Pseudopterígio em coelho - tratamento com tracolimus / Pseudopterygium in a rabbit - treatment with tracolimus

Background: Pseudopterygium, also known as aberrant conjunctival growth, is poorly described in the literature, althoughit is known that this abnormality is uncommon and affects dwarf rabbits and their crossbreeds. The etiology of this diseaseis unknown, but there are hypotheses that the conjunctival growth cause may have its origins in immunological factors,inflammation, traumatic conditions, or cartilage dysplasias. Thus, this study reports the treatment efficacy applied in arabbit, through the continuous use of tracolimus eye drops, after surgical procedure of conjunctival fold resection, as away of controlling the pseudopterygium in rabbits.Case: This case report discusses the positive results from the surgical and therapeutic conduct of a clinical case attended bythe Ophthalmology and Microsurgical Veterinary Service at the Hospital Veterinário Universitário (HVU) of the UFSM. Thepatient was a male rabbit, sterilized, approximately 2-year-old, crossed with a dwarf rabbit. The owner’s main complaintwas the change in the aspect of the left eye, with progressive worsening in the previous four weeks. In the ophthalmologicalexamination, the animal did not present impaired vision or discomfort, however, a vascularized pink membrane was noted,which consisted of a fold of the bulbar conjunctiva, that grew centripetally and covered 90% of the cornea in 360 degrees.The diagnosis was confirmed through visual inspection and the patient’s history. The eye alteration had a characteristicaspect, described as proliferation of the bulbar conjunctiva over the cornea, in a centripetal manner and without signs ofinflammation. In addition, other ophthalmological alterations were ruled out during the patient’s physical and specificexamination. The patient was referred for anesthetic evaluation and, in addition, pre-surgical blood tests were performed,which were normal, according to the expected ranges for the species...

Pseudopterígio em coelho - tratamento com tracolimus / Pseudopterygium in a rabbit - treatment with tracolimus

Background: Pseudopterygium, also known as aberrant conjunctival growth, is poorly described in the literature, althoughit is known that this abnormality is uncommon and affects dwarf rabbits and their crossbreeds. The etiology of this diseaseis unknown, but there are hypotheses that the conjunctival growth cause may have its origins in immunological factors,inflammation, traumatic conditions, or cartilage dysplasias. Thus, this study reports the treatment efficacy applied in arabbit, through the continuous use of tracolimus eye drops, after surgical procedure of conjunctival fold resection, as away of controlling the pseudopterygium in rabbits.Case: This case report discusses the positive results from the surgical and therapeutic conduct of a clinical case attended bythe Ophthalmology and Microsurgical Veterinary Service at the Hospital Veterinário Universitário (HVU) of the UFSM. Thepatient was a male rabbit, sterilized, approximately 2-year-old, crossed with a dwarf rabbit. The owners main complaintwas the change in the aspect of the left eye, with progressive worsening in the previous four weeks. In the ophthalmologicalexamination, the animal did not present impaired vision or discomfort, however, a vascularized pink membrane was noted,which consisted of a fold of the bulbar conjunctiva, that grew centripetally and covered 90% of the cornea in 360 degrees.The diagnosis was confirmed through visual inspection and the patients history. The eye alteration had a characteristicaspect, described as proliferation of the bulbar conjunctiva over the cornea, in a centripetal manner and without signs ofinflammation. In addition, other ophthalmological alterations were ruled out during the patients physical and specificexamination. The patient was referred for anesthetic evaluation and, in addition, pre-surgical blood tests were performed,which were normal, according to the expected ranges for the species...(AU)

CCS e amiloide A do leite de quartos mamários tratados na secagem com plasma rico em plaquetas autólogo, associado ou não a antibiótico / [CCS and Amyloid A of milk from breast quarters treated in drying with autologous platelet-rich plasma, with or without antibiotics]

