Modulatory effects of tuberculosis vaccines on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Although BCG is the only accepted vaccine against tuberculosis (TB), its protective ability is very limited. Therefore, many new vaccines are being evaluated. Our group has been working on DNAhsp65 - a genetic construction containing the hsp65 gene from Mycobacterium leprae. In previous experimental works, we demonstrated that both DNAhsp65 alone or associated with BCG, in a prime-boost regimen, were effective to control TB. A possible deleterious effect related to autoimmunity needed to be tested because hsp65 is highly homologous to the correspondent mammalian protein. In this investigation we tested the effect of a previous immunization with DNAhsp65 alone or associated with BCG in a rat model of multiple sclerosis. Female Lewis rats were immunized with three doses of DNAhsp65 or primed with BCG followed by two DNAhsp65 boosters. The animals were, then, immunized with myelin associated with complete Freund's adjuvant to develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The following parameters were evaluated: weight loss, clinical score, central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and anti-myelin immune response. No deleterious effect was associated with these immunizations schedules. Immunized animals equally lost weight, the clinical scores were similar and CNS inflammation did not increase. Interestingly, both procedures determined decreased inflammation in the brain and lumbar spinal cord. This was concurrent with a modulatory effect over cytokine production by peripheral lymphoid organs. Cell cultures from spleen and lymph nodes in vitro stimulated with myelin produced less IFN-gamma and IL-10, respectively. This phenomenon was more clear in rats immunized with the genetic vaccine alone than with the prime-boost strategy. Together the results suggest that these strategies for TB prophylaxis would not accelerate or aggravate multiple sclerosis, being therefore, safe in this aspect. In addition, they indicate that these vaccination regimens have a potential anti-inflammatory activity that could be better explored in the future.

The neurotoxicological effects of mastoparan Polybia-MPII at the murine neuromuscular junction: an ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of isoflavone on the learning and memory of women in menopause: a double-blind placebo-controlled study

Hormone decline is common to all women during aging and, associated with other factors, leads to cognitive impairment. Its replacement enhances cognitive performance, but not all women present a clinical and family or personal history that justifies its use, mainly women with a history of cancer. The aim of this study was to determine whether a daily oral dose of 80 mg of isoflavone extract for 4 months can produce benefits in women with low hormone levels, contributing to improvement in cognitive aspects. The sample comprised 50- to 65-year-old women whose menstruation had ceased at least 1 year before and who had not undergone hormone replacement. The volunteers were allocated to two groups of 19 individuals each, i.e., isoflavone and placebo. There was a weak correlation between menopause duration and low performance in the capacity to manipulate information (central executive). We observed an increase in the capacity to integrate information in the group treated with isoflavone, but no improvement in the capacity to form new memories. We did not observe differences between groups in terms of signs and symptoms suggestive of depression according to the Geriatric Depression Scale. Our results point to a possible beneficial effect of isoflavone on some abilities of the central executive. These effects could also contribute to minimizing the impact of memory impairment. Further research based on controlled clinical trials is necessary to reach consistent conclusions.

Functional capacity of Brazilian patients with Parkinson's disease (PD): Relationship between clinical characteristics and disease severity

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Reduced allergic lung inflammation in rats following formaldehyde exposure: Long-term effects on multiple effector systems

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

Effect of photodynamic therapy on clinical isolates of Staphylococcus spp

Staphylococcus spp. are opportunistic microorganisms known for their capacity to develop resistance against antimicrobial agents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on 20 Staphylococcus strains isolated from the human oral cavity, including S. aureus, S. schleiferi, S. epidermidis, S. capitis, S. haemolyticus, and S. lentus. A suspension of each Staphylococcus strain (10(6) cells/mL) was submitted to PDT using methylene blue and a low power laser. The isolated effects of methylene blue, laser treatment and ciprofloxacin were also evaluated. After the experimental treatments, 0.1 mL aliquots of the suspensions were seeded onto BHI agar for determination of the number of colony-forming units (CFU/mL). The results were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). The mean reduction in bacterial counts of the strains submitted to PDT ranged from 4.89 to 6.83 CFU (log10)/mL, with the observation of a decreasing susceptibility to treatment of S. schleiferi, S. haemolyticus, S. epidermidis, S. capitis, S. aureus, and S. lentus. The results showed that PDT was effective in reducing the number of viable cells of all clinical Staphylococcus isolates studied.

