Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of Babesia microti on the Placentas of Infected Female Rats.

Babesiosis is perceived mainly an animal disease; however, awareness that Babesia spp. parasites that can cause diseases in humans is increasing significantly. Babesiosis is spread by the bite of an infected tick (Ixodes spp.), but it can also be transmitted by transfusion of infected blood and from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth. The parasites multiply in the bloodstream and destroy red blood cells. This study aimed to assess the influence of Babesia microti on the histological structure of the placenta. Histopathological material collected from pregnant rats infected with Babesia microti was used in the experiment. Microscopic images of the placentas were assessed by Mallory staining and by using methylene blue-stained semi-thin sections. In addition, FISH was used to detect parasite DNA. The presence of piroplasms in both maternal and fetal vessels was demonstrated. Babesia microti infection caused vacuolization of syncytioblasts and cytotrophoblasts, accumulation of collagen fibers in placental villi, and increased adhesion of erythrocytes to the vascular walls. These results indicate that Babesia may influence the course of pregnancy and invite further research on the mechanism of piroplasm penetration into cells.

The Effect of Natural Substances Contained in Bee Products on Prostate Cancer in In Vitro Studies.

Prostate cancer is a common cancer in men in older age groups. The WHO forecasts an increase in the incidence of prostate cancer in the coming years. Patients may not respond to treatment, and may not tolerate the side effects of chemotherapy. Compounds of natural origin have long been used in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Flavonoids obtained from natural products, e.g., propolis, are compounds with proven antibacterial and antiviral efficacy which modulate the immune response and may be useful as adjuvants in chemotherapy. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic properties of selected flavonoids on prostate cancer cells of the LNCaP line. The compounds used in this study were CAPE, curcumin (CUR), and quercetin (QUE). Mitochondrial and lysosome metabolism was assessed by the XTT-NR-SRB triple assay as well as by the fluorescent staining techniques. Staining for reactive oxygen species was performed as well. The experiment showed that each of the tested compounds has a cytotoxic effect on the LNCaP cell line. Different types of cell death were induced by the tested compounds. Apoptosis was induced by quercetin, while autophagy-specific changes were observed after using CAPE. Compounds obtained from other bee products have antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity against LNCaP prostate cancer cells.

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) Synergistically Enhances Paclitaxel Activity in Ovarian Cancer Cells.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) belongs to the phenols found in propolis. It has already shown strong antiproliferative, cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activities against head and neck cancers and against breast, colorectal, lung and leukemia cancer cells. Ovarian cancer is one of the most dangerous gynecological cancers. Its treatment involves intensive chemotherapy with platinum salts and paclitaxel (PTX). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the combined use of CAPE and paclitaxel increases the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents. The experiment was performed on three ovarian cancer lines: OV7, HTB78, and CRL1572. The effect of the tested compounds was assessed using H-E staining, a wound-healing test, MTT and the cell death detection ELISAPLUS test. The experiment proved that very low doses of PTX (10 nM) showed a cytotoxic effect against all the cell lines tested. Also, the selected doses of CAPE had a cytotoxic effect on the tested ovarian cancer cells. An increase in the cytotoxic effect was observed in the OV7 line after the simultaneous administration of 10 nM PTX and 100 µM CAPE. The increase in the cytotoxicity was dependent on the CAPE dosage (50 vs. 100 µM) and on the duration of the experiment. In the other cell lines tested, the cytotoxic effect of PTX did not increase after the CAPE administration. The administration of PTX together with CAPE increased the percentage of apoptotic cells in the tested ovarian cancer cell lines. Moreover, the simultaneous administration of PTX and CAPE enhanced the anti-migration activity of the chemotherapeutic used in this study.

Association of NK Cells with the Severity of Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.

