Prostaglandin E-2 inhibits Paracoccidioides brasiliensis killing by human monocytes

Human monocytes lacked fungicidal activity against high virulence strain of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, even after IFN-gamma activation. However, monocytes treated with indomethacin exhibited an effective killing against this fungus, suggesting a role of prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) in the inhibition process. Thus, the purpose of this work was to determine whether the effect of PGE2 in fungicidal activity was related with decrease on H2O2 release, the metabolite involved in P. brasiliensis killing, and changes in the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10. Human monocytes challenged with the fungus produced high PGE(2) levels, which in turn inhibited the fungicidal activity of these cells by reducing H2O2 and TNF-alpha production. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of prostaglandin E2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in canine cutaneous mast cell tumours

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

Downregulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway by silibinin in human monocytes challenged with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

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

Effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of Alchornea triplinervia on healing gastric ulcer in rats

Alchornea triplinervia (Spreng.) Muell. Arg (Euphorbiaceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used by people living in the Cerrado region of Brazil to treat gastrointestinal ulcers. We previously described the gastroprotective action of methanolic extract (ME) of Alchornea triplinervia and the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) in increasing of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) gastric levels in the mucosa. In this work we evaluated the effect of EAF in promoting the healing process in rats with acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. In addition, toxicity was investigated during treatment with EAF. After 14 days of treatment with EAF, the potent stimulator of gastric cell proliferation contributed to the acceleration of gastric ulcer healing. Upon immunohistochemical analysis, we observed a pronounced expression of COX-2, mainly in the submucosal layer. The 14-day EAF treatment also significantly increased the number of neutrophils in the gastric mucosa regeneration area. The EAF induced angiogenesis on gastric mucosa, observed as an increase of the number of blood vessels supplying the stomach in rats treated with EAF. Oral administration for 14 days of the ethyl acetate fraction from Alchornea triplinervia accelerated the healing of gastric ulcers in rats by promoting epithelial cell proliferation, increasing the number of neutrophils and stimulation of mucus production. This fraction, which contained mainly phenolic compounds, contributed to gastric mucosa healing. © 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Antibacterial activity of gels with pomegranate, apricot and green tea glycolic extracts

Pomegranate (PGE) and green tea (GTGE) glycolic extracts are being employed in formulations because of their antiseptic and astringent effects. Apricot (AGE) glycolic extract possesses function cooling and antibacterial. The aim was to verify the antibacterial activity of these extracts incorporated in gel base. The antibacterial activity was verified by diffusion in agar method, using cylinder in plate. Plates containing Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538p), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia coli (ATCC 10536) and Salmonella sp. (ATCC 19196) were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. After incubation, the results were analysed with a pachymeter, observing the bacterial growth inhibition halo diameter and the statistical significance level was determined. PGE presented activity only against P. aeruginosa; GTGE presented activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli; and AGE presented activity against P. aeruginosa and Salmonella sp. According to the experimental conditions, it is possible to conclude that GTGE presented the greater growth inhibition halo diameter when compared with other extracts, suggesting higher antibacterial action of this extract.

Gastroprotective mechanisms of the chloroform and ethyl acetate phases of Praxelis clematidea (Griseb.) R.M.King & H.Robinson (Asteraceae)

Flavonoid-rich Praxelis clematidea (Griseb.) R.M.King & H.Robinson (Asteraceae) is a native plant of South America. This study evaluates the gastroprotective activity and possible mechanisms for both the chloroform (CHCl3P) and ethyl acetate phases (AcOEtP) obtained from aerial parts of the plant. The activity was investigated using acute models of gastric ulcer. Gastric secretion biochemical parameters were determined after pylorus ligature. The participation of cytoprotective factors such as mucus, nitric oxide (NO), sulfhydryl (SH) groups, prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), reduction of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde level), and polymorphonuclear infiltration (myeloperoxidase activity), was also investigated. CHCl3P (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) and AcOEtP (62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg) showed significant gastroprotective activity, reducing the ulcerative index by 75, 83, 88 % and 66, 66, 81 % for ethanol; 67, 67, 56 % and 56, 53, 58 % for a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); and 74, 58, 59 % and 64, 65, 61 % for stress-induced gastric ulcer, respectively. CHCl3P (125 mg/kg) and AcOEtP (62.5 mg/kg) significantly reduced the ulcerative area by 78 and 83 %, respectively, for the ischemia-reperfusion model. They also did not alter the biochemical parameters of gastric secretion, the GSH level or the activities of SOD, GPx or GR. They increased the quantity of gastric mucus, not dependent on NO, yet dependent on SH groups, and maintained PGE2 levels. The P. clematidea phases demonstrated gastroprotective activity related to cytoprotective factors. © 2012 The Japanese Society of Pharmacognosy and Springer.

Gênese dos corpos de sulfeto maciço hidrotermal e platinóides associados no depósito de Fortaleza de Minas (MG)

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

The fortaleza de minas nickel, copper and platinoids deposit: ore types, tectonics and volcanological aspects

Pós-graduação em Geologia Regional - IGCE

Efeitos do curcumin na modulação da inflamação e reabsorção óssea em dois modelos de doença periodontal em roedor

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Intraocular pressure, specular microscopy, and prostaglandin E-2 concentration in dogs with mature and hypermature cataract

This study aimed to evaluate and correlate intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell density (CD), and hexagonality (HEX), and the aqueous humor prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) concentration in dogs with mature (MG, n = 8) and hypermature (HG, n = 8) cataracts. Eight laboratory beagles with no ocular abnormalities were included as a control group (CG). The IOP was measured using a digital applanation tonometer. Noncontact specular microscopy was used to evaluate CD and HEX. Samples of aqueous humor were used to determine prostaglandin E-2 concentration using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Data were compared by ANOVA and Bonferroni's multiple comparison test, and possible correlations among the PGE(2) aqueous concentration and corneal endothelium cell parameters were assessed by Person's test (P < 0.05). Average values of IOP (P = 0.45) and CD (P = 0.39) were not significantly different between MG, HM, and CG. Average values of HEX were lower, and PGE(2) concentration was increased in the MG and HG in comparison with CG (P < 0.05); however, such parameters did not change significantly between MG and HG (P > 0.05). PGE(2) values did not correlate with IOP, CD, and HEX in any group (P > 0.05). Although there were a small number of dogs studied, our results demonstrated that cataract progression from mature to hypermature did not have a significant change in PGE(2) aqueous concentration, IOP, corneal endothelial cell count, or morphology. In addition, PGE(2) concentration was not correlated with parameters of the corneal endothelium or IOP in dogs with mature or hypermature cataracts.

Curcurnin abrogates LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Evidence for novel mechanisms involving SOCS-1,-3 and p38 MAPK

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of menthol in experimentally induced ulcers: Pathways of gastroprotection

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

MicroRNA 21 is a homeostatic regulator of macrophage polarization and prevents prostaglandin E-2-mediated M2 generation

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

Small calcified lesions suggestive of neurocysticercosis are associated with mesial temporal sclerosis

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

A gestão democrática da escola pública no prêmio gestão escolar: concepções e modelos da organização escolar

Pós-graduação em Planejamento e Análise de Políticas Públicas - FCHS