Photobiomodulation and bacterial cellulose membrane in the treatment of third-degree burns in rats.

Burns are injuries caused mainly by thermal trauma, which can progress to unsatisfactory results healing. This study aimed to evaluate the biomaterial (bacterial cellulose membrane) and photobiomodulation, exclusively and associated, in the treatment of third degree burns in rats. Forty male Wistar rats (±280 g) were randomly divided into four groups, with 10 animals each: control group (CG); bacterial cellulose membrane group (MG); laser group (LG) and bacterial cellulose membrane and laser group (MG + L). The burn was caused with a 1 cm2 aluminum plate heated to 150 °C and pressed on the animal's back for 10 s. The treatments were started immediately after induction of injury. For to laser irradiation (660 nm, 100 mW, 25 J/cm2 and energy of 1 J) on five distinct application points were used, on alternate days, a total of five sessions. After ten days of treatment the animals were euthanized for collected samples. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (P < 0.05) were used. Histological analysis revealed differences regarding the healing process phase in each experimental group. MG showed the proliferative phase. The LG demonstrated greater amount of blood vessels and immune expression of VEGF. However, when the treatments were combined, the number of vessels and the immune expression of VEGF factor was lower than LG. Thus, it was concluded that both treatments proposed (biomaterial and LLLT) are good alternatives for third degree burns when applied isolated because they stimulate the healing process by acting on the modulation of the inflammatory phase and promote stimulation of angiogenesis.

Bioactive secondary metabolites from Phomopsis sp., an endophytic fungus from Senna spectabilis.

Chemical investigation of an acetonitrile fraction from the endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. led to the isolation of the new natural product 2-hydroxy-alternariol (7) together with the known compounds cytochalasins J (1) and H (2), 5'-epialtenuene (3) and the mycotoxins alternariol monomethyl ether (AME, 4), alternariol (AOH, 5) and cytosporone C (6). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by using 1-D and 2-D NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and high resolution mass spectrometry. The cytochalasins J (1) and H (2) and AOH (5) exhibited potent inhibition of the total ROS (reactive oxygen species) produced by stimulated human neutrophils and acted as potent potential anti-inflammatory agents. Moreover, cytochalasin H (2) demonstrated antifungal and acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibition in vitro.

Bacterial cellulose membrane used as biological dressings on third-degree burns in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Burn injuries represent a high risk of morbidity and mortality. The wound healing process is complex and requires the participation of different types of cells. Therefore, new biomaterials, which innovate the wound healing process, are being investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the use of bacterial cellulose both in its pure state and enriched with lidocaine in full-thickness burns in rats. METHODS: Thirty rats (Wistar) (260 ± 20 gramas) divided into control group (CG), bacterial cellulose membrane group (MG) and bacterial cellulose membrane enriched with lidocaine group (MLG) were used. The burns were induced using a 150°C heated soldering iron, held on the animal neck for 10 seconds. The biomaterial was applied immediately after injury and skin samples were collected on the tenth day of the treatment. The level of significance of p⩽0.05 was used for the conclusion of the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The groups treated with the biomaterials, a histological pattern compatible with a more advanced repair stage showing skin appendages, mild inflammatory infiltrate, better collagen fiber organization and mild immunostaining COX-2 and MMP-9 was observed, when compared to the control group that did not receive any type of treatment. CONCLUSION: Thus, was concluded that the bacterial cellulose-based biomaterial both in its pure state and enriched with lidocaine optimizing the full-thickness burn wound healing in rats.

Cadinane sesquiterpenoids of Phomopsis cassiae, an endophytic fungus associated with Cassia spectabilis (Leguminosae).

Five cadinane sesquiterpenes derivatives were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation from Phomopis cassiae, an endophytic fungus isolated from Cassia spectabilis. The structures of the two diastereoisomeric 3,9,12-trihydroxycalamenenes (1, 2); 3,12-dihydroxycalamenene (3); 3,12-dihydroxycadalene (4) and 3,11,12-trihydroxycadalene (5) were established on the basis of analyses of 1D and 2D NMR and HRTOFMS experiments. Antifungal activity of the isolates was evaluated against Cladosporium sphaerospermum and Cladosporium cladosporioides, revealing 5 as the most active compound.