Some NK cell subpopulations may be involved in the modulation of fibrogenesis in the liver. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the number and phenotype of NK cell subsets in peripheral blood (PB) and total NK cell percentage, population density and the degree of liver fibrosis of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV+). The study group consisted of 56 HCV+ patients, divided into two subgroups: patients with mild or moderate fibrosis and patients with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis (F ≥ 3 in METAVIR classification). The preparations were stained with H-E and AZAN staining. NK cells were targeted with anti-CD56 antibody and identified automatically in situ using the DakoVision system. Assessment of different NK cell subsets in PB was performed with the flow cytometry technique. In the PB of HCV+ patients with advanced liver fibrosis, there was a lower proportion of CD62L+; CD62L+/CD94++; CD27+; CD127+/CD27+ and CXCR3+/CD27+ NK subsets, as compared to patients with mild/moderate liver fibrosis. The results also showed no association between total PB NK cell level and total intrahepatic NK cell population density between patients with mild/moderate fibrosis and with advanced liver fibrosis. However, positive correlations between the PB levels of CD94+ and CD62L+ NK cell subsets and the intrahepatic total NK cell percentage and population density in the liver, irrespectively to the extent of fibrosis, were observed. Additionally, positive correlation was found between the PB CXCR3+/CD94+ NK cell percentages and intrahepatic NK cell percentages in patients with advanced hepatic fibrosis. Lower blood availability of specific NK subsets in patients with chronic type C hepatitis might be a cause of progression of liver fibrosis via insufficient control over hepatic stellate cells.

Histopathological Analysis of Selected Organs of Rats with Congenital Babesiosis Caused by Babesia microti.

Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease with an increasing number of cases each year. Due to the non-specific symptoms of babesiosis, insightful analyses of the pathogenesis of babesiosis are still very important. Transmission of the disease occurs in a few ways, which makes laboratory diagnosis of piroplasmosis important. Complications associated with the infection can be tragic, especially in patients with immunological disorders. The aim of this study was the histopathological analysis of the spleen and kidney of young Wistar rats infected transplacentally with Babesia microti. Female rats were infected with a reference strain of B. microti (ATCC 30221), and then, birth 3-week-old males were euthanized with isoflurane. Subsequently, the material was collected at autopsy for microscopic and ultrastructural examination. Microscopic and ultrastructural analysis of the spleen and kidney showed degenerative changes within the organ parenchyma and the capsules surrounding the organ. Regenerative and reparative changes through mitotic divisions of parenchymal cells were also evident. Merozoites of B. microti were visible in the section of erythrocytes and the cells building the organ stroma. The results presented in this study proved the negative effects of B. microti on cells and tissues in rats with congenital babesiosis.

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) Induced Apoptosis in Serous Ovarian Cancer OV7 Cells by Deregulation of BCL2/BAX Genes.

Ovarian cancer has the worst prognosis among all gynecological cancers. Therefore, it seems reasonable to seek new drugs that may improve the effectiveness of treatment or mitigate the adverse effects of chemotherapy. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has many beneficial biological properties. The aim of the study was to assess the anticancer properties of CAPE against serum ovarian carcinoma cells. The morphology of the cells was evaluated in H-E staining and in transmission electron microscopy. The cytotoxic and proapoptotic activity of CAPE was investigated by using the XTT-NR-SRB assay, qRT-PCR analysis of BAX/BCL2 expression, and by cytometric evaluation. CAPE causes constriction in OV7 cells, numerous granulomas were observed in the cytoplasm, the cell nuclei were pyknotic. Autophagosomal vacuoles could suggest the occurrence of aponecrosis. CAPE significantly decreased the lysosomal activity and the total synthesis of cellular proteins. CAPE exhibited, dose and time dependent, cytotoxic activity against OV7 serum ovarian cancer cells. In OV7 cells CAPE induced apoptosis via dysregulation of BAX/BCL2 balance, while activated proapoptotic BAX gene expression level was 10 times higher than BCL2.

Influence of α-lipoic Acid on Morphology of Organs of Rabbits Fed a High Fat Diet with the Addition of Oxidised Rapeseed Oil.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on the morphology of the aorta and liver of rabbits fed high fat diet with addition of oxidised (ORO) and non-oxidised rapeseed oil (N-ORO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on male chinchilla rabbits divided into six groups. The control group (C) was fed a breeding standard diet (BSD), group I received BSD with the addition of ALA in the dose of 10 mg/kg b.w., groups II and III received BSD enriched with 10% addition of N-ORO or ORO, whereas rabbits from groups IV and V received BSD with 10% addition of N-ORO or ORO and ALA. RESULTS: Addition of ORO caused necrosis and steatosis of hepatocytes, as well as atherosclerotic plaques of various intensification in the aorta. In the liver of rabbits from group II (N-ORO) infiltrations of mononuclear cells was observed in the area of liver triads and between liver lobules. The beneficial influence of ALA was demonstrated in rabbits fed a diet containing N-ORO or ORO. In case of ORO, the activity of ALA was not fully effective. CONCLUSION: Diet supplementation with ALA counteracts the changes generated in the liver and aorta under increased exposure to higher fat content in diet, in particular thermally treated fats.