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar biomarcadores de mastite após terapia da secagem com plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP), associado ou não a antibiótico. Trinta e seis quartos mamários foram utilizados em três tratamentos (T): T1 - antibiótico (ATB), T2 - PRP e T3 - PRP + ATB. Amostras de leite foram coletadas antes da secagem (A1), no parto (D0) e 14, 30 e 60 dias pós-parto (D14, D30 e D60), para determinar contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e amiloide A (AA). O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso, com arranjo em parcelas subdivididas (SigmaPlot®). Dados de CCS foram transformados (log 10). As médias foram comparadas utilizando-se testes de Tukey ou Holm-Sidak (P<0,05). A CCS em A1 foi elevada em todos os grupos (P>0,05). No D30, CCS foi maior em T2 (P<0,05), igualando-se no D60. Não houve diferença na AA entre Ts em qualquer dia de coleta (P>0,05). Houve diferença nos momentos de coleta (P<0,05), A1 maior que D14 e D30. Houve uma correlação positiva fraca com CCS (0,280). Os tratamentos foram semelhantes em manter a saúde da glândula mamária na lactação subsequente. O PRP intramamário pode ser usado para terapia de vaca seca em casos de mastite subclínica.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate biomarkers of mastitis after autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) dry cow therapy, associated or not with antibiotic, compared to conventional treatment. Thirty-six mammary quarters were used in three treatments (T): T1 - antibiotic, T2 - PRP and T3 - PRP + ATB. Milk samples were collected before drying (A1), on calving (D0) and at 14, 30 and 60 days postpartum (D14, D30 and D60), for Somatic Cell Count (CCS) and amyloid dosage A (AA). The design was completely randomized with arrangement in subdivided plots (SigmaPlot ®). Data from CCS were transformed in log10. Means were compared using the Tukey or Holm-Sidak tests, at a 95% confidence level (P<0.05). CCS in A1 was elevated in allgroups (P>0.05). On D30 CCS was higher in T2 (P<0.05), matching D60. There was no difference in AA among T on any day of collection (P>0.05). There was difference in collection moments (P<0.05), A1 different from D14 and D30. There was a weak positive correlation with CCS (0.280). Three treatments were similar in maintaining the health of the mammary gland at subsequent lactation. PRP intramammary can be used for dry cow therapy in subclinical mastitis.(AU)

Potencial terapêutico das proteínas imunorregulatórias recombinantes: produção heteróloga, caracterização e avaliação da atividade biológica da Cistatina-B da piranha vermelha Pygocentrus nattereri

