Human Leucocytes Response to Viable, Extended Freeze-Drying or Heat-Killed Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin

We investigated the effects of viable, extended freeze-drying (EFD) or heat-killed (HK) Mycobacterium bovis bacillus CalmetteGuerin (BCG) in respiratory burst activity, gene expression of CYBB and NCF1 encoding components of the human phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADPH) oxidase, TLR2 expression, and in IL-10 and TNF-a cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Viable BCG significantly inhibited TLR2 and CYBB gene expression, as well as superoxide release by human PBMC. All BCG stimuli augmented IL-10 release, but only HK BCG or viable BCG increased TNF-a release by PBMCs. Our studies show that viable BCG can impair the NADPH oxidase system activation and the TLR2 route in human PBMCs. As well, different BCG preparations can distinctly influence cytokine production by human PBMCs.

Characteristics of WWTP sludge after drying in greenhouse for agricultural purposes

The sludge generated by sewage treatment which meets regulatory standards can be used in agriculture. With this understanding, the focus of this study is the evaluation of the agricultural characteristics and inorganic substances in excess activated sludge, which was subjected to drying in a greenhouse. The variables (factor) evaluated during the drying process were: type of sludge (digested or not digested), addition of lime to the sludge, and the physical layout and rotation of sludge in the greenhouse. The parameters monitored for this assessment were moisture, volatile solids and pH. The greenhouse cover and sides were made of translucent plastic to allow the penetration of solar radiation and prevent water from entering. A impermeable floor was used. The sludge was generated in sewage treatment plants located in the metropolitan region of Grande Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil. The solar drying of wastewater sludge in a greenhouse presented satisfactory results.

Engineering Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients by Spray Drying: Effects on Physical Properties and In Vitro Dissolution

Active pharmaceutical ingredients have very strict quality requirements; minor changes in the physical and chemical properties of pharmaceuticals can adversely affect the dissolution rate and therefore the bioavailability of a given drug. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of spray drying on the physical and in vitro dissolution properties of four different active pharmaceutical ingredients, namely carbamazepine, indomethacin, piroxicam, and nifedipine. Each drug was dispersed in a solution of ethanol and water (70:30) and subjected to single-step spray drying using similar operational conditions. A complete characterization of the spray-dried drugs was performed via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), particle size distribution analysis, solubility analysis, and an in vitro dissolution study. The results from the thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction showed that, except for carbamazepine, no chemical modifications occurred as a result of spray drying. Moreover, the particle size distribution of all the spray-dried drugs significantly decreased. In addition, SEM images showed that most of the particles had an irregular shape. There was no significant improvement in the solubility of the spray-dried drugs compared with the unprocessed compounds; however, in general, the dissolution rates of the spray-dried drugs showed a remarkable improvement over their non-spray-dried counterparts. Therefore, the results from this study demonstrate that a single spray-drying step may lead to changes in the physical properties and dissolution characteristics of drugs and thus improve their therapeutic action.

Effect of Echium oil compared with marine oils on lipid profile and inhibition of hepatic steatosis in LDLr knockout mice

Abstract Background In an effort to identify new alternatives for long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) supplementation, the effect of three sources of omega 3 fatty acids (algae, fish and Echium oils) on lipid profile and inflammation biomarkers was evaluated in LDL receptor knockout mice. Methods The animals received a high fat diet and were supplemented by gavage with an emulsion containing water (CON), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 42.89%) from algae oil (ALG), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 19.97%) plus DHA (11.51%) from fish oil (FIS), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 26.75%) plus stearidonic acid (SDA, 11.13%) from Echium oil (ECH) for 4 weeks. Results Animals supplemented with Echium oil presented lower cholesterol total and triacylglycerol concentrations than control group (CON) and lower VLDL than all of the other groups, constituting the best lipoprotein profile observed in our study. Moreover, the Echium oil attenuated the hepatic steatosis caused by the high fat diet. However, in contrast to the marine oils, Echium oil did not affect the levels of transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism, such as Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor α (PPAR α) and Liver X Receptor α (LXR α), suggesting that it exerts its beneficial effects by a mechanism other than those observed to EPA and DHA. Echium oil also reduced N-6/N-3 FA ratio in hepatic tissue, which can have been responsible for the attenuation of steatosis hepatic observed in ECH group. None of the supplemented oils reduced the inflammation biomarkers. Conclusion Our results suggest that Echium oil represents an alternative as natural ingredient to be applied in functional foods to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors.

In vitro trypanocidal evaluation of pinane derivatives from essential oils of ripe fruits from Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae)

Essential oils of ripe fruits from Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae), obtained using a pilot extractor and a Clevenger apparatus were chemically characterized. Due the high amount of (-)- α-pinene in both oils, this monoterpene was tested against the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, showing a moderate potential (IC50 63.56 µg/mL) when compared to benznidazole (IC50 43.14 µg/mL). Otherwise, (-)- α-pinene oxide did not showed anti-trypanosomal activity (IC50 > 400 µg/mL) while (-)-pinane showed an IC50 of 56.50 µg/mL. The obtained results indicated that the epoxydation of α-pinene results to the loss of the anti-parasitic activity while its hydrogenation product, contributed slightly to the increased activity.