Chronic hepatitis C virus infections in Brazilian patients: association with genotypes, clinical parameters and response to long term alpha interferon therapy

The present study assessed the clinical significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and their influence on response to long term recombinant-interferon-alpha (r-IFN-a) therapy in Brazilian patients. One hundred and thirty samples from patients previously genotyped for the HCV and with histologically confirmed chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) were evaluated for clinical and epidemiological parameters (sex, age, time of HCV infection and transmission routes). No difference in disease activity, sex, age or mode and time of transmission were seen among patients infected with HCV types 1, 2 or 3. One hundred and thirteen of them were treated with 3 million units of r-IFN-a, 3 times a week for 12 months. Initial response (IR) was significantly better in patients with genotype 2 (100%) and 3 (46%) infections than in patients with genotype 1 (29%) (p < 0.005). Among subtypes, difference in IR was observed between 1b and 2 (p < 0.005), and between 1b and 3a (p < 0.05). Sustained response (SR) was observed in 12% for (sub)type 1a, 13% for 1b, 19% for 3a, and 40% for type 2; significant differences were found between 1b and 2 (p < 0.001), and between 1b and 3a (p < 0.05). Moreover, presence of cirrhosis was significantly associated with non response and response with relapse (p < 0.05). In conclusion, non-1 HCV genotype and lack of histological diagnosis of cirrhosis were the only baseline features associated with sustained response to treatment. These data indicate that HCV genotyping may have prognostic relevance in the responsiveness to r-IFN-a therapy in Brazilian patients with chronic HCV infection, as seen in other reports worldwide.

Rat hepatocyte invasion by Listeria monocytogenes and analysis of TNF-alpha role in apoptosis

Listeria monocytogenes, etiological agent of severe human foodborne infection, uses sophisticated mechanisms of entry into host cytoplasm and manipulation of the cellular cytoskeleton, resulting in cell death. The host cells and bacteria interaction may result in cytokine production as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) alpha. Hepatocytes have potential to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines as TNF-alpha when invaded by bacteria. In the present work we showed the behavior of hepatocytes invaded by L. monocytogenes by microscopic analysis, determination of TNF-alpha production by bioassay and analysis of the apoptosis through TUNEL technique. The presence of bacterium, in ratios that ranged from 5 to 50,000 bacteria per cell, induced the rupture of cellular monolayers. We observed the presence of internalized bacteria in the first hour of incubation by electronic microscopy. The levels of TNF-alpha increased from first hour of incubation to sixth hour, ranging from 0 to 3749 pg/mL. After seven and eight hours of incubation non-significant TNF-alpha levels decrease occurred, indicating possible saturation of cellular receptors. Thus, the quantity of TNF-alpha produced by hepatocytes was dependent of the incubation time, as well as of the proportion between bacteria and cells. The apoptosis rate increased in direct form with the incubation time (1 h to 8 + 24 h), ranging from 0 to 43%, as well as with the bacteria : cells ratio. These results show the ability of hepatocyte invasion by non-hemolytic L. monocytogenes, and the main consequences of this phenomenon were the release of TNF-alpha by hepatocytes and the induction of apoptosis. We speculate that hepatocytes use apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha for release bacteria to extracellular medium. This phenomenon may facilitate the bacteria destruction by the immune system.

Cryoglobulinemia in chronic hepatitis C: clinical aspects and response to treatment with interferon alpha and ribavirin

