Evaluation of Bacillus subtilis as a Tool for Biodegrading Diesel Oil and Gasoline in Experimentally Contaminated Water and Soil.

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are toxic petroleum hydrocarbons pollutants that can affect the central nervous system and even cause cancer. For that reason, studies regarding BTEX degradation are extremely important. Our study aimed evaluate the microorganism Bacillus subtilis as a tool for degrading petroleum hydrocarbons pollutants. Assays were run utilizing water or soil distinctly contaminated with gasoline and diesel oil, with and without B. subtilis. The ability of B. subtilis to degrade hydrophobic compounds was analyzed by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography. The FTIR results indicated, for water assays, that B. subtilis utilized the gasoline and diesel oil to produce the biosurfactant, and, as a consequence, performed a biodegradation process. In the same way, for soil assay, B. subtilis biodegraded the diesel oil. The gas chromatography results indicated, for gasoline in soil assay, the B. subtilis removed BTEX. So, B. subtilis was capable of degrading BTEX, producing biosurfactant and it can also be used for other industrial applications. Bioremediation can be an efficient, economical, and versatile alternative for BTEX contamination.

Alginate-amphotericin B nanocomplexes covered by nanocrystals from bacterial cellulose: physico-chemical characterization and in vitro toxicity.

Nanocomplexes systems made up natural poylymers have pharmacotechnical advantages such as increase of water solubility and a decrease of drugs toxicity. Amphotericin B (AmB) is a drug apply as anti-leishmanial and anti-fungal, however it has low water solubility and high toxicity, limiting its therapeutic application. With this in mind, the present study aimed to produce nanocomplexes composed by alginate (Alg), a natural polymer, with AmB covered by nanocrystals from bacterial cellulose (CNC). For this reason, the nanocomplexes were produced utilizing sodium alginate, amphotericin B in a borate buffer (pH 11.0). The CNC was obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of the bacterial cellulose. To CNC cover the nanocomplexes 1 ml of the nanocomplexes was added into 1 ml of 0.01% CNC suspension. The results showed an ionic adsorption of the CNC into the Alg-AmB nanocomplexes surface. This phenomena was confirmed by an increase in the particle size and PDI decrease. Besides, nanocomplexes samples covered by CNC showed uniformity. The amorphous inclusion of AmB complex into the polysaccharide chain network in both formulations. AmB in the nanocomplexes was in supper-aggregated form and showed good biocompatibility, being significantly less cytotoxic in vitro against kidney cells and significantly less hemolytic compared to the free-drug. The in vitro toxicity results indicated the Alg-AmB nanocomplexes can be considered a non-toxic alternative to improve the AmB therapeutic effect. All process to obtain nanocomplexes and it coat was conduce without organic solvents, can be considered a green process, and allowed to obtain water soluble particles. Furthermore, CNC covering the nanocomplexes brought additional protection to the system can contribut advancement in the pharmaceutical.

Schistosoma mansoni granulomas in the skeletal striated muscles in the murine model of neuroschistosomiasis: histological findings.

Schistosomiasis mansoni presents many clinical manifestations during migration of schistosomes in their hosts, including diarrhea, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, liver abscesses, skinlesions, brain tumors and myeloradiculopathy. No lesions have been reported in skeletal striated muscles due to schistosomiasis mansoni in the literature. This short communication reports the histopathological findings on skeletal musculature in a murine model of neuroeschistosomiasis mansoni. Lesions were found in the tongue, masseter muscle, buccinator muscle, digastric muscle and temporalis muscle. Worm recovery was carried out to confirm the infection. We describe here, for the first time in the literature, injuries in the skeletal musculature due to Schistosoma mansoni nfection.

Schistosoma mansoni granulomas in the skeletal striated muscles in the murine model of neuroschistosomiasis: histological findings

Schistosomiasis mansoni presents many clinical manifestations during migration of schistosomes in their hosts, including diarrhea, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, liver abscesses, skinlesions, brain tumors and myeloradiculopathy. No lesions have been reported in skeletal striated muscles due to schistosomiasis mansoni in the literature. This short communication reports the histopathological findings on skeletal musculature in a murine model of neuroeschistosomiasis mansoni. Lesions were found in the tongue, masseter muscle, buccinator muscle, digastric muscle and temporalis muscle. Worm recovery was carried out to confirm the infection. We describe here, for the first time in the literature, injuries in the skeletal musculature due to Schistosoma mansoni nfection.

