Female sex hormones mediate the allergic lung reaction by regulating the release of inflammatory mediators and the expression of lung E-selectin in rats

Background: Fluctuations of estradiol and progesterone levels caused by the menstrual cycle worsen asthma symptoms. Conflicting data are reported in literature regarding pro and anti-inflammatory properties of estradiol and progesterone.Methods: Female Wistar rats were ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized 1 day after resection of the ovaries (OVx). Control group consisted of sensitized-rats with intact ovaries (Sham-OVx). Allergic challenge was performed by aerosol (OVA 1%, 15 min) two weeks later. Twenty four hours after challenge, BAL, bone marrow and total blood cells were counted. Lung tissues were used as explants, for expontaneous cytokine secretion in vitro or for immunostaining of E-selectin.Results: We observed an exacerbated cell recruitment into the lungs of OVx rats, reduced blood leukocytes counting and increased the number of bone marrow cells. Estradiol-treated OVx allergic rats reduced, and those treated with progesterone increased, respectively, the number of cells in the BAL and bone marrow. Lungs of OVx allergic rats significantly increased the E-selectin expression, an effect prevented by estradiol but not by progesterone treatment. Systemically, estradiol treatment increased the number of peripheral blood leukocytes in OVx allergic rats when compared to non treated-OVx allergic rats. Cultured-BAL cells of OVx allergic rats released elevated amounts of LTB4 and nitrites while bone marrow cells increased the release of TNF-α and nitrites. Estradiol treatment of OVx allergic rats was associated with a decreased release of TNF-α, IL-10, LTB4 and nitrites by bone marrow cells incubates. In contrast, estradiol caused an increase in IL-10 and NO release by cultured-BAL cells. Progesterone significantly increased TNF- α by cultured BAL cells and bone marrow cells.Conclusions: Data presented here suggest that upon hormonal oscillations the immune sensitization might trigger an allergic lung inflammation whose phenotype is under control of estradiol. Our data could contribute to the understanding of the protective role of estradiol in some cases of asthma symptoms in fertile ans post-menopausal women clinically observed. © 2010 de Oliveira et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Morphological and molecular analysis of the collagen fibers in inflammatory process

Collagen makes up one third of the total protein in humans, being formed by the connection of three polypeptide chains arranged in a triple helix. This protein has fundamental importance in the formation of extracellular matrix of connective tissue. This study aimed to analyze the structural changes of collagen, which are resulting from inflammatory processes in oral mucosa, and to make the comparative analysis between the histopathology and the Raman spectra. The samples of tissues with inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia (IFH) and normal mucosa (NM) were evaluated by Raman Spectroscopy, hematoxylin-eosin and Massons trichrome stain. The histological analysis in both stains showed differences in collagen fibers, which was presented as thin fibers and arranged in parallel direction in NM and as collagen fibers are thick, mature and not organized, showing that these types of stain show morphological changes of collagen in IFH. The Raman Spectroscopy discriminate the groups of NM and IFH based on vibrational modes of proline, hydroxiproline and CH3, CH2. The histological stains only shows information from morphological data, and can be complemented by Raman spectra. This technique could demonstrate that inflammatory process caused some changes in collagen structure which is related to aminoacids such as proline and hidroxyproline. © 2011 SPIE-OSA.

Fractal dimension and Shannon's entropy analyses of the architectural complexity caused by the inflammatory reactions induced by highly crystalline polyvinyl alcohol) microspheres implanted in subcutaneous tissues of the Wistar rats

