Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and oxidative burst inhibition by the naphthoquinone 5-methoxy-3,4-dehydroxanthomegnin from Paepalanthus latipes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Inhibition of Neurotoxic Secretory Phospholipases A(2) Enzymatic, Edematogenic, and Myotoxic Activities by Harpalycin 2, an Isoflavone Isolated from Harpalyce brasiliana Benth

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Astrocytic and microglial response and histopathological changes in the brain of horses with experimental chronic Trypanosoma evansi infection

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Proteinograma e teores de cobre, ferro e zinco no soro sanguíneo de ovelhas da raça Santa Inês com mastite experimental por Staphylococcus aureus

Costa N.A., Simao L.C.V., Santos R.A., Afonso J.A.B., Fagliari J.J., Cardoso E.C., Soares P.C. & Mendonca C.L. 2010. [Proteinogram and serum concentrations of copper, iron and zinc in Santa Ines ewes with Staphylococcus aureus experimentally induced mastitis.] Proteinograma e teores de cobre, ferro e zinco no soro sanguineo de ovelhas da raca Santa Ines com mastite experimental por Staphylococcus aureus. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 30(5):435-442. Clinica de Bovinos, Campus Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Avenida Bom Pastor s/n, Boa Vista, Caixa Postal 152, Garanhuns, PE 55292-901, Brazil. E-mail: carlalopes.mendonca@gmail.comThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Staphylococcus aureus experimentally induced mastitis on proteinogram and serum concentrations of cupper, iron and zinc levels of Santa Ines primiparous ewes. The right mammary gland of ten healthy ewes was inoculated with 1,0x10(4) UFC/mL of S. aureus. Clinical examination and determination of serum concentrations of proteins by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE), cupper, iron and zinc, as well plasma level of fibrinogen were measured before the inoculation (control) and 12h, 24h, 36h, 48h, 60h, 72h, 84h, 96h, 108h, 120h, 132h, 168h, 180h, 288h and 336h after bacteria inoculation. All animals experimentally infected presented clinical mastitis and subsequent loss of mammary gland function. The electrophoretogram allowed the identification of 23 proteins with molecular weights (MW) ranged from 26.000 to 185.000 daltons (Da) including acute-phase proteins, IgG and IgA. A significant increase (P<0,05) in haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, IgG and IgA concentrations was observed. Antitrypsin and acid glicoprotein concentrations did not alter. The levels of iron and zinc decreased and the cupper concentration increased. A positive correlation between plasma fibrinogen and serum ceruloplasmin (r=0.74), haptoglobin (r=0.62) and IgA (r=0.62) was also identified. Results showed the importance of ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin as acute-phase proteins in ewes with intramammary infections and confirms fibrinogen as an inflammatory marker because its high correlation with specific proteins. The alterations in the serum levels of Cu, Fe and Zn suggest the action of inflammatory mediators triggered by S. aureus.

Nucleus isthmi and control of breathing in amphibians

Despite recent advances, the mechanisms of neurorespiratory control in amphibians are far from understood. One of the brainstem structures believed to play a key role in the ventilatory control of anuran amphibians is the nucleus isthmi (NI). This nucleus is a mesencephalic structure located between the roof of the midbrain and the cerebellum, which differentiates during metamorphosis; the period when pulmonary ventilation develops in bullfrogs. It has been recently suggested that the NI acts to inhibit hypoxic and hypercarbic drives in breathing by restricting increases in tidal volume. This data is similar to the influence of two pontine structures of mammals, the locus coeruleus and the nucleus raphe magnus. The putative mediators for this response are glutamate and nitric oxide. Microinjection of kynurenic acid (an ionotropic receptor antagonist of excitatory amino acids) and L-NAME (a non-selective NO synthase inhibitor) elicited increases in the ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercarbia. This article reviews the available data on the role of the NI in the control of ventilation in amphibians. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Response of macrophage Toll-like receptor 4 to a Sporothrix schenckii lipid extract during experimental sporotrichosis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Prostaglandin E-2 and the Suppression of Phagocyte Innate Immune Responses in Different Organs

The local and systemic production of prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) and its actions in phagocytes lead to immunosuppressive conditions. PGE2 is produced at high levels during inflammation, and its suppressive effects are caused by the ligation of the E prostanoid receptors EP2 and EP4, which results in the production of cyclic AMP. However, PGE(2) also exhibits immunostimulatory properties due to binding to EP3, which results in decreased cAMP levels. The various guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) that are coupled to the different EP receptors account for the pleiotropic roles of PGE(2) in different disease states. Here, we discuss the production of PGE(2) and the actions of this prostanoid in phagocytes from different tissues, the relative contribution of PGE(2) to the modulation of innate immune responses, and the novel therapeutic opportunities that can be used to control inflammatory responses.

Leukotrienes are not essential for the efficacy of a heterologous vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Serotonin as a physiological substrate for myeloperoxidase and its superoxide-dependent oxidation to cytotoxic tryptamine-4,5-dione

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Dor: aspectos atuais da sensibilização periférica e central

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As pesquisas recentes têm focalizado a plasticidade bioquímica e estrutural do sistema nervoso decorrente da lesão tissular. Os mecanismos envolvidos na transição da dor aguda para crônica são complexos e envolvem a interação de sistemas receptores e o fluxo de íons intracelulares, sistemas de segundo mensageiro e novas conexões sinápticas. O objetivo deste artigo foi discutir os novos mecanismos que envolvem a sensibilização periférica e central. CONTEÚDO: A lesão tissular provoca aumento na resposta dos nociceptores, chamada de sensibilização ou facilitação. Esses fenômenos iniciam-se após a liberação local de mediadores inflamatórios e a ativação de células do sistema imune ou de receptores específicos no sistema nervoso periférico e central. CONCLUSÕES: As lesões do tecido e dos neurônios resultam em sensibilização de nociceptores e facilitação da condução nervosa central e periférica.