Characterisation of ocular involvement in an experimental model of neuroschistosomiasis mansoni

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 listed schistosomiasis among the leading 100 causes of death in Brazil, responsible for 3.6% of the estimated total of deaths globally. Eye and adnexa are very rarely affected by schistosomiasis mansoni, with limited documentation of ocular pathology in this setting. This short communication reports ocular histolopathological findings in a murine model of neuroschistosomiasis mansoni. Lesions were found in the bulbar conjunctiva, lacrimal gland, choroid and corneoscleral limbus.

Bacterial Nanocellulose Loaded with Bromelain: Assessment of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Physical-Chemical Properties.

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has desirable properties for wound healing such as high purity, good shape retention, and high water binding capacity. Bromelain is a protease found in pineapple tissues and has been applied in several fields, it has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, promotes cell apoptosis, amongst others. In this work, a BNC based device for the controlled release of bromelain was developed. BNC were submersed in sterilized bromelain solution and incubated at 25 °C under 100 rpm for 24 h. Physical-chemical properties, protein concentration, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were measured. Results demonstrate that BNC could improve bromelain antimicrobial activity 9 times. Those findings allow concluding that bromelain is a promising molecule to be incorporated into BNC's. The BNC's characteristics seem to represent a new promising delivery system of the loaded biomolecule, and protected from external actions.

A novel approach in mucoadhesive drug delivery system to improve zidovudine intestinal permeability

ABSTRACT Zidovudine (AZT) mucoadhesive solid dispersions (SD) were prepared using a sodium starch glycolate (SSG) and hypromellose phthalate (HPMCP) mixtures as carrier to enhance the intestinal permeability and bioavailability of zidovudine. SDs were prepared using the co-precipitation method followed by solvent evaporation and characterized according to their physicochemical properties such as particle size, crystallinity, thermal behavior, and liquid uptake ability. In vitro drug dissolution, mucoadhesiveness and AZT intestinal permeability were also determined. Thermal behavior and X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrated the amorphous state of AZT in SD systems. The HPMCP polymer restricted the liquid uptake ability in the acid medium; however, this property significantly increased with higher pH values. SDs allowed drug dissolution to occur in a controlled manner. HPMCP decreased the dissolution rates in the acid medium. The mucoadhesiveness of SDs was demonstrated and the permeability of AZT carried in solid dispersions was significantly improved. The effect of the SD carrier polymers on blocking efflux pump can be an important approach to improve the bioavailability of AZT.

A novel dosage form for buccal administration of bupropion

Bupropion is an antidepressant used in the treatment of smoking. The purpose of this study was to prepare controlled-release hydrogel films for buccal administration of bupropion and investigate its physicochemical and cytotoxic properties. The films were prepared from ultrapure sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M, and medium-viscosity chitosan. Evaluation of film physicochemical characteristics was based on scanning electron microscopy, bupropion content, mechanical strength (burst strength, relaxation, resilience, and traction), and cytotoxicity. Bupropion content in bilayer films was 121 mg per 9 cm2. The presence of bupropion modified film mechanical strength, but did not compromise the use of this pharmaceutical form. As shown by the cytotoxicity results, films containing bupropion did not cause cellular damage. Bupropion administration in the form of hydrogel films is a potentially useful alternative in the treatment of smoking.

A bupropiona é um antidepressivo utilizado no tratamento do tabagismo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a preparação de filmes hidrogelatinosos de liberação controlada para administração bucal de bupropiona. Os filmes foram preparados utilizando carboximetilcelulose sódica ultrapurificada, hidroxipropilmetilcelulose K4M e quitosana de média viscosidade. As características físico-químicas dos filmes foram avaliadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, teor de bupropiona, resistência mecânica (perfuração, relaxação, resiliência e tração) e citotoxicidade. Os resultados mostraram que os filmes em bicamada apresentaram teor de bupropiona de 121 mg por 9 cm2 de filme e que a bupropiona modifica a resistência mecânica dos filmes, sem, no entanto, inviabilizar o uso desta forma farmacêutica. Os estudos de citotoxicidade mostraram que as formulações dos filmes contendo bupropiona não causam dano celular. Este estudo mostrou que a bupropiona veiculada na forma de filme hidrogelatinoso pode ser uma alternativa útil no tratamento do tabagismo.