A aquicultura é o setor de maior crescimento entre as indústrias de produção animal. Paralelo a esse importante crescimento ocorre o surgimento de doenças infecciosas, as quais podem causar significativas perdas nos estoques e problemas com o bem-estar animal, sendo o maior obstáculo para avanços na produção aquícola. Para enfrentar essa problemática é necessário associar boas técnicas de manejo ao desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias. Áreas como a biotecnologia e a engenharia genética possibilitam a produção de proteínas recombinantes, as quais podem ser utilizadas tanto na prevenção como no tratamento de doenças, sendo consideradas promissoras para o uso na indústria aquícola. Desta forma, fica evidente a necessidade de reunir toda informação referente ao estado da arte do uso de proteínas recombinantes na aquicultura. Assim, no primeiro capítulo dessa tese foi feita uma revisão do potencial terapêutico das proteínas imunorregulatórias na aquicultura, o que destaca que o uso de proteínas imunorregulatórias tem potencial para serem utilizadas na prevenção e tratamento de doenças de peixes. Dentre as proteínas que apresentam esse potencial, destaca-se as cistatinas. Desta forma, no segundo capítulo foi produzida uma Cistatina-B, oriunda da piranha vermelha Pygocentrus nattereri de forma heteróloga. As cistatinas são conhecidas por formar uma superfamília de inibidores de proteases de cisteína que apresentam um papel chave na degradação de proteínas e estão relacionadas a diferentes processos fisiológicos, como o desenvolvimento e imunidade. Para isso, juvenis de P. nattereri foram capturados no lago Janauacá, município de Manaquiri Amazonas, Brasil. Através da tecnologia do DNA recombinante a proteína Cistatina-B foi produzida e expressada na levedura Pichia pastoris. Foram avaliados a atividade biológica inibitória da protease de cisteína e ação bacteriostática nas bactérias Escherichia coli e Bacillus subtilis. A expressão e purificação da proteína imunorregulatória recombinante rCistatina-B revelou um fragmento de aproximadamente 11.8 kDa. A atividade inibitória atingiu 100% de inibição a uma concentração de 60 µg/µL resposta dependente-concentração do inibidor. Ação bacteriostática em E.coli e B. subtilis, numa concentração de 60 µg/µL de rCistatina-B, apresentou um halo de inibição de 9.66±0.55 mm e 10.50±2.54 mm, respectivamente, inferiores ao observado no controle positivo (espectinomicina) para as duas bactérias (23.93±1.42 e 21.39±1.83 mm) (P<0.05). Na concentração de 80 µg/µL a resposta foi similar, com valores de 8.83±0.72 mm para E.coli e 13.34±5.64 para B. subtilis, menores comparadas com o controle positivo (20±0.04 mm e 24.53±3.91) (P<0.05). Desta forma, o sistema de expressão eucarionte foi hábil em produzir a proteína recombinante rCistatina-B de Pygocentrus nattereri. A partir da confirmação do potencial biológico da Cistatina-B da piranha, análises in silico foram realizadas no genoma do peixe tambaqui Colossoma macropomum. Essas análises, que constituem o capítulo 3 dessa tese, permitiram identificar e analisar a Cistatina-B em todo o genoma do tambaqui. Foram identificados oito genes que codificam para a cistatina-B com base na sequência da piranha. Em geral, o tamanho das Cistatinas-B variaram de 96 a 101 aminoácidos, estão presentes majoritariamente no citoplasma, todas apresentaram motivos e domínios conservados nas cistatinas, além de apresentarem estrutura tridimensional similar a cistatina humana cristalografada. Como conclusão, o conhecimento e desenvolvimento das proteínas imunorregulatórias recombinantes e seu potencial terapêutico na aquicultura permite fornecer um novo bioproduto, o qual poderá ser usado como suplemento para estimulação do sistema imune em peixes.

Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector among animal production industries. Parallel to this important growth is the emergence of infectious diseases, which can cause significant losses in stocks and problems with animal welfare, being the biggest obstacle to advances in aquaculture production. To face this problem, it is necessary to associate good management techniques with the development of new technologies. Areas such as biotechnology and genetic engineering enable the production of recombinant proteins, which can be used both in the prevention and treatment of diseases, being considered promising for use in the aquaculture industry. Thus, it is evident the need to gather all information regarding the state of the art of the use of recombinant proteins in aquaculture. Thus, in the first chapter of this thesis, a review was made of the therapeutic potential of immunoregulatory proteins in aquaculture, which highlights that the use of immunoregulatory proteins has the potential to be used in the prevention and treatment of fish diseases. Among the proteins that have this potential, cystatins stand out. Thus, in the second chapter a Cystatin-B was produced, originating from the red piranha Pygocentrus nattereri in a heterologous way. Cystatins are known to form a superfamily of cysteine protease inhibitors that play a key role in protein degradation and are related to different physiological processes, such as development and immunity. For that, juveniles of P. nattereri were captured in the lake Janauacá, municipality of Manaquiri - Amazonas, Brazil. Through recombinant DNA technology, the protein Cystatin-B was produced and expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The biological activity of cysteine protease and bacteriostatic action in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated. The expression and purification of the recombinant immunoregulatory protein rCystatin-B revealed a fragment of approximately 11.8 kDa. The inhibitory activity reached 100% inhibition at a concentration of 60 µg/µL response dependent on the concentration of the inhibitor. Bacteriostatic action in E.coli and B. subtilis, at a concentration of 60 µg /µL of rCystatin-B, showed an inhibition halo of 9.66 ± 0.55 mm and 10.50±2.54 mm, respectively, lower than that observed in the positive control (spectinomycin) for the two bacteria (23.93 ± 1.42 and 21.39 ± 1.83 mm) (P <0.05). At a concentration of 80 µg/µL the response was similar, with values of 8.83 ± 0.72 mm for E.coli and 13.34 ± 5.64 for B. subtilis, lower compared to the positive control (20 ± 0.04 mm and 24.53 ± 3.91) (P <0.05). Thus, the eukaryotic expression system was able to produce the recombinant protein rCystatin-B from Pygocentrus nattereri. From the confirmation of the biological potential of Cystatin-B of the piranha, in silico analyzes were carried out in the genome of the tambaqui fish Colossoma macropomum. These analyzes, which constitute chapter 3 of this thesis, made it possible to identify and analyze Cystatin-B throughout the tambaqui genome. Eight genes that code for Cystatin-B have been identified based on the piranha sequence. In general, the size of Cystatins-B varies from 96 to 101 amino acids, are present mainly in the cytoplasm, all of them presented motifs and domains conserved in cystatines, in addition to presenting a threedimensional structure similar to crystallized human cystatin. In conclusion, the knowledge and development of recombinant immunoregulatory proteins and their therapeutic potential in aquaculture allows us to provide a new bioproduct, which can be used as a supplement to stimulate the immune system in fish.

