Bruna Souza - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Bruna Souza

Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2011

Cannabidiol (CBD), a Cannabis sativa constituent, may present a pharmacological profile similar t... more Cannabidiol (CBD), a Cannabis sativa constituent, may present a pharmacological profile similar to mood stabilizing drugs, in addition to anti-oxidative and neuroprotective properties. The present study aims to directly investigate the effects of CBD in an animal model of mania induced by D-amphetamine (D-AMPH). In the first model (reversal treatment), rats received saline or D-AMPH (2 mg/kg) once daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) for 14 days, and from the 8th to the 14th day, they were treated with saline or CBD (15, 30 or 60 mg/kg) i.p. twice a day. In the second model (prevention treatment), rats were pretreated with saline or CBD (15, 30, or 60 mg/kg) regime i.p. twice a day, and from the 8th to the 14th day, they also received saline or D-AMPH i.p. once daily. In the hippocampus CBD (15 mg/kg) reversed the D-AMPH-induced damage and increased (30 mg/kg) brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. In the second experiment, CBD (30 or 60 mg/kg) prevented the D-AMPH-induced formation of carbonyl group in the prefrontal cortex. In the hippocampus and striatum the D-AMPH-induced damage was prevented by CBD (15, 30 or 60 mg/kg). At both treatments CBD did not present any effect against D-AMPH-induced hyperactivity. In conclusion, we could not observe effects on locomotion, but CBD protect against D-AMPH-induced oxidative protein damage and increased BDNF levels in the reversal model and these effects vary depending on the brain regions evaluated and doses of CBD administered.

Journal of Neuroimmunology, 2009

We here evaluated the central dopaminergic response in sepsis survivor rats using the administrat... more We here evaluated the central dopaminergic response in sepsis survivor rats using the administration of D-amphetamine. Male Wistar rats underwent cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) or were sham-operated. After 10 days of recovery, rats received an intraperitoneal injection of D-amphetamine 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg or saline, and were subjected to the open field test. We did not observe alterations in locomotor and exploratory activities in CLP compared to sham group. Treatment with amphetamine 0.5 mg/kg did not have effect in sham and CLP groups; D-amphetamine 1 mg/kg increased locomotor and exploratory activities only in sham group, and D-amphetamine 2 mg/kg increased in both sham and CLP groups. We suggest that, in part, dopamine pathway may be altered in sepsis.

Inflammation Research, 2010

Objective We report the effects of the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor antagonist RC-309... more Objective We report the effects of the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor antagonist RC-3095 in an acute inflammation model induced by carrageenan. Methods Male Wistar rats received saline or saline containing 2% λ-carrageenan into the pleural cavity, with some also receiving RC-3095 3 mg/kg subcutaneously, immediately after surgery. Four hours later, the rats were killed and pleural exudate was obtained for evaluation of total cell count, lactate dehydrogenase activity, total protein, cytokines analysis and nitrite/nitrate concentrations; myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and oxidative stress were evaluated in the lung. Results RC-3095 exhibited pronounced anti-inflammatory actions by inhibition of leukocyte influx and blockade of MPO, nitrite/nitrate and cytokine levels. Moreover, the results showed that RC-3095 elicits action against oxidative damage in lipids and proteins, as well as increasing cell viability. Conclusion The present findings suggest that GRP plays a role in acute inflammation that can be related with the reduction of oxidative damage and that it could be effective in therapeutic applications.

International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 2010

Journal of Surgical Research, 2010

Background. The mechanisms of brain damage and neuroplasticity following traumatic brain injury (... more Background. The mechanisms of brain damage and neuroplasticity following traumatic brain injury (TBI) are complex and not completely understood. Thus, we investigated markers of oxidative stress in the central nervous system after mild and severe TBI in rats.

Neurochemistry International, 2009

Journal of Critical Care

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity of young people worl... more Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity of young people worldwide . Oxidative stress has been implicated with the excitotoxic brain injury including TBI , but the association between plasma markers of oxidative stress and the severe TBI patients' prognosis remains controversial . We have demonstrated recently that the plasma enhancement of thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS, an index of lipid peroxidation) and carbonyl groups (an index of oxidative o proteins) observed up to 3 days after severe TBI are not independently associated with hospital mortality of patients .