In vitro evaluation of permeation, toxicity and effect of praziquantel-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles against Schistosoma mansoni as a strategy to improve efficacy of the schistosomiasis treatment.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are a promising drug delivery system for oral administration of poorly-water soluble drugs because of their capacity to increase the solubility of drug molecules when loaded in their lipid matrices, with the resulting improvement of the drug bioavailability. In the present work, we have developed praziquantel (PZQ)-loaded SLN and explored the biological applications of this system for intestinal permeation of PZQ. The effect in vitro on Schistosoma mansoni culture and the cytotoxicity in HepG2 line cell were also evaluated. The results showed a significant decrease in the intestinal absorption of PZQ loaded in SLN compared to free PZQ, suggesting that the SLN matrix could act as reservoir system. In culture of S. mansoni, we observed that PZQ-loaded SLN were more effective than free PZQ, leading the death of the parasites in less time. The result was proportional to doses of PZQ (25 and 50 µg mL⁻¹) and lipid concentration. Regarding cytotoxicity, the encapsulation of PZQ into SLN decreased the toxicity in HepG2 cells in comparison to the free PZQ. From the obtained results, PZQ-loaded SLN could be a new drug delivery system for the schistosomiasis treatment especially in marginalized communities, improving the therapeutic efficacy and reducing the toxic effects of PZQ.

Estudo de propriedades físico-químicas envolvidas no processo de compactação de uma formulação experimental contendo zidovudina / Study of physical-chemical properties involved in the compaction process of an experimental formulation containing zidovudine

Estudo das propriedades físico-químicas envolvidos no processo de compactação de uma formulação experimental contendo como fármaco modelo a zidovudina. O objetivo foi caracterizar o comportamento físico-químico de comprimidos produzidos por compressão direta usando-se diferentes pressões de compactação. Nas análises foram empregadas metodologias convencionais e não convencionais. A metodologia não convencional foi o uso da técnica da atenuação de raios-gama na determinação da porosidade. As metodologias convencionais utilizadas foram os testes de friabilidade, dureza e dissolução. Os modelos teóricos utilizados para explicar o comportamento físico-químico da formulação sob compressão são os proposto por Heckel e Walker. Os estudos mostraram que o processo de densificação é governado principalmente por deformações do tipo plásticas e pressões em torno de 246MPa são suficientes para induzir deformação plástica e consolidação do sistema compactado. Os resultados da análise de Walker indicam que a formulação tem propriedades de compressão que podem ser melhoradas.

This paper presents a study of the physical-chemical properties involved in powder compaction of an experimental formulation containing as model drug the zidovudine. The aim of this work was to characterize the physical-chemical behavior of experimental tablets produced by direct compression applying different strengths. In these analyses were employed conventional and non-conventional methodologies. The non-convectional methodology was the use of gamma-ray attenuation technique for tablet porosity determination. The conventional methodologies used were the tests of hardness, friability and dissolution. The theoretical models used to explain the physical-chemical behavior of the formulation under compression were those proposed by Heckel and Walker. These tests showing that the densification process is to take mainly by plastic deformation and pressures about 246 MPa are enough to produce robust tablets. Results obtained from the analysis of the Walker equation, indicate that the formulation has compression properties that could be improved.

Solid dispersions with hydrogenated castor oil increase solubility, dissolution rate and intestinal absorption of praziquantel / Dispersões sólidas com aumento de solubilidade de hidrogenado do óleo de mamona, taxa de dissolução e absorção intestinal de praziquantel

The solubility behavior of drugs remains one of the most challenging aspects in formulation development. Solid Dispersion (SD) has tremendous potential for improving drug solubility. Although praziquantel (PZQ) is the first drug of choice in the treatment of schistosomiasis, its poor solubility has restricted its delivery oral route. In spite of its poor solubility, PZQ is well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, but large doses are required to achieve adequate concentration at the target sites. The aim of this study was to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of PZQ and to evaluate its intestinal absorption. SDs were formulated with PEG-60 castor oil hydrogenated (CR-60) using a fusion and evaporation method. Pure PZQ and physical mixtures (PM) and PZQ-CR-60 (2:1; 1:1; 1:2 ratios) were compared as regards their solubility, dissolution and intestinal absorption. The experimental results demonstrated the improvement in the solubility, dissolution rate and intestinal absorption. In addition, the solubility behavior showed pH dependency and that the solubility of PZQ was slower in acidic medium than in neutral and basic mediums. The increase in PZQ solubility of the SD with the CR-60 could be attributed to several factors such as improved wettability, local solubilization, drug particle size reduction and crystalline or, interstitial solid solution reduction.