INTRODUCTION: The main extra-hepatic manifestation of hepatitis C is mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). The aim of this study was to evaluate its prevalence among patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), to correlate its presence to host and virological variables and to the response to combined therapy with interferon-alpha and ribavirin. CASUISTIC AND METHODS: 202 CHC naive patients (136 with chronic hepatitis and 66 with cirrhosis) were consecutively evaluated for the presence of cryoglobulins. Cryoprecipitates were characterized by immunoelectrophoresis and classified according to the Brouet's criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of MC was 27% (54/202), and 24% of them (13/54) showed major clinical manifestation of the disease. Even though type III MC was more frequent (78%), symptomatic MC was more common in type II MC. The presence of cirrhosis (RR = 2.073; IC95% = 1.029 - 4.179; p = 0.041), and age of the patients (RR = 1.035; IC95% = 1.008 - 1.062; p = 0.01) were independently associated with the presence of cryoglobulins. No relationship was found with viral load and genotype. 102 patients were treated with interferon alpha and ribavirin. Among these, 31 had MC. Sustained virological response (around 30%) was similar in patients with and without MC (p = 0.971). CONCLUSION: MC represents a prevalent complication in patients with CHC, specially older and cirrhotic patients. Only 24% of these patients show clinical manifestation of the disease, specially those with type II MC. The presence of MC did not affect the response to therapy.

Kinetics of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-10 and IL-4 production by mononuclear cells stimulated with gp43 peptides, in patients cured of paracoccidioidomycosis

We analyzed the kinetics of cytokine production by mononuclear cells from 17 patients who had been treated for paracoccidioidomycosis, using the stimulus of gp43 peptide groups (43kDa glycoprotein of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis) at 0.1 and 1µM, gp43 (1µg/ml) and crude Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigen (PbAg; 75µg/ml). IFN-gamma production was a maximum at 144 hours in relation to the G2 and G8 peptide groups at 1µM and was greatest at 144 hours when stimulated by gp43 and by PbAg. The maximum TNF-alpha production was at 144 hours for the G2 group (0.1µM) and for gp43. IL-10 production was highest after 48 and 72 hours for G7 and G6 at 1µM, respectively. We also suggest the best time for analysis of IL4 production. These results may contribute towards future studies with gp43 peptides and encourage further investigations with the aim of understanding the influence of these peptides on the production of inflammatory and regulatory cytokines.

Detection of circulant tumor necrosis factor-alpha , soluble tumor necrosis factor p75 and interferon-gamma in Brazilian patients with dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of dengue infection. This study reports cytokine levels in a total of 54 patients examined in Recife, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Five out of eight patients who had hemorrhagic manifestations presented tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in sera which were statistically higher than those recorded for controls. In contrast, only one out of 16 patients with mild manifestations had elevated TNF-alpha levels. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL), IL-1beta tested in 24 samples and IL-12 in 30 samples were not significantly increased. Interferon-g was present in 10 out of 30 patients with dengue. The data support the concept that the increased level of TNF-alpha is related to the severity of the disease. Soluble TNF receptor p75 was found in most patients but it is unlikely to be related to severity since it was found with an equivalent frequency and levels in 15 patients with dengue fever and another 15 with dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Increased plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in asymptomatic/"indeterminate" and Chagas disease cardiomyopathy patients

We compared plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels among asymptomatic/"indeterminate" Chagas disease patients (ASY) and patients across the clinical spectrum of chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC). Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients and normal controls (NC) were included as controls. ASY Chagas disease patients had significantly higher plasma TNF-alpha levels than NC. TNF-alpha levels among severe CCC patients with significant left ventricular (LV) dysfunction were similar to those of DCM patients, showing average 2-fold higher levels than CCC patients without LV dysfunction and ASY patients, and 8-fold higher levels than NC. In Chagas disease, chronic TNF-a production prior to heart failure may play a role in CCC progression.

Identification of casein kinase 1, casein kinase 2, and cAMP-dependent protein kinase-like activities in Trypanosoma evansi