Toxicidade reprodutiva da associação de itraconazol e beta-glucana em ratas e sua progênie / Reproductive toxicity of itraconazole in combination with beta-glucan in female rats and their offspring

Background: Reports of yeast isolates resistant to traditional antifungal drugs have become common. Similarly, refractory clinical cases treated with these traditional antifungal drugs have also been reported. These cases ‘may or may not be related to pregnancy. Newly developed therapeutic approaches, such as the immunostimulant β-glucan combined with the traditional antifungal agents show promising results. Therefore, knowledge of the effects of these new associations is essential. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of the combination of itraconazole and β (1-3) glucan on fertility in female rats and its interference in the development of their offspring, including teratogenic potential.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 180 female Wistar rats (90 days old) separated into six groups were used (n = 30 per group): Negative Control - treated daily with the volume corresponding to 10 mL.kg-1 of sterile distilled water orally, and 0.25 mL of sterile 0.9% NaCl solution subcutaneously weekly; IT - treated daily with itraconazole at a dose of 10 mg.kg-1 orally, and 0.25 ml of sterile 0.9% NaCl solution subcutaneously weekly; Beta - treated daily with the volume corresponding to 10 mL.kg-1 of sterile distilled water orally, and 0.5 mg of β (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly; DT - treated daily with itraconazole at a dose of 10 mg.kg-1 orally, and 0.5 mg of β (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly; DT5x - treated daily with itraconazole at a dose of 50 mg.kg-1 orally, and 0.5 mg of β (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly; DT10x - treated daily with itraconazole at a dose of 100 mg.kg-1 orally, and 0.5 mg of β (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly. The rats were treated before (14 days) and during the mating period (up to 21 days), pregnancy (21 days) and lactation (21 days).[...](AU)

Toxicidade reprodutiva da associação de itraconazol e beta-glucana em ratas e sua progênie / Reproductive toxicity of itraconazole in combination with beta-glucan in female rats and their offspring

