Le(a-b-) phenotype: potential risk factor for infection by the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnancy

The Lewis histo-blood group system is characterized by the expression of the Lea and Le(b) antigens in the gastrointestinal tract, whose synthesis results in interactions between alpha 2-L-fucosyltransferase (FUTII) and alpha 3/4-L-fucosyltransferase (FUTIII) enzymes coded by the FUT2 (19q. 13.3) and FUT3 (19p13.3) genes. FUTII and FUTIII fucosylate the type 1 oligosaccharide precursor (Gal beta 1 -> 3NAcGlc beta 1 -> 3-R) at distinct positions to form H type 1 (Fuc alpha 1. 2Gal beta 1. 3NAcGlc beta 1 -> 3-R) and Le(a) (Gal beta 1 -> 3[Fuc alpha 1 -> 4] NAcGlc beta 1 -> 3-R) antigens, respectively. The fucosylation of H type 1 antigens by FUTIII results in the Leb antigen (Fuc alpha 1. 2Gal beta 1. 3[Fuca1. 4] NAcGlc beta 1. 3-R). Thus, the presence of the FUTII and FUTIII enzymes leads to the expression of the Le(a+b+) phenotype, while the presence of only FUTIII allows the expression of the Le(a+b-) phenotype. The absence of the FUTIII enzyme leads to the expression of the Le(a-b-) phenotype, independent of the presence or absence of FUTII. Point mutations in FUT2 and FUT3 genes change the activity of these enzymes, impair the synthesis of Le(a) and Le(b) antigens, and contribute to the variability of Lewis phenotypes in the gastrointestinal tract. Toxoplasma gondii, an apicomplexan parasite that infects a large proportion of the world's population, utilizes the gastrointestinal tract as an infection route and seems to adhere to glycosylated molecules to invade human cells. These apparently independent events may be related. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that there is an association between the Lewis histo-blood group system and infection by T. gondii. Two hundred and nine serum samples collected from pregnant women were submitted to screening tests to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies, employing the indirect hemagglutination method. ELISA was utilized to identify IgG class anti-T. gondii antibodies specific for the RH strain. A hundred and ninety-five samples with concordant results for both methods were selected to form two groups: seropositive (G1) and seronegative (G2). The G428A mutation of the FUT2 gene, and T202C and C314T of the FUT3 gene, which allow inference of the gastrointestinal tract Lewis phenotypes, were identified using PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSP methods, respectively. Among the 195 samples selected, 116 (59.5%) were seropositive and 79 (40.5%) were seronegative. In G1, 68 (58.6%) were classified as Le(a+b+), 30 (25.9%) as Le(a+b-), and 18 (15.5%) as Le(a-b-), and in G2, 67 (84.8%) were classified as Le(a+b+), 12 (15.2%) as Le(a+b-), and 0 (0%) as Le(a-b-) (P < 0.0001). The Le(a-b-) phenotype is associated with a high risk of RH strain T. gondii infection when compared with the Le(a+b+) [P = 0.0001; OR = 36,460; 95%CI = 2.152-617,680] and Le(a+b-) phenotypes [P = 0.0118; OR = 15,165; 95%CI = 0.8463-271,710]. The Le(a+b-) phenotype showed a higher risk compared to the Le(a+b+) phenotype [P = 0.0206; OR = 2463; 95%CI = 2463-5214]. The results suggest that the Le(a-b-) phenotype is strongly associated with a greater risk of infection by the RH strain of T. gondii compared to the other phenotypes. It is possible that the absence of fucosylation of the type 1 oligosaccharide precursor as well as the variations in the structures of the Le(a) and Le(b) antigens influence susceptibility to infection by this parasite.

Doppler ultrasound in pregnancy assessment in bitches - literature review

Doppler ultrasound enables the assessment of blood flow in real time and has been widely used to aid in pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring in dogs and cats. This technique has a diferencial when compared with the B-mode ultrasound, as it allows the evaluation of vascular hemodynamic characteristics, while the two-dimensional ultrasound allows the diagnosis of pregnancy and fetal viability. Thus, the objective of this review is to describe how circulation is characterized in the uterine and fetal arteries in bitches during pregnancy using Doppler ultrasonography.