Experimental study of the neurotoxic effects of photodynamic therapy on the spinal cord / Estudo experimental dos efeitos neurotóxicos da terapia fotodinâmica na medula espinhal / Estudio experimental de los efectos neurotóxicos de la terapia fotodinámica en la médula espinal

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the dura mater using the photosensitizers aluminum chloride phthalocyanine and methylene blue in in vivo assays. Methods Fifty-six male Wistar rats were divided into two groups; one submitted to PDT and the other submitted to the photosensitizers without their photoactivation (control). The photosensitizers were applied to the dura mater after laminectomy at the T10 level. The methods used for assessment were the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) functional evaluation scale and study of the dura mater by light microscopy. Results No changes in motor activity were observed in the animals submitted to PDT compared to control. Histological and pathological evaluation did not show any differences between the group exposed to activated photosensitizers and the control group with regard to the inflammatory process and tissue necrosis. Conclusion The joint use of PDT with the photosensitizing pharmaceuticals aluminum chloride phthalocyanine and methylene blue did not induce any clinical neurotoxic effects or histological changes in the dura mater of the animals studied. Level de evidence V; Expert Opnion.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar os efeitos da terapia fotodinâmica (PDT) na dura-máter usando os fotossensibilizadores cloreto de alumínio ftalocianina e azul de metileno em ensaios in vivo. Métodos Cinquenta e seis ratos Wistar machos divididos em dois grupos; um submetido à PDT e o outro submetido aos fotossensibilizadores sem a fotoativação (controle). Os fotossensibilizadores foram aplicados sobre a dura-máter depois de laminectomia no nível T10. Os métodos de avaliação usados foram a escala de avaliação funcional de Basso, Beattie e Bresnahan (BBB) e o estudo da dura-máter por microscopia óptica. Resultados Não foram observadas alterações da atividade motora dos animais submetidos à PDT com relação ao grupo controle. A avaliação histológica e histopatológica não mostrou diferenças entre o grupo exposto aos fotossensibilizadores ativados e o grupo controle, com relação ao processo inflamatório e à necrose tecidual. Conclusões O uso conjunto de PDT e os fármacos fotossensibilizantes cloreto de alumínio ftalocianina e azul de metileno não induziu efeitos neurotóxicos clínicos e/ou alterações histológicas sobre a dura-máter dos animais estudados. Nível de evidência V; Opinião de Especialista.

RESUMEN Objetivo Evaluar los efectos de la terapia fotodinámica (PDT) en la duramadre utilizando los fotosensibilizadores de ftalocianina de aluminio clorada y azul de metileno en ensayos in vivo. Métodos Cincuenta y seis ratas Wistar machos se dividieron en 2 grupos; uno fue sometido a PDT y el otro sometido a fotosensibilizadores sin fotoactivación (control). Los fotosensibilizadores se aplicaron a la duramadre después de la laminectomía en el nivel T10. Los métodos de evaluación utilizados fueron la escala de evaluación funcional de Basso, Beattie y Bresnahan (BBB) y el estudio de la duramadre mediante microscopía óptica. Resultados No hubo cambios en la actividad motora de los animales sometidos a PDT en relación con el grupo de control. La evaluación histológica e histopatológica no mostró diferencias entre el grupo expuesto a fotosensibilizadores activados y el grupo de control con respecto al proceso inflamatorio y la necrosis tisular. Conclusiones El uso conjunto de PDT con las sustancias fotosensibilizadores ftalocianina de aluminio clorada y azul de metileno no indujo efectos neurotóxicos clínicos o cambios histológicos en la duramadre de los animales estudiados. Nivel de evidencia V; Opinión del Especialista.