Efficacy of Endodontic Treatment for Endotoxin Reduction in Primarily Infected Root Canals and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Effects

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

The effects of rose bengal- and erythrosine-mediated photodynamic therapy on Candida albicans

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic Antimicrobial Effects of Malachite Green on Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae, and Candida

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

Effects of mechanical cycling on the bonding of zirconia and fiber posts to human root dentin

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of cyclical mechanical loading on the bond strength of a fiber and a zirconia post bonded to root dentin.Materials and Methods: Forty single-rooted human teeth (maxillary incisors and canines) were sectioned, and the root canals were prepared at 12 mm. Twenty randomly seleced specimens received a quartz fiber post (FRC) (D.T. Light-Post) and 20 others received a zirconia post (ZR) (Cosmopost). The posts were resin luted (All Bond 2 + resin cement Duo-link) and each specimen was embedded in epoxy resin inside a PVC cylinder. Ten specimens with FRC post and 10 specimens with ZR post were submitted to fatigue testing (2,000,000 cycles; load: 50 N; angle of 45 degrees; frequency: 8 Hz), while the other 20 specimens were not fatigued. Thus, 4 groups were formed: G1: FRC+O cycles; G2: FRC+2,000,000 cycles; G3: ZR+O cycles; G4: ZR+2,000,000 cycles. Later, the specimens were cut perpendicular to their long axis to form 2-mm-thick disk-shaped samples (4 sections/specimen), which were submitted to the push-out test (1 mm/min). The mean bond strength values (MPa) were calculated for each tooth (n = 10) and data were submitted to statistical analysis (alpha = 0.05).Results: Two-way ANOVA revealed that the bond strength was significantly affected by mechanical cycling (p = 0.0014) and root post (p = 0.0325). The interaction was also statistically significant (p = 0.0010). Tukey's test showed that the mechanical cycling did not affect the bonding of FRC to root dentin, while fatigue impaired the bonding of zirconium to root dentin.Conclusion: (1) the bond strength of the FRC post to root dentin was not reduced after fatigue testing, whereas the bonding of the zirconia post was significantly affected by the fatigue. (2) Cyclical mechanical loading appears to damage the bond strength of the rigid post only.

Effects of Nd : YAG and Er : YAG lasers on the sealing of root canal fillings

Objective: the ability of the laser irradiation to promote the cleaning and disinfection of the radicular canal system has become this type of treatment in a viable and real alternative in endodontics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the apical marginal sealing of root canal fillings after the irradiation with the laser of Nd:YAG or of Er:YAG. Materials and Methods: Forty-two human, extracted single-rooted teeth had their crowns sectioned and the root canals prepared with a no. 70 K-file. Then, they were dried and divided into three groups according to canal wall treatment: group 1: the canals were filled with EDTA for 3 min, followed by irrigation with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution; group 2: the canal walls were irradiated with Nd:YAG laser; and group 3: the canal walls were irradiated with Er:YAG laser. Afterwards, the root canals were obturated by the lateral condensation technique. The roots were externally waterproof, except in the apical foramen and immerged in 2% methylene blue aqueous solution during 48 hours. Results: the results showed that the largest infiltrations happened in the group 3-Er:YAG (7.3 mm), proceeded by the group 1-EDTA (1.6 mm) and by the group 2-Nd:YAG (0.6 mm). The group Er:YAG differed statistically of the others (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that the Er:YAG laser intracanal irradiation previously to the root canal filling must be used with caution until future research is define the best parameters for it's use.