Medicinal plants in pregnancy and lactation: perception of the health risk and practical educational group in Araraquara, São Paulo State, Brazil

The use of medicinal plants among pregnant women and lactating is a common practice in diverse countries. However, many medicinal plants are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactating, due to various adverse effects, such as teratogenic, embryotoxic and abortive effects, exposing these women, their fetus and babies to health unknown risks. Thus, the purpose of this commentary, was to analyze the perception about the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women and lactating registered in the "baby on board" NGO, Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil, between 2010 at 2013. The group was constituted by 48 women, between the first and last trimester of pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. Information was collected during group meetings by oral interview, using a questionnaire, as script. The nature of the study was a qualitative analysis. The results were based on reports about the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women during group meetings: use, indication of use, knowledge about risks. All participants received written and oral information about the study and they gave a written informed consent. The use of medicinal plants is a reality among pregnant and lactating women of the "baby on board" NGO. They reported that they feel that "natural" products are not harmful for their health. The primary information sources for the majority of women about medicinal plants during pregnancy are family, neighbors and herbalists. The plants most cited (in popular name in Brazil) were: senna, chamomile, boldo, lemon balm, lemon grass. They were used mainly for: nausea, heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, intestinal and abdominal pain, anxiety, intestinal constipation and low milk production. The pregnant and lactating women lacked knowledge about the health risks of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines in pregnancy and lactation. They also reported difficulties in clarifying some questions about the use of medicinal plants with their doctors. The results of the present study showed that educative actions about the rational use of medicinal plants in pregnancy and breastfeeding could be part of the operating protocols to promote the maternal and child health programs in Araraquara. Thus, our results also suggest the importance of creating institutionalized places, to the implementation of continued education programs about rational use of medicinal plants in pregnancy and lactation. These targeted programs are not only for health professionals, but also for community members, pregnant women and breastfeeding. Our results pointed out the importance of guidance of doctors and healthcare professionals on the scientific studies about medicinal plants and herbal medicines and the risk/benefit of using herbs during pregnancy. Finally, it is noted the importance of the health professionals to inform women of childbearing on risks to their health, as well as on possibilities of utilization of herbs during fertile period, giving special attention to the potential risk of self-medication.

Análises moleculares em gestantes com diabete e hiperglicemia leve e em seus recém-nascidos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influência do meio hiperglicêmico intrauterino em diferentes fases de vida dos descendentes de ratas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Exercício físico no diabete transgeracional de ratas: efeito na performance reprodutiva e nos hormônios sexuais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Relação entre proteínas de choque térmico, reprodução materna e desenvolvimento fetal em diferentes modelos de diabete

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Qualidade de vida, ansiedade e depressão em gestantes diabéticas ou co hiperglicemia leve

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB

Atividade funcional de fagócitos do leite de mães hiperglicêmicas leve e diabéticas e sua regulação neuroimunoendocrinológica: interações com lgA e melatonina

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

Tratamento ambulatorial e hospitalar na monitorização glicêmica de gestantes diabéticas em uso de insulina

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB

Expressão e imunidade das Heat Shock Proteins (HSP) em gestantes portadoras de diabete e hiperglicemia gestacional leve

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB

Imunologia das interações materno-fetais no diabete e na hiperglicemia gestacional leve

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

Intervenção com Azadirachta indica (Neem) na prenhez de ratas diabéticas: repercussões materno-fetais

Objetivo: Considerando o uso indiscriminado de diversas plantas para o tratamento de doenças, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os efeitos da Azadirachta indica (Neem) sobre a glicemia e performance reprodutiva materna de ratas normoglicêmicas e com diabete moderado. Material e Método: O diabete foi induzido em ratas fêmeas no dia do nascimento com streptozotocin (100mg/kg de peso corpóreo, via subcutânea). O grupo não-diabético (controle) recebeu como veículo o tampão citrato com dose e via similares ao grupo diabético. Na fase adulta, ratas não-diabéticas e diabéticas foram acasaladas com machos normoglicêmicos. Durante todo o período de prenhez, as ratas foram tratadas com o princípio ativo (Azadirachtina) ou óleo da semente de Azadirachta indica (Neem). As glicemias foram mensuradas nos dias 0, 7, 14 e 20 de prenhez e o teste oral de tolerância à glicose no 17º dia. Ao final da prenhez, foi realizada laparotomia para contagem de fetos vivos e mortos, corpos lúteos, implantações e de reabsorções (mortes embrionárias). Os descendentes foram analisados quanto à presença de anomalias externas e internas (esqueléticas e viscerais). Para limite de significância estatística foi considerado p<0,05. Resultados: Os tratamentos com o óleo e princípio ativo causaram maior intolerância à glicose em ratas diabéticas, prejuízos no desempenho reprodutivo materno e anormalidades esqueléticas e viscerais fetais. Conclusão: Os diferentes tratamentos não apresentaram efeito antidiabético e causaram efeitos adversos no desempenho reprodutivo materno e no desenvolvimento dos fetos. Sendo assim, este estudo mostrou que o uso indiscriminado de plantas medicinais, principalmente por mulheres grávidas, pode ser prejudicial para o desenvolvimento intrauterino

Estudo da motilidade gástrica em ratas prunhes diabéticas

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB