PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF EXTRACTS FROM ANCHIETIA-SALUTARIS ON THE HISTAMINE-RELEASE INDUCED IN THE RAT AND THE GUINEA-PIG

The tea made with leaves and stems of plant Anchietia salutaris is traditionally used in Brazil to treat allergies. We examined the effects of a crude aqueous extract and of purified fractions of this plant on the histamine release induced in rat and guinea pig tissues. The crude extract (3-10 mu g/ml) inhibits the histamine release induced by compound 48/80 (0.5 mu g/ml) and antigen in rat peritoneal mast cells. The inhibition is significant after 10 s of preincubation and is completed after 3 min. The crude extract dissolved in the perfusion fluid (1-30 mu g/ml) also inhibits the histamine release induced in guinea pig heart by cardiac anaphylaxis and in hearts from pretreated animals (10-100 mg/kg i.p.). In pretreated animals, the effect manifests after 3 h, is maximum after 12 h and disappears after 48 h. The histamine release induced in isolated guinea pig heart by ionophore A23187 is inhibited by similar doses as in antigen-induced histamine release. Extraction with solvents concentrated the active principle (s) in the hexane fractions, as demonstrated by the inhibition of the histamine release induced by antigen in isolated cells from guinea pig heart dispersed with collagenase. In subfractions produced by the fractionation of the hexane fraction, the active principle(s) concentrated in the subfractions obtained by extraction with hexane and ethyl acetate, which shows the low polarity of the compound(s). The same subfractions that inhibit the histamine release induced by antigen in cells from guinea pig heart also inhibit pulmonary cells. Our result show that A. salutaris contains low-polarity compound(s) that inhibit the histamine release induced by three different mechanisms in mast cells from two animal species. These facts suggest that the active principle(s) of A, salutaris could be useful in the treatment of allergies and/or as a tool for the study of mast cell secretions.

Characterization of gallotannins from Astronium species by flow injection analysis-electrospray ionization-ion trap-tandem mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

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

Pharmacological antagonism of Anchietia salutaris extracts on the contraction induced by prostaglandin D2 and U46619 in guinea-pig lung parenchymal strips

Anchietia salutaris tea is traditionally used in Brazil to treat allergies, suggesting it contains compounds with antagonistic activity on the allergic mediators. We have evaluated extracts and semi-purified fractions of Anchietia salutaris as a source of compounds having this type of antagonism on the contraction induced in guinea-pig lung parenchymal strips and on platelet aggregation and shape change. After 10 min pre-incubation dichloromethane extracts containing 30 or 100 μg mL-1 inhibited the contraction induced by prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) in guinea-pig lung parenchymal strips with dose ratios (DR) of 0.76 ± 0.14 and 0.93 ± 0.19, respectively; the amount of inhibition depended both on the concentration and on the time of preincubation (DR after 30 min pre-incubation was 1.21 ± 0.51). The dichloromethane extract and its semi-purified fractions also inhibited the contractions induced by U46619, a more potent, stable, synthetic agonist of thromboxane A2 (TxA2) prostanoid (TP) receptors, the receptors acted upon by PGD2 to produce lung contractions. The dichloromethane extract did not inhibit the lung parenchymal contractions induced by histamine, leukotriene D4 (LTD4) or platelet-activating factor (PAF). Platelet aggregation induced by U46619, adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) or PAF was not inhibited by the dichloromethane extract. Indeed, the extract potentiated platelet aggregation induced by low concentrations of these agonists and also potentiated the shape change induced by U46619. These results imply that the dichloromethane extract of Anchietia salutaris and its semipurified fractions contain an active principle that competitively inhibits TxA2 TP receptors, the stimulation of which causes lung parenchymal contraction. The inhibition seems to be selective for this receptor subtype, because the extract fails to inhibit platelet aggregation or shape change. This provides additional support of earlier reports suggesting the occurrence of TP receptor subtypes.

Prevalence of rhinitis among Brazilian schoolchildren: ISAAC phase 3 results

Objective: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) is a standardized method that allows international and regional comparisons of asthma and allergic diseases prevalence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of rhinitis and related symptoms among 6-7 year-old children (SC) and 13-14 year-old adolescents (AD) from 20 Brazilian cities applying the ISAA C's standardized written questionnaire (WQ). Methods: ISAAC's WQ was applied to 23,422 SC and 58,144 AD living in different regions of Brazil: North (N), Northeast (NE), Middle West (MW), Southeast (SE), and South (S). Results: The prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis in the last year ranged from 10.3% to 17.4% and from 8.9% to 28.5% among SC and AD, respectively. Considering SC the highest values were observed in SE region. In NE, the prevalence in countryside centres was higher than those along the coast. Among AD, the highest values were observed in N and S regions, mainly in Pará (Belém). The evaluation of populations probably with the same genetic background has shown higher prevalence among those living in urban centres (capital) in comparison to those in the countryside. Conclusions: The prevalence of rhinitis and related symptoms were variable and predominate in Brazilian N and NE centres.

Is the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms among Brazilian children related to socioeconomic status?

Objective. To evaluate the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms among Brazilian children. Methods. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) written questionnaire was applied to 23,457 six- to seven- year-old schoolchildren (SC) and 58,144 thirteen- to fourteen-year-old adolescents (AD) from 20 Brazilian cities. SES was evaluated by infant mortality index, poverty index, and average nominal income for people older than 10 years of age. Results. Current asthma ranged from 16.5% to 31.2% among SC and from 11.8% to 30.5% among AD and severe asthma from 2.9% to 8.5% (SC) and 2.6% to 9.1% (AD). Higher values were observed in Brazilian-Northern, -Northeastern and -Southeastern centers. No significant association between SES and prevalence of asthma and related symptoms was observed. Conclusions. In Brazil, the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms is quite variable and independent of SES. Copyright © 2008 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

Caracterização de biotérios, legislação e padrões de biossegurança

The use of laboratory animals in conjunction with research on the human organism provides a basis for on understanding of several important physiological and pathological processes. Besides, the results of experimental studies enable technical and safety improvements to be made in surgical techniques used in the medical clinic. As living biological material is involved, we should guarantee its physical well-being, taking into account microbiological contamination and the genetics, nutrition and correct manipulation of the animals, in order to avoid incorrect conclusions from the experiments or unnecessarily large numbers of animals being used. In parallel with the concerns and legislation on the use of laboratory animals, there is also a growing preoccupation with the welfare and safety of those who handle the laboratory animals, since they run the risk of acquiring occupational diseases through contact with zoonotic pathogens or developing allergies. Prevention requires the application of modern technological advances in the design of the animal house and in the work routines. Unfortunately, few establishments in Brazil possess staff with adequate training and a basic infrastructure of research that includes the laboratory animal breeding centers, equivalent to those existing ones in the United States and Europe.

Daily biofilm control and oral health: Consensus on the epidemiological challenge-Latin American Advisory Panel

Our understanding of dental plaque biofilm has evolved since the nonspecific plaque hypothesis that considered plaque as a nonspecific mass of native microorganisms that, because of lack of oral hygiene, builds up in proportions great enough to overcome the host resistance threshold and affect the tooth structure and tooth supporting tissues. A great diversity of microorganisms-over 700 species-was detected in the oral cavity, and evidence shows that the investigation of specific microorganisms or associations of microorganisms as etiological agents for periodontal diseases and caries is not a simplistic approach. Although clinical evidence shows that oral mechanical hygiene is fundamental to prevent and control caries and periodontal disease, it is important to highlight that optimal control is not achieved by most individuals. Thus the complementary use of chemotherapeutic agents has been investigated as a way to overcome the deficiencies of mechanical oral hygiene habits, insofar as they reduce both plaque formation and gingival inflammation, and represent a valid strategy to change the biofilm and maintain dental and periodontal health. The role of the dental professional is to monitor patients and offer them the best recommendations to preserve oral health throughout their life. With this in mind, chemical control should be indicated as part of daily oral hygiene, together with mechanical procedures, for all individuals who present supragingival and/or subgingival biofilm, taking into account age, physical and/or psychological limitations, allergies, and other factors.

Estudo estrutural por RMN do peptídeo policatiônico polybine I de veneno da vespa social Polybia paulista

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estado nutricional e perfil bioquímico de zinco e selênio em pacientes com deficiência de UgA

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Um estudo sobre a saúde do professor a partir da perspectiva da sociologia sensível de Michel Maffesoli

Pós-graduação em Educação Escolar - FCLAR

Análise proteômica dos alérgenos imunodominantes do veneno da vespa social Polybia paulista

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Celular e Molecular) - IBRC

Skin diseases reported by workers from UNESP campus at Rubiao Jr, Botucatu-SP (Brazil)

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

Prevalence of obesity and relationship wit body mass index and symptoms of asthma in adolescents

To investigate the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and asthma symptoms in adolescents between 13 and 14 years, to estimate the prevalence of obesity in this age group. This is a crosssectional study with a quantitative approach which was rated the Body Mass Index (BMI) and applied the Questionnaire International Study of asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase III (asthma module) to determine the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms, as well as its severity in 85teenagers. According to the assessment of asthma in relation to BMI, it was found that there were significant findings, as well as in males and females. However, the association between BMI and asthma symptoms, there was a significant association to present as disturbed sleep and impaired speech. Conclusions: In this sample the prevalence of obesity was low, this fact may have contributed to the nonsignificant findings betweenasthma and BMI.

Efeitos preventivos do exercício físico sobre as proteínas ciclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) e fator de crescimento de vasos derivado do endotélio (VEGF) no músculo cardíaco em ratos tratados com dexametasona

Dexamethasone (DEXA) is a synthetic glucocorticoid widely used in the handling of several drugs, for its proven benefits in fighting inflammation and allergies. Despite their benefits, their chronic use leads to several side effects that include changes in the body in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Moreover, being an anti-inflammatory, acts on the arachidonic acid pathway, reducing the expression of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and growth factor derived from the endothelium of blood vessels (VEGF) in various tissues. However, its effects on the myocardium are still uncertain. The physical training (PT), in turn, promotes effects contrary to those caused by chronic use of DEXA, however, little is known about the preventive effects of TF in the side effects of Dexa in the myocardium. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if the TF has the ability to prevent and/or mitigate the effects of Dexa in protein expression of COX-2 and VEGF in the myocardium. Forty animals were divided into 4 groups: sedentary control (SC), sedentary treated with Dexa (SD), trained control (TC) and Trained treated with Dexa (TD) and submitted to a protocol of physical training on the treadmill for 70 days (1 h/day-5 days per week, 60% of physical capacity) or kept sedentary. Over the past 10 days, rats were treated with Dexa (Decadron, 0.5 mg/kg per day, ip) or saline. During training the animals were weighed weekly and during treatment daily. At the end of treatment was made to measure fasting glucose levels of animals. The rats were killed with excess anesthesia and cardiac muscle was removed, weighed, homogenized, centrifuged and stored at -20° C for analysis of protein expression of VEGF and COX-2 by Western blotting technique. Treatment with dexamethasone caused a weight loss of 18% in sedentary animals and 13% in trained as well as elevated levels of fasting glucose in sedentary (88%). The TF was unable to mitigate the loss in...