Use of Cold Atmospheric Plasma in the Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma: in vitro Effects and Clinical Application in Feline Tumors: A Pilot Study.

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has shown promising results against squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in both in vivo and in vitro assays, mainly in humans and mice. Its applicability for treatment of feline tumors, however, remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer effects of CAP on a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lineage and against a clinical case of cutaneous SCC in a cat. Control and treatment groups employing the HNSCC cell line (SCC-25) were used, the latter exposed to CAP for 60 seconds, 90 seconds, or 120 seconds. The cells were subjected to the MTT assay nitric oxidation assay and thermographic in vitro analyses. The clinical application was performed in one cat with cutaneous SCC (3 sites). The lesions were treated and evaluated by thermographic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations (caspase-3 and TNF-alpha). Treatment of the SCC-25 cells for 90 seconds and 120 seconds resulted in a significant nitrite concentration increase. Decreased cell viability was observed after 24 hours and 48 hours, regardless of exposure time. However, the cell viability reduction observed at 72 hours was significant only in the 120 seconds treatment. In vitro, the temperature decreased for all treatment times, while the plasma induced a slight increase in mean temperature (0.7°C) in the in vivo assay. Two of the 3 clinical tumors responded to the treatment: one with a complete response and the other, partial, while the third (lower lip SCC) remained stable. Both remaining tumors displayed apoptotic areas and increased expression of caspase-3 and TNF-alpha. Adverse effects were mild and limited to erythema and crusting. The CAP exhibited an in vitro anticancer effect on the HNSCC cell line, demonstrated by a dose-dependent cell viability reduction. In vivo, the therapy appears safe and effective against feline cutaneous SCC. The treatment did not result in a clinical response for 1 of 3 lesions (proliferative lower lip tumor), however, a biological effect was still demonstrated by the higher expression of apoptosis indicators.

S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide mitigates histopathological damage, alleviate oxidative stress and promotes immunomodulation in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCS) is a hydrophilic cysteine-containing natural compound found in plants and is known to possess antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. We investigated the antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of SMCS, as well as histopathological changes in the liver and pancreas in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into the following groups: control (CG), comprising non-diabetic rats; STZ-DB, comprising STZ-induced diabetic rats; and STZ-SMCS, comprising STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with SMCS. SMCS (200 mg/kg) was administered by gavage daily for 30 days. Biochemical and cytokine analyses, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities assays and histopathological analysis of liver and pancreas tissues were performed. RESULTS: SMCS treatment reduced glycemia (p<0.05), decreased triglyceride (p<0.01) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels (p<0.01), and increased SOD and CAT activity in the liver (both p<0.01) compared with STZ-DB group. Higher activity values of IL-10 were observed in the STZ-SMCS group than in the other groups (p<0.001). Liver glycogen was significantly improved in the STZ-SMCS group compared with the STZ-DB group. SMCS also ameliorated damage to pancreatic islets, which resulted in restoration of their morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Oral treatment of SMCS showed improvement of the morphological alterations in liver and pancreatic islet in diabetic rats. These beneficial morphological effects of SMCS can be partially explained by IL-10 modulation associated with antioxidant action.

Seasonal evaluation of spermatogenesis of the hematophagous bat Desmodus rotundus in the Caatinga biome.

This study was aimed to characterize the spermatogenic process and its seasonal variation in Desmodus rotundus, in the Caatinga biome, a water-limited ecosystem, with marked water restriction during most of the year. Collections of adult animals were performed during the dry and rainy seasons, and after euthanasia, their testes were processed histologically to perform morphological, morphometric, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyzes. The percentage of seminiferous epithelium, number of Leydig cells per gram of testis, and population of Sertoli cells and A-type spermatogonia presented by D. rotundus were significantly higher in the rainy season, while the percentage of lumen, mitotic index, support capacity performed by Sertoli cells, and overall yield of spermatogenesis were higher in the dry season. The ultrastructure of spermatogenesis was similar to that described in other mammals, and the immunohistochemical analysis revealed activity of the aromatase enzyme in Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, spermatocytes and spermatids, as well as the presence of androgen receptors in Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. FGF2 activity was detected in primary spermatocytes in zygotene and pachytene, as well as secondary spermatocytes and rounded and elongated spermatids, while the BCL-2 protein was expressed in primary spermatocytes in zygotene and pachytene, secondary spermatocytes, and rounded spermatids. The activity of these molecules was similar in both seasons, and associated with the morphometric findings, indicates maintenance in the integrity of the seminiferous epithelium throughout the year. The seasonal study of D. rotundus spermatogenesis indicates a continuous spermatogenesis pattern and suggests a greater production of spermatozoa in the rainy season in the Caatinga biome.