Background: Reports of yeast isolates resistant to traditional antifungal drugs have become common. Similarly, refractory clinical cases treated with these traditional antifungal drugs have also been reported. These cases ‘may or may not be related to pregnancy. Newly developed therapeutic approaches, such as the immunostimulant β-glucan combined with the traditional antifungal agents show promising results. Therefore, knowledge of the effects of these new associations is essential. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of the combination of itraconazole and β (1-3) glucan on fertility in female rats and its interference in the development of their offspring, including teratogenic potential.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 180 female Wistar rats (90 days old) separated into six groups were used (n = 30 per group): Negative Control - treated daily with the volume corresponding to 10 mL.kg-1 of sterile distilled water orally, and 0.25 mL of sterile 0.9% NaCl solution subcutaneously weekly; IT - treated daily with itraconazole at a dose of 10 mg.kg-1 orally, and 0.25 ml of sterile 0.9% NaCl solution subcutaneously weekly; Beta - treated daily with the volume corresponding to 10 mL.kg-1 of sterile distilled water orally, and 0.5 mg of β (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly; DT - treated daily with itraconazole at a dose of 10 mg.kg-1 orally, and 0.5 mg of β (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly; DT5x - treated daily with itraconazole at a dose of 50 mg.kg-1 orally, and 0.5 mg of β (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly; DT10x - treated daily with itraconazole at a dose of 100 mg.kg-1 orally, and 0.5 mg of β (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly. The rats were treated before (14 days) and during the mating period (up to 21 days), pregnancy (21 days) and lactation (21 days).[...]

Effects of the association of beta-glucan and itraconazole on fertility of male Wistar rats / Efeitos da associação de beta-glucana e itraconazol sobre a fertilidade de ratos Wistar machos

Background: In recent years, the number of patients with systemic fungal infections requiring antifungal therapy has increased. As a consequence, antimicrobial resistance to conventional treatment is frequently reported. Due to this reason, new therapies emerge, including the combination of beta (1-3) glucan and itraconazole. However, the reproductive and fertility effects of this association were not known. So, the aim of this study was to identify the effects of the combination of itraconazole and beta (1-3) glucan, extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on male rats fertility. Materials, Methods & Results: Sixty male Wistar rats with 120-days-old were used. The experimental protocol was approved by Ethics Committee on Animal Use of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (protocol CEUA/UFRGS no. 19452/2010). The animals were placed into six groups (n = 10 animals / group) as following: Negative Control group - treated daily with the volume corresponding to 10 mL.kg-1 of sterile distilled water orally and 0.25 mL of sterile normal saline (NaCl 0.9 %) subcutaneously weekly; Itraconazole (IT) group - treated daily with itraconazole solution at a dose of 10 mg.kg-1 orally and 0.25 mL of sterile 0.9% NaCl subcutaneously weekly; Beta group - treated daily with the volume corresponding to 10 mL. kg-1 of sterile distilled water orally and 0.5 mg of beta (1-3) glucan subcut

Nos últimos anos, observou-se aumento do número de pacientes com risco de infecções fúngicas sistêmicas, tais como portadores de HIV, distúrbios hematológicos graves ou imunossuprimidos, pacientes oncológicos e receptores de transplantes. Tais pacientes necessitam de antifúngicos tanto na forma terapêutica como preventiva. Em contrapartida a estes usos, tornaram-se frequentes os relatos de resistência aos fármacos mais utilizados, incluindo o itraconazol. Esta resistência é bastante relevante nos casos envolvendo o gênero Candida, e descrita com outros agentes, como Sporothrix schenckii e Aspergillus fumigatus, em humanos e animais. Nos casos de resistências aos antifúngicos tradicionais, novas alternativas terapêuticas foram buscadas; dentre essas, a associação de ß-glucana, estimulante do sistema imunológico, a antifúngicos tradicionais, mostram-se promissora. Contudo, não existem estudos sobre os efeitos dessa associação sobre o sistema reprodutivo. [...]

Efeitos da associação de beta-glucana e itraconazol sobre a fertilidade de ratos Wistar machos / Effects of the Association of Beta-glucan and Itraconazole on Fertility of Male Wistar Rats