A solubilidade de fármacos ainda é um dos principais desafios no desenvolvimento de formulações farmacêuticas. As dispersões sólidas (DS) apresentam grande potencial para melhorar a solubilidade de fármacos. O praziquantel é o fármaco de primeira escolha no tratamento da esquistossomose, contudo a baixa solubilidade em água restringe seu uso à administração pela via oral. Apesar da baixa solubilidade, o PZQ é bem absorvido através do trato gastrintestinal, mas doses orais elevadas são requeridas para garantir concentrações suficientes de fármaco para o tecido alvo. O objetivo deste estudo foi melhorar a solubilidade, a dissolução e avaliar a absorção do PZQ. As DS foram formuladas com óleo de castor hidrogenado - PEG 60 (CR-60), pelo uso dos métodos de fusão e evaporação do solvente. PZQ puro, mistura física (MF) e DS de CR-60-PZQ (1:2; 1:1; 2:1) foram comparados quanto à solubilidade, dissolução e absorção intestinal. Os resultados experimentais mostraram aumento na solubilidade, na taxa de dissolução e na absorção intestinal do PZQ nas DS. A solubilidade do PZQ foi maior em meio ácido, mostrando uma dependência do pH. O aumento na solubilidade do PZQ nas DS com CR-60 foi atribuída a fatores como aumento da molhabilidade, solubilização local, redução granulométrica e redução da cristalinidade ou, ainda, a ocorrência de uma solução sólida intersticial.

The problem of dose in homeopathy: evaluation of the effect of high dilutions of Arsenicum album 30cH on rats intoxicated with arsenic / O problema da dose em homeopatia: avaliação do efeito de altas diluições de Arsenicum album 30cH em ratos intoxicados com arsênico / El problema de la dosis en homeopatía: evaluación del efecto de altas diluciones de Arsenicum album 30cH en ratones intoxicados con arsénico

Background: Although scientific studies have confirmed the action of homeopathic high dilutions in living organisms an endless debate on the choice of the most fitting dilution, the frequency of administration and the dose (amount of medicine) still remains. Aims: This study sought to assess the in vivo effect of 2 different concentrations of Arsenicum album 30cH in order to elucidate some problems in the homeopathic notion of dose. Methods: Male Wistar rats previously intoxicated with sodium arsenate by peritoneal injection were treated with undiluted Ars 30cH and Ars 30cH in 1% solution administered by oral route. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was employed to measure the levels of arsenic retained in the animals as well as the amounts eliminated through urine. Urine samples were collected before and after and during treatment. A positive control group (intoxicated animals) and negative control group (non-intoxicated animals) were administered only the vehicle used to prepare the medicine (ethanol). Results: The groups treated with undiluted Ars 30cH and Ars 30cH in 1% solution eliminated significant amounts of arsenic through urine when compared to the control groups. The group treated with undiluted Ars 30cH eliminated significantly higher amounts of arsenic than the group treated with the same medicine in 1% solution. Conclusion: These results suggest that undiluted Ars 30cH was more effective than in 1% solution in this experimental model.

Introdução: embora estudos científicos têm confirmado a ação das altas diluições homeopáticas em organismos vivos, permanece o debate infindável acerca da escolha da diluição mais adequada, a frequência de administração e a dose (quantidade de medicamento). Objetivos: este estudo procurou avaliar o efeito in vitro de 2 concentrações diferentes de Arsenicum album 30cH a fim de elucidar alguns aspectos da noção homeopática de dose. Métodos: ratos Wistar machos previamente intoxicados com arseniato de sódio por injeção peritoneal foram tratados com Ars 30cH não diluído ou diluído 1% por via oral. Foi utilizada espectroscopia de absorção atômica para medir os níveis de arsênico retido no organismo e eliminado através da urina. As amostras de urina foram colhidas antes, após e durante o tratamento. Os grupos controle positivo (animais intoxicados) e negativo (animais não intoxicados) receberam apenas o veículo utilizado para preparar o medicamento (etanol). Resultados: os grupos tratados com Ars 30cH não diluído e diluído em solução 1% eliminaram quantidades significativamente maiores de arsênico através da urina por comparação aos grupos controle. O grupo tratado com Ars 30cH não diluído eliminou quantidades significativamente maiores de arsênico que o grupo tratado com o mesmo medicamento em solução 1%. Conclusão: esses resultados sugerem que Ars 30cH não diluído foi mais efetivo que a solução 1% do mesmo neste modelo experimental.