Trypanosoma evansi contains protein kinases capable of phosphorylating endogenous substrates with apparent molecular masses in the range between 20 and 205 kDa. The major phosphopolypeptide band, pp55, was predominantly localized in the particulate fraction. Anti-alpha and anti-beta tubulin monoclonal antibodies recognized pp55 by Western blot analyses, suggesting that this band corresponds to phosphorylated tubulin. Inhibition experiments in the presence of emodin, heparin, and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate indicated that the parasite tubulin kinase was a casein kinase 2 (CK2)-like activity. GTP, which can be utilized instead of ATP by CK2, stimulated rather than inactivated the phosphorylation of tubulin in the parasite homogenate and particulate fraction. However, GTP inhibited the cytosolic CK2 responsible for phosphorylating soluble tubulin and other soluble substrates. Casein and two selective peptide substrates, P1 (RRKDLHDDEEDEAMSITA) for casein kinase (CK1) and P2 (RRRADDSDDDDD) for CK2, were recognized as substrates in T. evansi. While the enzymes present in the soluble fraction predominantly phosphorylated P1, P2 was preferentially labeled in the particulate fractions. These results demonstrated the existence of CK1-like and CK2-like activities primarily located in the parasite cytosolic and membranous fractions, respectively. Histone II-A and kemptide (LRRASVA) also behaved as suitable substrates, implying the existence of other Ser/Thr kinases in T. evansi. Cyclic AMP only increased the phosphorylation of histone II-A and kemptide in the cytosol, demonstrating the existence of soluble cAMP-dependent protein kinase-like activities in T. evansi. However, no endogenous substrates for this enzyme were identified in this fraction. Further evidences were obtained by using PKI (6-22), a reported inhibitor of the catalytic subunit of mammalian cAMP-dependent protein kinases, which specifically hindered the cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of histone II-A and kemptide in the parasite soluble fraction. Since the sum of the values obtained in the parasite cytosolic and particulate fractions were always higher than the values observed in the total T. evansi lysate, the kinase activities examined here appeared to be inhibited in the original extract.

Purification and biochemica characterisation of endoplasmic reticulum α 1,2-mannosidase from Sporothrix schenckiil

Alpha 1,2-mannosidases from glycosyl hydrolase family 47 participate in N-glycan biosynthesis. In filamentous fungi and mammalian cells, α1,2-mannosidases are present in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi complex and are required to generate complex N-glycans. However, lower eukaryotes such Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain only one α1,2-mannosidase in the lumen of the ER and synthesise high-mannose N-glycans. Little is known about the N-glycan structure and the enzyme machinery involved in the synthesis of these oligosaccharides in the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. Here, a membrane-bound α-mannosidase from S. schenckii was solubilised using a high-temperature procedure and purified by conventional methods of protein isolation. Analytical zymograms revealed a polypeptide of 75 kDa to be responsible for enzyme activity and this purified protein was recognised by anti-α1,2-mannosidase antibodies. The enzyme hydrolysed Man9GlcNAc2 into Man8GlcNAc2 isomer B and was inhibited preferentially by 1-deoxymannojirimycin. This α1,2-mannosidase was localised in the ER, with the catalytic domain within the lumen of this compartment. These properties are consistent with an ER-localised α1,2-mannosidase of glycosyl hydrolase family 47. Our results also suggested that in contrast to other filamentous fungi, S. schenckii lacks Golgi α1,2-mannosidases and therefore, the processing of N-glycans by α1,2-mannosidases is similar to that present in lower eukaryotes.

Reações de inserção intramolecular de diazo compostos polifuncionais catalisadas por ródio(II): síntese de oxetan-3-ona-2-carboxilato e outros heterociclos funcionalizados

gamma-Hydroxy-alpha-diazo-beta-ketoesters are key intermediates in the chemistry of penicilin-based antibiotics and natural products. The method developed here for the synthesis of ethyl 2-diazo-4-hydroxy-3-oxo-butanoate 17 (in two steps from the diazo mercurial 2) compares very favorably with those reported in the literature for similar compounds. The Rh2(OAc)4-mediated intramolecular OH-insertion reaction of the diazo hydroxy ester 17 was investigated, furnishing the oxetan-3-one-2-carboxilate 18 in good yield. When the diazo ester lacks a free hydroxyl group as in the case of the phenoxy diazo ester 11 an intramolecular CH-insertion takes place, affording the 2H-chromene 20 in almost quantitative yield. The behavior of other functionalized diazo esters towards Rh2(OAc)4 was also investigated.

Metodologias de síntese de 2-arilcicloexanonas

Several methodologies concerning the preparation of 2-aryl and 2-heteroarylcyclohexanones are presented. The use of these intermediates in the synthesis of chemically and biologically interesting organic compounds is also discussed.