Background: In recent years, the number of patients with systemic fungal infections requiring antifungal therapy has increased. As a consequence, antimicrobial resistance to conventional treatment is frequently reported. Due to this reason, new therapies emerge, including the combination of beta (1-3) glucan and itraconazole. However, the reproductive and fertility effects of this association were not known. So, the aim of this study was to identify the effects of the combination of itraconazole and beta (1-3) glucan, extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on male rats fertility. Materials, Methods & Results: Sixty male Wistar rats with 120-days-old were used. The experimental protocol was approved by Ethics Committee on Animal Use of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (protocol CEUA/UFRGS no. 19452/2010). The animals were placed into six groups (n = 10 animals / group) as following: Negative Control group - treated daily with the volume corresponding to 10 mL.kg-¹ of sterile distilled water orally and 0.25 mL of sterile normal saline (NaCl 0.9 %) subcutaneously weekly; Itraconazole (IT) group - treated daily with itraconazole solution at a dose of 10 mg.kg-¹ orally and 0.25 mL of sterile 0.9% NaCl subcutaneously weekly; Beta group - treated daily with the volume corresponding to 10 mL.kg-¹ of sterile distilled water orally and 0.5 mg of beta (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly; Therapeutic Dose (TD) group - daily treated with itraconazole at a dose of 10 mg.kg-¹ orally and 0.5 mg of ß (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly; TD5x - treated daily with itraconazole at a dose of 50 mg.kg-¹ orally and 0.5 mg of beta (1-3 ) glucan subcutaneously weekly; TD10x - daily treated with itraconazole at a dose of 100 mg.kg-¹ orally and 0.5 mg of beta (1-3) glucan subcutaneously weekly. The rats were treated for 91 consecutive days. Individual body mass, organs relative mass and histopathology, number of sperm in the cauda epididymis, daily spermatozoal production, sperm parameters, sperm morphology, serum testosterone concentration and reproductive rates were evaluated. Significant differences were observed in daily spermatozoal production, sperm morphology, serum concentration of testosterone, mating rate and birth rate, with lower results in the TD5x and TD10x groups. Discussion: The systemic toxicity indicators, as body mass variation, water intake and clinical signs, as well as organ histology suggest that systemic toxicity in these animals did not occur. The decrease in serum testosterone concentrations in elevated doses of itraconazole associated with beta (1-3) glucan must be involved in decrease of sperm parameters and in sexual behavior and consequently, in the reproductive rates. Changes in sperm morphology, mainly found in sperm head, indicate sperm immaturity, preamature spermiation, abnormal or degenerate acrosome. Based on these results, it is concluded that beta (1-3) glucan and itraconazole did not affect the male rats reproductive variables when used in therapeutic doses alone or in combination, however these variables were altered with higher doses of itraconazole in the association. These data, added to the absence of histopathological damage of the testes suggest functional effect on male fertility. Caution is advised in the use of high doses of itraconazole with or without beta (1-3) glucan in males, especially in prolonged therapy.

"Determinação da exigência de vitamina E para o dourado Salminus brasiliensis (Cuvier, 1816) e a avaliação do seu efeito imunomodulador"

Agentes estressores em piscicultura intensiva afetam a condição fisiológica e o sistema imune dos peixes aumentando a susceptibilidade a infecções e causando prejuízos econômicos. Para contornar este problema, o uso de nutrientes moduladores do sistema imunológico na dieta, como o tocoferol, se tornam estratégia profilática para as pisciculturas assegurarem uma maior sobrevivência e consequente produtividade. O presente estudo visou avaliar a exigência nutricional do dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, por meio de um ensaio dose-resposta e aferir seu efeito imunomodulador. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com sete tratamentos/dietas semi purificadas elaboradas com doses crescentes de vitamina E (0; 50; 100; 150; 200, 250 e 3500 mg kg-1-tocoferol acetato) (n=4). Quinze juvenis de dourado foram alojados em caixas de polipropileno, em sistema de recirculação fechado com filtragem mecânica e biológica, trocador de calor com termostato e aeração forçada através de sopradores e pedras difusoras. Após serem alimentados por 30 dias com a dieta basal para depleção de vitamina E nas reservas corporais de vitamina, os animais foram pesados (20,04 ± 0,09 g), redistribuídos em 28 tanques (500 L; 15 peixes por tanque) e alimentados durante 78 dias até saciedade aparente (duas refeições diárias: 08h00m e 17h00m). Os peixes apresentaram diferença no ganho de peso, porém não de maneira dependente do tratamento de vitamina E. Após o período de alimentação os peixes foram desafiados com a bactéria Aeromonas hydrophila. Os parâmetros imunológicos foram aferidos antes e após o desafio e não houveram diferenças significativas para: atividade respiratória dos leucócitos, atividade da lisozima sérica, proteína e albumina total no soro e sobrevivência. Houve aumento da concentração das globulinas totais no soro após infecção em função do nível de vitamina E na dieta, e a dose ótima foi definida por meio da regressão segmentada: 151,07 mg kg-1 de vitamina E na ração. A exigência de vitamina E para o dourado foi determinada em 58,90 mg kg-1 pelas substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbiturico da fração mitocondrial do fígado por análise de regressão segmentada.