Introducción: aunque estudios científicos han confirmado la acción de las altas diluciones homeopáticas en organismos vivos, permanece sin resolver la discusión acerca de la elección de la dilución más adecuada, la frecuencia de administración y la dosis (cantidad de medicamento). Objetivos: este estudio buscó evaluar el efecto in vitro de 2 concentraciones diferentes de Arsenicum album 30cH para dirimir algunos problemas en la noción homeopática de dosis. Métodos: ratones Wistar macho previamente intoxicados con arseniato de sodio por inyección peritoneal fueron tratados con Ars 30cH sin diluir o diluido en solución 1% por vía oral. Fue utilizada espectroscopía de absorción atómica para medir los niveles de arsénico retenidos en el organismo y eliminados por orina. Las muestras de orina fueron recogidas antes, durante y después del tratamiento. Los grupos control positivo (animales intoxicados) y negativo (animales no intoxicados) recibieron exclusivamente el vehículo utilizado para preparar el medicamento (etanol). Resultados: los grupos tratados con Ars 30cH no diluido y diluido 1% eliminaron cantidades significativamente mayores de arsénico por orina que los controles. El grupo tratado con Ars 30cH no diluido eliminó cantidades significativamente mayores de arsénico por orina que el grupo tratado con el mismo medicamento diluido 1%. Conclusión: estos resultados sugieren que Ars 30cH no diluido fue más efectivo que cuando diluido 1% en este modelo experimental.

Evaluation of the effect of different concentrations of Arsenicum album 6cH on intoxicated rats / Avaliação do efeito de diferentes concentrações de Arsenicum album 6cH em ratos intoxicados

Aims: Homeopaths diverge on the concept of dose, i.e. the amount of drug that a patient must take to alter his or her state of disease. In order to stimulate reflections on this concept, this study sought to evaluate in vivo the effect of different concentrations of Arsenicum album 6cH prepared according to homeopathic pharmacotechnics. Methods: male Wistar rats were intoxicated with arsenic and then treated with Arsenicum album 6cH and Arsenicum album 6cH diluted at 1%, administered orally. The amount of arsenic retained in the animals’ organism and that eliminated by urine were measured through atomic absorption spectroscopy. Samples of urine were collected before and after intoxication and during treatment. The positive control group (intoxicated animals) and the negative control group (non-intoxicated animals) received only the vehicle used in the preparation of the medicine. Results: Groups treated with Arsenicum album 6cH and Arsenicum album 6cH diluted at 1% eliminated significant amounts of arsenic when compared to the control groups. The group treated with Arsenicum album 6cH eliminated significantly higher amounts of arsenic than the group treated with the diluted medicine at 1%. Conclusion: results suggest that Arsenicum album 6cH should not be diluted as not to compromise its effectiveness in the treatment of rats intoxicated with arsenic.

Objetivos: Há divergência entre os homeopatas a respeito do conceito de dose, entendida como a quantidade de medicamento que o paciente deve ingerir para modificar o estado de doença. Para estimular a reflexão sobre este tópico, o presente estudo procurou avaliar o efeito in vivo de diferentes concentrações de Arsenicum album 6cH preparado segundo a farmacotécnica homeopática. Métodos: ratos Wistar machos foram intoxicados com arsênico e após, medicados com Arsenicum album 6cH e o mesmo diluído a 1% por via oral. O arsênico retido no organismo dos animais assim como o eliminado através da urina foi quantificado através de espectroscopia de absorção atômica. Amostras de urina foram colhidas antes e após a intoxicação e durante o tratamento. O grupo controle positivo (animais intoxicados) e o grupo controle negativo (animais não intoxicados) receberam apenas o veículo utilizado no preparo do medicamento. Resultados: os grupos tratados com Arsenicum album 6cH e Arsenicum album 6cH 1% eliminaram quantidades significativas de arsênico por comparação com os grupos controle. O grupo tratado com Arsenicum album 6cH eliminou quantidades significativamente maiores de arsênico que o grupo tratado com o mesmo medicamento diluído a 1%. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que Arsenicum album 6cH não deve ser diluído a fim de não comprometer sua efetividade no tratamento de ratos intoxicados com arsênico.