Síntese de novos herbicidas derivados do 1,2alfa,4alfa,5-tetrametil-8-oxabiciclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ona

In this paper we report the synthesis of biologically active compounds through a [3+4] cycloaddition reaction to produce the main frame structure, followed by several conventional transformations. The 1,2alpha,4alpha,5-tetramethyl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one (11) obtained from a [3+4] cycloaddition reaction was converted into 1,2alpha,4alpha,5-tetramethyl-6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxi-8 -oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one (13) in 46% yield. This was further converted into the alcohols 1,2alpha,4alpha,5-tetramethyl-6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxi-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3 alpha-ol (14), 1,2alpha,4alpha,5-tetramethyl-6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxi-8 -oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3beta-ol (15), 1,2alpha,4alpha,5-tetramethyl-3-butyl-6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxi-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3 alpha-ol (17), 1,2alpha,4alpha,5-tetramethyl-3-hexyl-6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxi-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3 alpha-ol (18) and 1,2alpha,4alpha,5-tetramethyl-3-decyl-6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxi-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3 alpha-ol (19). Dehydration of 17, 18 and 19 with thionyl chloride in pyridine resulted in the alkenes 20, 21 and 22 in ca. 82% - 89% yields from starting alcohols. The herbicidal activity of the compounds synthesized was evaluated at a concentration of 100 µg g-1. The most active compound was 21 causing 42,7% inhibition against Cucumis sativus L.

Síntese de novas fitotoxinas derivadas do 8-oxabiciclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ona

The [4+3] cycloaddition was utilized in order to prepare 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one (1) derivatives. The correspondent acetonide 6 was converted into several alcohols (11-16). Addition of aryllithium reagents to 6 resulted in 3-(2-fluorophenyl)-6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxy -8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3alpha-ol (11, 72%) and 3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxy-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan -3alpha-ol (16, 20%). The 3-butyl-6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxy-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3 alpha-ol (15, 56%) was obtained through a Grignard reaction. Reduction of 6 resulted in 6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxy-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3 beta-ol (7, 62%) and 6,7-exo-isopropylidenedioxy-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3 alpha-ol (8, 20%). The alcohols were treated with thionyl chloride in pyridine, and the corresponding alkenes were obtained with 31-80% yield. The effect of these compounds on the development of radicle and aerial parts of Sorghum bicolor was evaluated.

Uma nova síntese de alfa-bromo-acetofenonas e sua aplicação na obtenção de 2-benzoil-benzofuranas

alpha-Bromoacetophenones are important in organic synthesis. They have been widely used as precursors of several natural products. Several methods of bromination aiming at their synthesis have been described, however they furnish a mixture of starting material 10, mono 8 and dibromide 11 products. We developed a novel, simple and efficient synthesis of these compounds with applications in the synthesis of benzoylbenzofurans 9, compounds with important pharmacological properties, such as the ability of dilating the coronary artery and analgesic action. Such compounds have also been used as key intermediates to obtain quinone systems.

Electrical and magnetic properties of new compounds of the conductor anion [Ni(dmit)2]- and nitronyl nitroxide magnetic radicals

Three compounds have been synthesized with formulae [3-MeRad][Ni(dmit)2] (1), [4-MeRad][Ni(dmit)2] (2) and [4-PrRad][Ni(dmit)2] (3) where [Ni(dmit)2]- is an anionic pi-radical (dmit = 1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate) and [3-MeRad]+ is 3-N-methylpyridinium alpha-nitronyl nitroxide, [4-MeRad]+ is 4-N-methylpyridinium alpha-nitronyl nitroxide and [4-PrRad]+ is 4-N-propylpyridinium alpha-nitronyl nitroxide. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility of 1 revealed that an antiferromagnetic interaction operates between the 3-MeRad+ radical cations with exchange coupling constants of J1 = - 1.72 cm-1 and antiferromagnetism assigned to the spin ladder chains of the Ni(dmit)2 radical anions. Compound 1 exhibits semiconducting behavior and 3 presents capacitor behavior in the temperature range studied (4 - 300 K).