Stressors in intensive fish farming affect fish physiological conditions and immune system, promoting susceptibility to infections and causing economic losses. To overcome this issue, using immunomodulatory nutrients such as tocopherol on fish feeds may become a prophylactic strategy to fish farms to ensure a higher survival and productivity. The present study aimed at determining vitamin E requirement of dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, through a dose dependent trial and how the immune system responded to vitamin E crescent doses. The experiment design was randomly distributed in seven treatments (n=4) of semi purified diets (0; 50; 100; 150; 200; 250 and 3,500 mg kg-1). After exposing the fish during 30 days for tocopherol depletion, fifteen dourado juveniles (20.04 ± 0.09 g) were stocked in 500 L tanks in a closed loop system and fed twice a day until apparent satiation. Differences in weight gain were observed however not in a vitamin E dose dependent way. After feeding for 78 days fish were challenged with intraperitoneal bacterial infection (Aeromonas hydrophila). Immunological parameters were measured before and after infection and no significant differences were observed in: blood leukocyte burst respiratory activity, serum lysozyme activity, serum protein and albumin, and survival. However a higher total serum globulin was detected after infection and the best response determined through a broken-line regression was 151.07 mg kg-1 of vitamin E on fish feed. Dietary requirement of vitamin E was determined by broken-line regression from thiobarbituric reactive substances of liver mithocondrial fraction to be 58.90 mg/kg of -tocopherol acetate.

Beta-glucana from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: constitution, bioactivity and obtaining / Beta-glucana de Saccharomyces cerevisiae: constituição, bioatividade e obtenção

b-glucans are polysaccharides that constitute the structure of the cell wall of yeast, fungi and some cereals, which differs each other by the linkages between glucose units. An important source of these polymers is the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall, which is a yeast widely used in industrial processes of fermentation. The b-glucan is considered to be a modifier of biological response due to its immunomodulator potential. When it is recognized by specific cellular receptors, have the ability to enhance the host’s immune response. Other beneficial effects such as anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, hypocholesterolemic and blood sugar reduction have also been related to the b-glucan. The aim of this literature review was expand scientific knowledge about the constitution and bioactivity of b-glucan, including its recognition by the immune system, as well as its obtaining from S. cerevisiae cell wall.

b-glucanas são polissacarídeos constituintes estruturais da parede celular de leveduras, fungos e alguns cereais, que se diferenciam pelo tipo de ligação presente entre as unidades de glicose. Uma importante fonte destes polissacarídeos é a parede celular de Saccharomyces cerevisiae, uma levedura amplamente empregada em processos industriais de fermentação. A b-glucana é considerada um modificador da resposta biológica devido ao seu potencial imunomodulador, pois ao ser reconhecida por receptores celulares específicos tem habilidade de realçar a resposta imune do hospedeiro. Outros efeitos benéficos como anticarcinogênico, antimutagênico, hipocolesterolêmico e hipoglicêmico também têm sido relacionados à b-glucana Esta revisão de literatura teve por objetivo agregar conhecimentos científicos sobre a constituição e bioatividade da b glucana, incluindo seu reconhecimento pelo sistema imune, bem como, a obtenção a partir da parede celular de S. cerevisiae.