The results of the histopathological analyses after the implantation of highly crystalline PVA microspheres in subcutaneous tissues of Wistar rats are here in reported. Three different groups of PVA microparticles were systematically studied: highly crystalline, amorphous, and commercial ones. In addition to these experiments, complementary analyses of architectural complexity were performed using fractal dimension (FD), and Shannon's entropy (SE) concepts. The highly crystalline microspheres induced inflammatory reactions similar to the ones observed for the commercial ones, while the inflammatory reactions caused by the amorphous ones were less intense. Statistical analyses of the subcutaneous tissues of Wistar rats implanted with the highly crystalline microspheres resulted in FD and SE values significantly higher than the statistical parameters observed for the amorphous ones. The FD and SE parameters obtained for the subcutaneous tissues of Wistar rats implanted with crystalline and commercial microparticles were statistically similar. Briefly, the results indicated that the new highly crystalline microspheres had biocompatible behavior comparable to the commercial ones. In addition, statistical tools such as FD and SE analyses when combined with histopathological analyses can be useful tools to investigate the architectural complexity tissues caused by complex inflammatory reactions. © 2012 WILEY PERIODICALS, INC.

Hypusine Modification of the Ribosome-binding Protein eIF5A, a Target for New Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Understanding the Action of the Inhibitor GC7 on a Murine Macrophage Cell Line

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

Potent Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pyrenocine A Isolated from the Marine-Derived Fungus Penicillium paxilli Ma(G) K

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Testosterone Therapy Differently Regulates the Anti- and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in the Plasma and Prostate of Rats Submitted to Chronic Ethanol Consumption (UChB)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effect of the concentration of phenothiazine photosensitizers in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on bone loss and the immune inflammatory response of induced periodontitis in rats

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

Genetic variability of inflammatory genes in the brazilian population

Inflammatory gene variants have been associated with several diseases, including cancer, diabetes, vascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, arthritis, and others. Therefore, determining the population genetic composition of inflammation-related genes can be useful for the determination of general risk, prognostic and therapeutic strategies to prevent or cure specific diseases. We have aimed to identify polymorphism genotype frequencies in genes related to the inflammatory response in the Brazilian population, namely, IjBL - 62AT, IjBL - 262CT, tumor necrosis factors alpha (TNFa) - 238GA, TNFa - 308GA, lymphotoxin-alpha (LTa) + 80AC, LTa + 252AG, FAS - 670AG, and FASL - 844TC, considering the white, black, and Pardo ethnicities of the Sa˜o Paulo State. Our results suggest that the Brazilian population is under a miscegenation process at the current time, since some genotypes are not in the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. In addition, we conclude that the Pardo ethnicity is derived from a complex mixture of ethnicities, including the native Indian population.

In vivo evaluation of the inflammatory response and IL-6 immunoexpression promoted by Biodentine and MTA Angelus

Aim To evaluate the inflammatory process induced by Biodentine and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in rat subcutaneous tissues. Methodology A polyethylene tube filled with Biodentine (n = 20) or MTA (n = 20) was placed into the dorsal subcutaneous of forty male rats; in the control group (CG; n = 20), empty tubes were implanted. After 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, the polyethylene tubes surrounded by connective tissue were fixed and embedded in paraffin. The number of inflammatory cells was estimated in HE-stained sections; numerical density of interleukin-6 (IL-6)-immunolabelled cells was also performed. The differences amongst the groups were analysed statistically by Tukey's test (P ≤ 0.05). Results A high number of inflammatory cells and IL-6-positive cells were observed at 7 days, in all groups; however, in the Biodentine group, the number of inflammatory cells and IL-6-immunolabelled cells was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in comparison with the other groups at 7 and 15 days. In the capsules of animals from all groups, a gradual and significant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) of these parameters was seen over time. At 60 days, the capsules exhibited numerous fibroblasts and bundles of collagen fibres; in addition, the number of IL-6-positive cells was not significantly different amongst Biodentine, MTA and control groups. Conclusions There was a significant regression in the inflammatory reaction in the capsules indicating, therefore, that Biodentine is a biocompatible material.