Spontaneous Periodontitis Development in Diabetic Rats Involves an Unrestricted Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines and Tissue Destructive Factors in the Absence of Major Changes in Commensal Oral Microbiota

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Systemic response induced by Scorpaena plumieri fish venom initiates acute lung injury in mice

Scorpaena plumieri venomous fish inflicted severe injuries in humans characterized by systemic effects and cardiovascular abnormalities. Although cardiotoxic and hypotensive effects induced in rats by this venom have been studied, little is known about their effect on bronchial epithelial permeability and airway inflammation in mice. The primary goal of this study was to determine whether the intraplantar or intraperitoneal injection of S. plumieri venom results in systemic response, and whether this event initiates acute lung injure. We found that BALB/c mice developed neutrophilic infiltrates, areas of lung hemorrhage and alveolar macrophage activation within 24 h after injection with S. plumieri venom. These histopathological changes were associated with an early increase in BAL fluid protein and early induction of cytokines, chemokines and matrix metaloproteinases, followed by a later increase in BAL fluid neutrophils. These findings provide clear evidence that the injection of S. plumieri venom in footpad or peritoneal cavity of mice results in venom deposition in the airway and initiates a sustained inflammatory response in the lungs. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, the most prevalent deep mycosis in Latin America. Production of eicosanoids, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes, during fungal infections is theorized to play a critical role on fungal survival and/or growth as well as on host immune response modulation. Host cells are one source of these mediators; however another potential source may be the fungus itself. The purpose of our study was to assess whether P. brasiliensis strains with different degree of virulence (Pb18, Pb265, PbBT79, Pb192) produce both, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)). Moreover, we asked if P. brasiliensis can use exogenous sources of arachidonic acid (AA), as well as metabolic pathways dependent on cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (5-LO) enzymes, for PGE(2) and LTB(4) production, respectively. Finally, a possible association between these eicosanoids and fungus viability was assessed. We demonstrated, using ELISA assays, that all P. brasiliensis strains, independently of their virulence, produce high PGE(2) and LTB(4) levels after a 4-hour culture, which were reduced after 8 hours. However, in both culture times, higher eicosanoids levels were detected when culture medium was supplemented with exogenous AA. Differently, treatment with indomethacin, a COX inhibitor, or MK886, a 5-LO inhibitor, induces a reduction on PGE(2) and LTB(4) levels, respectively, as well as in fungus viability. The data provide evidence that P. brasiliensis is able to metabolize either endogenous or exogenous AA by pathways that depend on COX and 5-LO enzymes for producing, respectively, PGE(2) and LTB(4) that are critical for its viability.

Evaluation of N-acetilglucosaminidase and myeloperoxidase activity in patients with endometriosis-related infertility undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Aim: Inflammation is as an important factor in ovulation with the active participation of leucocytes and their inflammatory mediators. The present study was performed to compare the activity of the inflammatory enzymes myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) in patients with endometriosis-related infertility and in normally ovulating women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).Material and Methods: This prospective study included infertile women undergoing ICSI treatment. These women were divided into two groups: endometriosis anovulation (n = 18) and normally ovulating (n = 20). NAG and MPO activity was evaluated colorimetrically in serum and in follicular fluids obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval.Results: There was a significant correlation between the serum and follicular fluid activities of NAG and MPO (tau = 0.256, P = 0.025; and tau = -0.234, P = 0.041; respectively). Both serum and follicular fluid NAG activities were higher in patients with endometriosis compared to the control group (P < 0.001). MPO follicular fluid activity was lower in patients with endometriosis compared to normally ovulating women (P = 0.016).Conclusion: Infertile patients with endometriosis show a distinct pattern of serum and follicular fluid macrophage/neutrophil activation compared to normally ovulating women undergoing ICSI, which may reflect the role of immune and inflammatory alterations in endometriosis-related infertility.

Subpopulations of mononuclear leukocytes associated with inhibition of Ehrlich ascites tumor growth by treatment with Bothrops jararaca venom

Snake venoms have been used as antineoplastic substances in several experimental models. We demonstrated in previous studies that Bothrops jararaca venom (BjV) induces inhibition of Ehrlich ascites tumor ( EAT) growth accompanied by an increase of mononuclear (MN) leukocytes in all groups inoculated with EAT and/or venom. The objective of the present study was to characterize the subpopulations of MN leukocytes involved in the inhibition of EAT growth by treatment with BjV. Swiss mice were inoculated with 1.0 x 10(3) EAT cells by the intraperitoneal route and treated with 0.4 mg/kg of BjV by the same route ( Group TV). Treatment was started 24 h after tumor cell inoculation and consisted of five intraperitoneal injections performed at 72 h intervals. After 2, 8 and 14 days, groups of animals were sacrificed and the number of B, TCD4 and TCD8 lymphocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells present in the peritoneal cavity was determined by flow cytometry. The control group consisted of animals inoculated with EAT and treated with 0.1 ml of saline under the same conditions as the experimental group ( Group T). Two additional control groups consisted of animals not inoculated with EAT and treated with saline or venom. Data were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal - Wallis nonparametric test for independent samples. on the 2nd and 8th day we observed a difference between groups T and TV ( group T > group TV) for all cell types, except natural killer cells, that only differed on the 2nd day. However, on the 14th day there was no difference in MN cells among groups. These data suggest that the inhibition of EAT is related to the toxic action of BjV on tumor cells and/or to the proteolytic effect of the venom on the mediators produced by the cells for growth modulation.