Beta-glucana from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: constitution, bioactivity and obtaining / Beta-glucana de Saccharomyces cerevisiae: constituição, bioatividade e obtenção

b-glucans are polysaccharides that constitute the structure of the cell wall of yeast, fungi and some cereals, which differs each other by the linkages between glucose units. An important source of these polymers is the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall, which is a yeast widely used in industrial processes of fermentation. The b-glucan is considered to be a modifier of biological response due to its immunomodulator potential. When it is recognized by specific cellular receptors, have the ability to enhance the hosts immune response. Other beneficial effects such as anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, hypocholesterolemic and blood sugar reduction have also been related to the b-glucan. The aim of this literature review was expand scientific knowledge about the constitution and bioactivity of b-glucan, including its recognition by the immune system, as well as its obtaining from S. cerevisiae cell wall.

b-glucanas são polissacarídeos constituintes estruturais da parede celular de leveduras, fungos e alguns cereais, que se diferenciam pelo tipo de ligação presente entre as unidades de glicose. Uma importante fonte destes polissacarídeos é a parede celular de Saccharomyces cerevisiae, uma levedura amplamente empregada em processos industriais de fermentação. A b-glucana é considerada um modificador da resposta biológica devido ao seu potencial imunomodulador, pois ao ser reconhecida por receptores celulares específicos tem habilidade de realçar a resposta imune do hospedeiro. Outros efeitos benéficos como anticarcinogênico, antimutagênico, hipocolesterolêmico e hipoglicêmico também têm sido relacionados à b-glucana Esta revisão de literatura teve por objetivo agregar conhecimentos científicos sobre a constituição e bioatividade da b glucana, incluindo seu reconhecimento pelo sistema imune, bem como, a obtenção a partir da parede celular de S. cerevisiae.

Effects of the association of beta-glucan and itraconazole on fertility of male Wistar rats / Efeitos da associação de beta-glucana e itraconazol sobre a fertilidade de ratos Wistar machos

Background: In recent years, the number of patients with systemic fungal infections requiring antifungal therapy has increased. As a consequence, antimicrobial resistance to conventional treatment is frequently reported. Due to this reason, new therapies emerge, including the combination of beta (1-3) glucan and itraconazole. However, the reproductive and fertility effects of this association were not known. So, the aim of this study was to identify the effects of the combination of itraconazole and beta (1-3) glucan, extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on male rats fertility. Materials, Methods & Results: Sixty male Wistar rats with 120-days-old were used. The experimental protocol was approved by Ethics Committee on Animal Use of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (protocol CEUA/UFRGS no. 19452/2010). The animals were placed into six groups (n = 10 animals / group) as following: Negative Control group - treated daily with the volume corresponding to 10 mL.kg-1 of sterile distilled water orally and 0.25 mL of sterile normal saline (NaCl 0.9 %) subcutaneously weekly; Itraconazole (IT) group - treated daily with itraconazole solution at a dose of 10 mg.kg-1 orally and 0.25 mL of sterile 0.9% NaCl subcutaneously weekly; Beta group - treated daily with the volume corresponding to 10 mL. kg-1 of sterile distilled water orally and 0.5 mg of beta (1-3) glucan subcut

Nos últimos anos, observou-se aumento do número de pacientes com risco de infecções fúngicas sistêmicas, tais como portadores de HIV, distúrbios hematológicos graves ou imunossuprimidos, pacientes oncológicos e receptores de transplantes. Tais pacientes necessitam de antifúngicos tanto na forma terapêutica como preventiva. Em contrapartida a estes usos, tornaram-se frequentes os relatos de resistência aos fármacos mais utilizados, incluindo o itraconazol. Esta resistência é bastante relevante nos casos envolvendo o gênero Candida, e descrita com outros agentes, como Sporothrix schenckii e Aspergillus fumigatus, em humanos e animais. Nos casos de resistências aos antifúngicos tradicionais, novas alternativas terapêuticas foram buscadas; dentre essas, a associação de ß-glucana, estimulante do sistema imunológico, a antifúngicos tradicionais, mostram-se promissora. Contudo, não existem estudos sobre os efeitos dessa associação sobre o sistema reprodutivo. [...]