First insight on the impact of an osteoblastic layer on the bio-tribocorrosion performance of Ti6Al4V hip implants

In uncemented Ti6Al4V hip implants, the bone-stem interface is subjected to cyclic loading motion driven by the daily activities of the patients, which may lead to the complete failure of the implant in the long term. It may also compromise the proliferation and differentiation processes of osteoblastic cells (bone-forming cells). The main objective of this work is to approach for the first time the role of these organic materials on the bio-tribocorrosion mechanisms of cultured Ti6Al4V alloys. The colonized materials with MG63 osteoblastic-like cells were characterized through cell viability/proliferation and enzymatic activity. Tribocorrosion tests were performed under a reciprocating sliding configuration and low contact pressure. Electrochemical techniques were used to measure the corrosion kinetics of the system, under free potential conditions. All tests were performed at a controlled atmosphere. The morphology and topography of the wear scar were evaluated. The results showed that the presence of an osteoblastic cell layer on the implant surface significantly influences the tribocorrosion behavior of Ti6Al4V alloy. It was concluded that the cellular material was able to form an extra protective layer that inhibits further wear degradation of the alloy and decreases its corrosion tendency.

Oral syphilis: report of three cases and characterization of the inflammatory cells

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum. This study reports 3 cases of syphilis and highlights the importance of identifying oral lesions for its final diagnosis. Case 1: a 48-year-old male patient presented with a bleeding ulcer in the lower lip. Overall clinical examination revealed patchy alopecia and skin target lesions. Case 2: a 61-year-old male patient presented with white spots on the lateral tongue and nodules on the dorsum of the tongue. Overall clinical examination showed erythematous target lesions on the abdomen, forearm, palms of the hand, and soles of the feet. Case 3: a 17-year-old male patient presented with an ulcerated lesion on the tongue and lymph node involvement. The following serologic tests were requested: Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption, anti-HIV-1 and anti-HIV-2, and anti-hepatitis C virus. An incisional biopsy revealed epithelial hyperplasia associated with intense and diffuse mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration consisting mainly of plasma cells, in a perivascular and perineural distribution. The final diagnosis in the 3 patients was syphilis. Treatment consisted of 1 weekly dose of penicillin (2.4 million units, intramuscular) for 2 or 3 weeks. Immunohistochemical reactions for XIIIa, CD3, CD20, CD68, CD163, S100, CD1a, CD11c, CD83, CD138, and CD208 were performed. Clinicians should be familiarized with oral syphilis lesions in order to be able to diagnose this emerging infectious disease of variable clinical presentation.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of derivatives from aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella

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

The improvement of the anti-hyperalgesic effect of ketamine and of its isomers by the administration of ifenprodil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Histopathological analysis of the reproductive system of male dogs experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo descrever eventuais alterações histopatológicas no sistema reprodutor (testículo e epidídimo) de cães machos experimentalmente infectados com Toxoplasma gondii. Para tal, 10 animais sorologicamente negativos para T. gondii foram selecionados e distribuídos em três grupos experimentais: GI - três cães inoculados com 2,0 x 10(5) oocistos da cepa P, GII - três cães infectados com 1,0 x 10(6) taquizoítos da cepa RH e GIII - quatro cães mantidos como controle. Pesquisa de anticorpos (IFI) contra T. gondii foi realizada. A infecção por T. gondii confirmou-se pela soroconversão de todos os machos infectados a partir do 7° e do 14° dia pós-inoculação (DPI) para cães que receberam taquizoítos e oocistos respectivamente. Decorridos 70DPI, realizou-se, em todos os cães, orquiectomia, e amostras (testículo e epidídimo) foram coletadas e processadas histologicamente para leitura em microscópio óptico. As seguintes alterações foram diagnosticadas: infiltrado inflamatório mononuclear leve e moderado em epidídimo, edema celular moderado, degeneração hidrópica e fibrose intersticial moderada em túbulos seminíferos. Os resultados histopatológicos do presente trabalho, aliados ao isolamento do T. gondii em fragmentos de testículo e epidídimo pela imunoistoquímica, juntamente com os resultados encontrados na literatura por outros autores em diferentes tecidos, permitem inferir que as alterações encontradas nos cães infectados com o respectivo protozoário são sugestivas de infecção toxoplásmica.

Guinea Pigs Develop Cutaneous Basophilia after Repeated Infestations by Nymphs of the Tick Amblyomma triste

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