Effects of Dimerization on the Structure and Biological Activity of Antimicrobial Peptide Ctx-Ha

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of lidocaine on lipopolysaccharide-induced synovitis in horses

Injetou-se lidocaína (100mg 2%) na articulação do carpo para avaliar a resposta inflamatória induzida pela injeção (1,5ng) intra-articular de lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) de E. coli. Utilizaram-se 17 cavalos Mangalarga não castrados, entre dois e três anos, divididos em três grupos. No carpo esquerdo (CE) administrou-se solução fisiológica a 0,9% (SAL) e no carpo direito (CD) uma das seguintes combinações: grupo A (n=6) LPS mais SAL, grupo B (n=6) LPS mais lidocaína e grupo C (n=5) lidocaína mais SAL. Amostras do líquido sinovial e de sangue foram colhidas imediatamente antes da injeção de LPS (T0) e às 1,30 (T1), 3 (T2), 6 (T3), 12 (T4) e 36 horas (T5) após a injeção. Variáveis clínicas e físicas, e características bioquímicas e celulares do líquido sinovial foram avaliadas nos mesmos tempos. A resposta inflamatória local e sistêmica foi mensurada pela concentração do TNF-alfa no soro e líquido sinovial. Observou-se aumento da concentração do TNF-alfa nas articulações injetadas com LPS às 3h no grupo A e de 1,30 às 3h no grupo B. Concluiu-se que o LPS induziu o processo inflamatório e que a lidocaína não inibiu nem atenuou a sinovite induzida pelo LPS, nem a síntese e liberação de TNF-alfa .

Effects of acetylsalicylic acid and acetic acid solutions on VX2 liver carcinoma in rabbits: in vivo analysis

OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos das soluções de aspirina e de ácido acético, in vivo, em fígado de coelhos portadores de tumor hepático VX2, verificando o efeito histolítico e anatomo-patológico das soluções e eventuais alterações bioquímicas hepáticas. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se 48 coelhos, divididos em 2 protocolos experimentais(3 e 4), subdivididos em 3 grupos cada. Após 4 dias da implantação do tumor no fígado, procedeu-se a laparotomia mediana, com injeção de 0,4 ml da solução de aspirina (5,0%), de ácido acético (5,0%) e solução salina; o sacrifício ocorreu apos 24 horas (protocolo 3) e 11 dias (protocolo 4); avaliou-se o peso, evolução clinica, dosagens bioquímicas, cavidade abdominal e torácica e microscopia do fígado. RESULTADOS: Não foram observadas alterações na evolução clinica, peso e nas dosagens bioquímicas, apenas elevação da fosfatase alcalina no grupo controle do protocolo 4. Observamos desaparecimento do tumor em ambos os protocolos. CONCLUSÃO: As soluções de ácido acético e ácido acetilsalicílico acarretam destruição do tumor hepático experimental.

Effects of intraperitoneal injection of phenol, glycerin and acetic acid on neoplastic ascitis in guinea pigs

OBJETIVO: Investigar a ação hìstolítica de uma solução composta de fenol, glicerina e ácido acético na ascite neoplásica em cobaias. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas 32 cobaias, distribuídas por sorteio, em grupos experimentais e controles e estudados os efeitos da injeção peritonial da solução teste. Nos grupos controles empregou-se solução fisiológica. Foram estudadas alterações bioquímicas, anatomopatológicas (coração, pulmões, rins, baço e serosa peritonial), com 24 horas e 4 semanas de evolução. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que a solução E quando instilada na cavidade peritonial não provocou nenhuma alteração clinica, histologica ou laboratorial nestes animais, quando comparados com o grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: Frente aos resultados obtidos, consideramos interessante estudar os efeitos da solução proposta em casos de ascite neoplásica experimental em animais, com posterior estudo em seres humanos.