Development of praziquantel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles and evaluation of intestinal permeation by the everted gut sac model.

Praziquantel has been shown to be highly effective against all known species of Schistosoma infecting humans. Spherical nanoparticles made of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) acid with controlled size were designed as drug carriers. Praziquantel, a hydrophobic drug, was entrapped into the polymeric nanoparticles with 30% (w/w) of theoretical loading. The nanoparticles size was approximately of 350 nm with 66% of encapsulation efficiency. The everted gut sac model shows to be efficient to evaluate the drug permeation through the intestinal membrane. The results show that free praziquantel presents 4-fold times more permeation than praziquantel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles and physical mixture. For this drug, in special, this result can be interesting, since the nanoparticulate system can behave as a drug reservoir and/or to have a more localized effect in intestinal membrane for a prolonged period of time, since great amounts of parasites can be usually found in the mesenteric veins.

Hemodynamic effects of a combination of bupropion and nicotine in anesthetized dogs.

Bupropion has been used to treat psychic depression and as a therapy for smoking cessation, the latter mainly in association with nicotine. However, there have been no detailed studies of the hemodynamic effects of the association of bupropion with nicotine during replacement therapy. In this study, we evaluated the effects of such an association on the cardiovascular parameters in anesthetized dogs. Bupropion, either alone or together with nicotine, had no significant effect on the cardiac index (CI; 4.7 +/- 0.2 vs 4.3 +/- 0.1 and 3.5 +/- 0.3 vs 3.4 +/- 0.3 L x min(-1) x m(2), respectively; mean +/- SEM) and mean arterial pressure (MAP; 134 +/- 5.0 vs 145 +/- 11.0 and 118 +/- 5.0 vs 133 +/- 10.5 mmHg, respectively). There was a slight but significant increase in the systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI; 2,165 +/- 93 vs 2,645 +/- 126 and 2,335 +/- 100 vs 2,737 +/- 200 dyn x cm(-5)m(-2), respectively). However, there was a significant increase in the mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP; 20 +/- 0.8 vs 25 +/- 1.6 and 18 +/- 1.3 vs 25 +/- 1.6 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.05) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (IRVP; 194 +/- 11 vs 272 +/- 21 and 206 +/- 32 vs 307 +/- 42 dyn x cm-5m(-2), respectively; p < 0.05). These results show that bupropion alone or in association with nicotine does not markedly affect most hemodynamic parameters of the systemic circulation, although the significant increase in MPAP and IRVP can elevate the pulmonary pressure.

Hemodynamic effects of bupropion in anesthetized dogs.

Bupropion is a non-nicotinic drug used in smoking cessation therapy. However, its acute effects remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of bupropion on hemodynamic parameters in pentobarbital-anesthetized mongrel dogs. Bupropion administered either in bolus injections (3 or 6 mg/kg, i.v.) or in cumulative doses of 0.01, 0.1, 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg showed, in both studies, a significant increase of mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance index. These results show that bupropion can elevate the pulmonary pressure. Further investigations should be done to test this effect in smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Influência das propriedades físicas e físico-químicas do quelato ferro-peptídeos na preparação de comprimidos por compactação direta / Influence of the physics and chemical property of the iron-peptide chelate in the preparation of tablets directly compacted

A deficiência de ferro é uma doença nutricional, cujo estágio mais avançado é a anemia ferropriva. Ambas, apresentam graves conseqüências individuais e coletivas, e alta prevalência em todo o mundo. O principal caminho, a curto prazo, para alteração neste quadro, é a intervenção medicamentosa, principalmente nas populações de maior risco e nas faixas etárias mais comprometidas. Os principais agentes terapêuticos utilizados no combate a esta doença são os sais ferrosos, administrados por via oral, os quais apresentam baixa biodisponibilidade e, na maioria das vezes, efeitos adversos graves. Este trabalho avaliou as características físicas e químicas, de um composto de ferro quelado com peptídeos, a fim de indicar a viabilidade do mesmo na obtenção de comprimidos preparados por compactação direta...