Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of the Indole-Derived N-Salicyloyltryptamine on Peritonitis and Joint Disability Induced by Carrageenan in Rodents.

Purpose: To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of N-salicyloyltryptamine (NST) in experimental models of carrageenan (Cg)-induced peritonitis in mice, and evaluation of the effects of NST on Cg-induced joint disability in rats. Methods: Female Swiss mice were submitted to Cg-induced peritonitis in mice or Cg-induced joint disability in rats after intraperitoneal injection of NST (100 or 200 mg/kg). Total leukocyte count, total protein concentration, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and catalase (CAT) activities, and nitrite (NO2 -) and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) levels were determined. Results: NST significantly decrease the migration of leukocytes to peritoneal exudate. Cg induces inflammatory responses mediated by expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results further showed that NST significantly decreased MPO and CAT activities, as well as reduced NO2 - and TBARS levels, compared with the vehicle group. Animals treated with NST significantly reduced paw elevation time (PET) on the first hour after induction of joint injury, and this effect was sustained throughout the analysis. Conclusion: NST presented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in experimental models of carrageenan-induced peritonitis and joint disability in mice and rats, respectively, which may be related to the modulation of neutrophils migration as well as the involvement of antioxidant mechanisms.

Effects of Lecythis pisonis Camb. (Lecythidaceae) in a mouse model of pruritus.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lecythis pisonis Camb. (Lecythidaceae), is popularly known as "Sapucaia". In traditional medicine, leaves are used for the treatment of pruritus. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study is aimed to investigate the antipruritic effect of the ethanol extract from leaves of Lecythis pisonis (LPEE), fractions (hexane-LPHF, ether-LPEF and ethyl acetate-LPEAF) and mixture of triterpenes [ursolic and oleanolic acids (MT)] in mice and rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The LPEE, LPHF, LPEF, LPEAF and MT were evaluated on scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 in mice. In addition, LPEE, LPEF and MT were investigated on rat peritoneal mast cells degranulation induced by compound 48/80 (ex vivo study). The anti-inflammatory activity of LPEE and LPEF was investigated in rats using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model. In the evaluation of the spontaneous motor activity, the LPEE was studied for its effect on spontaneous motor activity in an open-field test in mice. RESULTS: The scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 was significantly inhibited in mice pretreated with LPEE, LPHF, LPEF, LPEAF and MT. The suppressive effect of LPEE, LPEF and MT was only partially antagonized by naloxone. In addition, the compound 48/80-elicited degranulation of rat peritoneal mast cells was also markedly reduced in animals pretreated with LPEE, LPEF and MT. In the anti-inflammatory test, LPEE decreased the paw edema at the third hour after carrageenan (Carr) administration. Moreover, LPEF also was able to inhibit the oedematogenic response evoked by carr at all analysed time points. In the open-field test, LPEE-pretreated mice showed no impairment of spontaneous locomotion. Furthermore, the LPEE demonstrated no overt toxicity up to an oral dose of 2g/kg in an acute toxicity assay. CONCLUSIONS: These results clearly indicate the antipruritic effects of Lecythis pisonis leaves and suggest that this effect may be related to a stabilizing action on mast cell membrane. Furthermore, these data support the traditional use of this plant against cutaneous pruritus.

Pancreatic autoantibodies, HLA DR and PTPN22 polymorphisms in first degree relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes and multiethnic background.

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of pancreatic auto-antibodies (PAb) as well as its relationship with HLA DR B1 and PTPN22 polymorphisms in first degree relatives (FDR) of Brazilian patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and multiethnic background. METHODS: FDR of patients with T1D were interviewed and blood was sampled for PAb measurement, HLA DRB1 and PTPN22 genotyping. Genotyping was also performed in index cases. RESULTS: In FDR (n=78), 16.7% presented at least one PAb. These individuals had a higher prevalence of HLA DRB1* 03 than others (p=0.03), without differences in PTPN22 genotyping. While the genetic profile was similar in FDR with PAb and their index cases, those without PAb had a lower frequency of HLA DR B1 * 03 than their correspondent patients (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: In this multiethnic population, a significant proportion of FDR of T1D patients had PAb, which was associated with HLA DR B1 * 03 but not with the PTPN22 polymorphism.

Trichophyton species susceptibility to green and red propolis from Brazil.

AIMS: The in vitro antifungal activity of Brazilian green and red propolis was tested against different species of Trichophyton. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antifungal activity of the Brazilian aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the green propolis and the alcoholic extract of red propolis was observed against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton mentagrohytes samples, using as controls itraconazole and terbinafine. The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined following the microdilution method indicated by the 'Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute'. The minimal fungicide concentration was determined by the absence of growth in liquid sabouraud culture medium. The data obtained showed that the green propolis alcoholic extract's antifungal activity was from 64 to 1024 microg ml(-1), whereas the red propolis alcoholic extract was from 8 to 1024 microg ml(-1). CONCLUSIONS: The antifungal activity of the red propolis alcoholic extract was more efficient than the green propolis alcoholic extract for all three species studied. The T. rubrum samples were shown to be more sensitive to the antifungal activity of the alcoholic extracts of the propolis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The antifungal potential of the alcoholic extracts of green and red propolis demonstrated suggest an applicable potential as an alternative treatment for dermatophytosis caused by these species.

Prevencao e tratamento da contratura capsular. / Prevention and treatment of capsular contracture

Os autores fazem um estudo da prevencao e tratamento da contratura capsular pos-mamaplastia de aumento. Utilizando metodos preventivos no pre, e pos-operatorios, obtivemos uma acentuada reducao na incidencia de contratura capsular