocoa powder on the peroxidation of lipids and glutathione level during the nutri...

Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor effective for treating both seasonal flu and H5N1 influenza A virus infections. However, its effect on 5-HIAA and calcium in very young models remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of oseltamivir on 5-HIAA and calcium of young rats’ brain in presence of oligoelements. Male Wi...

The aim was to evaluate if cerebrolysin in combination with dantrolene alter the effect of oxidative damage in different regions of brain and their relation with levels of Ca2+. Wistar rats (5 per group) received treatments as follows: group I control (mannitol 50mg/mL), group II cerebrolysin, group III dantrolene and group IV cerebrolysin and dant...

Fulvic acid (FA) is a class of compound including humic substances together with humic acid and humin. It is formed through the degradation of organic substances by chemical and biological process. FA consists of a mixture of closely related complex aromatic polymers with the presence of aromatic rings, phenolic hydroxyl, ketone carbonyl, quinone c...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sildenafil and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) (drugs used in erectile dysfunction) on production of free radicals in prostate and brain of rat. A single dose of sildenafil (10 mg kg(-1) ) and PGE1 (20 μg kg(-1) ) was given to Sprague-Dawley rats (300 g weight) intraperitoneally. The levels of testosteron...

Flutamide is a steroid used to treat androgen-dependent disorders and as antiepileptic, but it induces a number of non-desirable side effects. This work was aimed at assaying the effect of flutamide and two novel synthetic steroids on the levels of GABA, glutamine and oxidative stress markers. Male Wistar rats (weight 180 g) received a single diaze...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of orlistat, a drug used in weight loss, on 5-HT and indicators of oxidative stress in rat brain. Orlistat, 12 mg/kg was administered to Wistar rats as single dose or successive doses on 3 consecutive days. Blood glucose and oxidative stress indicators were detected by measurement of lipid peroxidati...

The effect that osteltamivir has on the metabolism of catecholamines and oxidative damage in the brains of young patients remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of oseltamivir, in the presence of oligoelements, on biogenic amines and select oxidative biomarkers in the brains of uninfected, young rats under normal cond...

Obesity could be described as the New World Syndrome and some drugs that are clinically used in weight control, like sibutramine and orlistat, act on adult and children. Most Free Radicals (FR) are generated from normal metabolic reactions, and exogenous factors can decrease or increase them, for this reason is necessary the study of serotonergic s...

The leptine is a hormonal peptide produced by the adiposities in the fatty tissue and acts on the receptors in the brain to regulate the corporal weight and the fat deposits, which, in excess induce the obesity causing a multifactor metabolic disorder that at the moment is considered a health problem. In the present revision are important findings,...

Some drugs that are clinically used in weight control, like sibutramine, act on the serotonergic metabolism, but its relation with free radical (FR) production in the CNS is still unknown. The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of sibutramine on FR production. Female and male Wistar rats (250 g weight) were used; the animals received sibutr...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of cyproterone acetate (CPA, A) compared with new synthetic steroids 3alpha-acetoxy-5,6-epoxy-16-pregnen-20-one (B) and 17alpha-hydroxy-16beta-methyl-1,4,6-pregnatriene-3,20-dione (C) in rat prostate and brain. Groups of animals were treated either with A, B or C (4 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) by the intr...

Environmental pollutants, chemicals, and drugs have an impact on children's immune system development. Mexico City (MC) children exposed to significant concentrations of air pollutants exhibit chronic respiratory inflammation, systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, and cognitive deficits. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to severe air poll...

We have compared the frequency and types of cancer chemotherapies used in a private hospital and in a government-based hospital in Mexico City. A retrospective study was conducted from January 2005 to December 2007, and therapeutic management determined in 415 cases reviewed by the attending physicians of the oncology service. In the government-bas...

Exposure to air pollution is associated with neuroinflammation in healthy children and dogs in Mexico City. Comparative studies were carried out in healthy children and young dogs similarly exposed to ambient pollution in Mexico City. Children from Mexico City (n: 55) and a low polluted city (n:18) underwent psychometric testing and brain magnetic...

The aim was to evaluate if morphine sulphate combined with cerebrolysin enhances the risk of oxidative damage in the presence of moderate hypoglycaemia. Wistar rats under starvation for 48h received a single dose of 215 mg/kg cerebrolysin or 4 mg/kg morphine sulphate. Glutathione (GSH) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels were measured in...

At the present time the ingestion of foods and drinks manufactured with sweeteners has been increased, and aspartame (Asp) is the most used sweetener in food elaboration for children and adults, in more than 90 countries. Recent studies have related the consumption of Asp to the development of metabolic alterations and the increase of neurological...

None of experimental models used to study the toxic effect of unconjugated bilirubin brain accumulation, reproduce the conditions in which the hyperbilirubinemia is a consequence of a hemolytic process, i.e. when important amounts of bilirubin and iron are released. The aim was to develop an animal model to determine the role of bilirubin and iron,...

Nutritional support is a critical step in caring for hospitalized patients both to avoid possible metabolic alterations that would worsen the patient's condition, or as a direct result of a particular disease. The purpose of the present study was to describe a procedure for the prescription of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), its administration, m...

Brain membrane Na+, K+ ATPase activity is a crucial enzyme responsible for the active transport of sodium and potassium ions. It is involved in neurochemical events due to internal or external ions and different molecules, including oxygen and nitrogen metabolism of free radicals. Free radicals mainly induce to oxidative stress, DNA damage and cell...

Controlled exposures of animals and humans to particulate matter (PM) or ozone air pollution cause an increase in plasma levels of endothelin-1, a potent vasoconstrictor that regulates pulmonary arterial pressure. The primary objective of this field study was to determine whether Mexico City children, who are chronically exposed to levels of PM and...

We examined the effect of experimental malnutrition and diet supplementation of parameters of central nervous system damage. Wistar rats were fed during 30 days and classified as malnourished (MN, 7% protein content diet) or well-nourished (WN, 23% protein content diet), were grouped and treated as follows: I-control; II-SNP (20 microg/kg); IIl-Ive...

Exposures to particulate matter and gaseous air pollutants have been associated with respiratory tract inflammation, disruption of the nasal respiratory and olfactory barriers, systemic inflammation, production of mediators of inflammation capable of reaching the brain and systemic circulation of particulate matter. Mexico City (MC) residents are e...

En este estudio se evaluó la capacidad del pirofosfato de tiamina (PPT) o vitamina B1 activada, para prevenir el daño que provoca el estrés por inmovilización forzada sobre las neuronas del hipocampo de ratas. Se trabajó con ratas macho de 21 días de edad, que fueron asignadas a cuatro grupos con diez ratas cada uno: Grupo testigo (T), Grupo estrés...

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of nutritional condition and simulated exposure to ozone on Glutathione (GSH), the activity of Na+/K+ ATPase and lipid peroxidation in rat brain. Male Wistar rats were fed with 7% and 23% protein diets. Two groups were formed for each nutritional condition: one group was exposed for 15 successive days...