11-Oxoaerothionin isolated from the marine sponge Aplysina fistularis shows anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated macrophages

Marine sponges of the order Verongida are a rich source of biologically active bromotyrosine-derived secondary metabolites. However, none of these compounds are known to display anti-inflammatory activity. In the present investigation, we report the anti-inflammatory effects of 11-oxoaerothionin isolated from the Verongida sponge Aplysina fistularis. When RAW264.7 cells and primary macrophages were preincubated with 11-oxoaerothionin and stimulated with LPS (lipopolysaccharide), a concentration-dependent inhibition of iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) protein and NO2- (Nitrite) production were observed. The same effect was observed when proinflammatory cytokines and PGE(2) (Prostaglandin E2) production was evaluated. In summary, we demonstrated that in the presence of LPS, 11-oxoaerothionin suppresses NO2 and iNOS expression as well as inflammatory cytokines and PGE(2).

Leishmanicidal activity in vitro of Musa paradisiaca L. and Spondias mombin L. fractions

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease characterized by infection of mononuclear phagocytes by Leishmania chagasi. The primary vector is Lutzomyia longipalpis and the dog is the main domestic reservoir. The control and current treatment of dogs using synthetic drugs have not shown effectiveness in reducing the incidence of disease in man. In attempt to find new compounds with leishmanicidal action, plant secondary metabolites have been studied in search of treatments of VL. This study aimed to evaluate the leishmanicidal activity of Musa paradisiaca (banana tree) and Spondias mombin (cajazeira) chemical constituents on promastigotes and amastigotes of L. chagasi. Phytochemical analysis by column chromatography was performed on ethanol extracts of two plants and fractions were isolated. Thin layer chromatography was used to compare the fractions and for isolation the substances to be used in vitro tests. The in vitro tests on promastigotes of L chagasi used the MTT colorimetric method and the method of ELISA in situ was used against amastigotes besides the cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells. Of the eight fractions tested, Sm1 and Sm2 from S. mombin had no action against promastigotes, but had good activity against amastigotes. The fractions Mp1 e Mp4 of M. paradisiaca were very cytotoxic to RAW 264.7 cells. The best result was obtained with the fraction Sm3 from S. mombin with IC50 of 11.26 mu g/ml against promastigotes and amastigotes of 0.27 mu g/ml. The fraction Sm3 characterized as tannic acid showed the best results against both forms of Leishmania being a good candidate for evaluation in in vivo tests. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Interphase Chromosome Flow-FISH

A 2-day method using flow cytometry and FISH for interphase cells was developed to detect monosomy 7 cells in myelodysplastic syndrome patients. The method, Interphase Chromosome Flow-FISH (IC Flow-FISH), involves fixation of leukocytes from blood, membrane permeabilization, hybridization of cellular DNA with peptide nucleic acid probes with cells intact, and analysis by flow cytometry. Hundreds to thousands of monosomy 7 cells were consistently detected from 10-20 mL of blood in patients with monosomy 7. Proportions of monosomy 7 cells detected in IC Flow-FISH were compared with results from conventional cytogenetics; identification of monosomy 7 populations was verified with FACS; and patient and donor cells were mixed to test for sensitivity. IC Flow-FISH allows for detecting monosomy 7 without requiring bone marrow procurement or the necessity of metaphase spreads, and wider applications to other chromosomal abnormalities are in development. (Blood. 2012; 120(15): e54-e59)

Evaluation of microorganisms with sulfidogenic metabolic potential under anaerobic conditions

The aim of this work was to identify groups of microorganisms that are capable of degrading organic matter utilizing sulfate as an electron acceptor. The assay applied for this purpose consisted of running batch reactors and monitoring lactate consumption, sulfate reduction and sulfide production. A portion of the lactate added to the batch reactors was consumed, and the remainder was converted into acetic, propionic and butyric acid after 111 hours of operation These results indicate the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) catalyzing both complete and incomplete oxidation of organic substrates. The sulfate removal efficiency was 49.5% after 1335 hours of operation under an initial sulfate concentration of 1123 mg/L. The SRB concentrations determined by the most probable number (MPN) method were 9.0x10(7) cells/mL at the beginning of the assay and 8.0x10(5) cells/mL after 738 hours of operation.