Physical exercise protects myenteric neurons and reduces parasitemia in Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

To evaluate the parasitemia, nitrergic neurons, and cytokines in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected mice subjected to moderate physical exercise, forty male Swiss mice, 30days of age, were divided: Trained Control (TC), Trained Infected (TI), Sedentary Control (SC), and Sedentary Infected (SI). The moderate physical exercise program on a treadmill lasted 8weeks. Three days after completing the moderate physical exercise program, the TI and SI groups were inoculated with 1300 blood trypomastigotes of the Y strain of T. cruzi, and parasitemia was evaluated from day 4 to day 22 after inoculation. After 75days of infection, cytokines were measured and colonic neurons were quantified using immunofluorescence to identify neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). The results were analyzed using analysis of variance - Tukey and Kruskal-Wallis tests, to 5% significance. Moderate physical exercise reduced the parasite peak on day 8 of infection and total parasitemia (p<0.05), contributed to survival of number of nNOS-immunoreactive neurons (p<0.01) and promoted neuronal hypertrophy of the neurons (p<0.05), increased the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor-α (p<0.01) and transforming growth factor-ß (p>0.05), providing beneficial effects to the host by acting on the immune system to preserve nitrergic neurons.

Maior frequência de administração de bioterápico T. cruzi 17DH diminui parasitemia e aumenta sobrevida de camundongos infectados pelo Trypanosoma cruzi / Higher frequency of administration of biotherapic T. cruzi 17DH decreases parasitemia and increases survival in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

The study of the effect of different ways of treatment using highly diluted substances is rare in the literature. Some authors consider the dose irrelevant, justifying that the action of the medication highly diluted is qualitative [1-3]. Others emphasize the importance of quantity and frequency of administration of the highly diluted substance for a successful treatment [4,5]. The model of murine infection by T. cruzi is widely studied and it is an excellent tool to study the effect of highly diluted substances.There is a difference in the effect of the medication highly diluted depending on the way of treatment used. For mice, the use of drug diluted in water offered frequently, results in better benefits. The clinical use of these results in humans, should consider the allometric system medication dosage which takes into account the metabolic rate of each organism.(AU)

Bioterápico 200 DH causa redução do parasitismo cerebral em camundongos infectados com Toxoplasma gondii / Biotherapic 200 DH reduces cerebral parasitism in mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis that represents a serious public health problem, worldwide distributed. Pregnant women are part of the most risky group due to congenital sequels. The necessity of a preventive treatment for congenital infections is of great importance [1] Biotherapics, highly diluted medicines prepared with T. gondii according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia [2], is an important prevention strategy, ensuring a safe and cheap approach to protozoan infections [3]. However, little is known about the effects of different potencies and treatment schedules.The highly diluted biotherapic 200DH T. gondii caused mortality in one animal in group however caused no significant difference other clinical and parasitological parameters evaluated although there was a decrease of parasitism brain of mice infected with the protozoan compared to control group.(AU)

Efeito de um bioterápico 7DH de Toxoplasma gondii em camundongos infectados com o protozoário / Effect of 7DH biotherapic of Toxoplasma gondii in mice infected with the protozoan

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii worldwide distributed [1]. In both, men and animals, the infection with T. gondii can lead to important pathologies [2]. The study of alternative treatments is important to set new therapeutic protocols, especially for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.Mice pre-infection treated with biotherapic 7DH, presented bigger clinical alterations, which were measured visually and statistically compared to the control group. There was a biological effect of the biotherapic, with an increase in the number of cysts compared to the control group, without statistical significance. The group 7DH showed a significant reduction of intraocular pressure and fundoscopic analysis showed a larger number of animals without ocular changes, without statistical significance. The sample size should be reevaluated for better data interpretation and decision on the effects of the biotherapic 7DH T. gondii.(AU)

Influência da idade e esquema de tratamento na parasitemia de camundongos infectados pelo Trypanosoma cruzi tratados com bioterápico de alta potência / Influence of age and ways of treatment in the parasitemia in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi treated with high potency biotherapy

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The infection of mice by Trypanosoma cruzi is well known, making this a good model for understanding the effect of highly diluted medications. Mice of different ages show different responses to biotherapic T. cruzi [1]. Other data from our laboratory using biotherapic treatment at low potencies show that long lasting treatment has a better effect in mice infected with T. cruzi. However, the use of high potency biotherapics in mice of different ages infected with T. cruzi has not been analysed yet.Conclusion: The age and the ways of treatment used are important factors to be considered when using a highly diluted medication. The clinical use of these results in humans, should take into consideration the allometric system of medication dosage which takes into account the metabolic rate of each organism.(AU)

Introdução: A infecção murina pelo Trypanosoma cruzi é bem conhecida, fazendo deste um bom modelo para o entendimento do efeito de medicamentos ultradiluídos. Camundongos de diferentes idades mostram diferentes respostas a bioterápico de T. cruzi [1]. Outros dados do nosso laboratório utilizando tratamento com bioterápico em baixas potências mostram que o tratamento prolongado exerce melhor efeito em camundongos infectados pelo T. cruzi. No entanto, a utilização de bioterápicos em alta potência em camundongos de diferentes idades infectados pelo T. cruzi ainda não foi explorada.Conclusão: A idade e o esquema de tratamento utilizado são fatores importantes a serem considerados na utilização de medicamento ultradiluído. A utilização clínica destes resultados em humanos, deve considerar o sistema alométrico de dosagem de medicamentos que leva em conta a taxa metabólica de cada organismo.(AU)

Bioterápico 17DH T. cruzi em uso prolongado melhora clinicamente camundongos infectados pelo Trypanosoma cruzi / Biotherapic T. cruzi 17DH when continuously used clinically improves mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.

Introduction: In Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the pathogenesis is the result of a rupture in the host - parasite relationship [1]. This rupture is related to the imbalance of the vital force of the host, expressed through signs and symptoms, defined by Hahnemann (1995)[2] as being the source of the disease. There is no research in the literature about the clinical evolution of mice experimentally infected with T. cruzi and treated in different ways using biotherapic. Therefore, this is an area to be studied in the future.Conclusion: The use of biotherapic T. cruzi 17DH for a long period causes clinical improvement of the infected mice with Trypanosoma cruzi. The clinical use of these results in human beings should consider the allometric medicine dosage which takes into account the metabolic rate of each organism(AU)

Introdução: Na infecção pelo Trypanosoma cruzi, a patogenia é resultado do rompimento do equilíbrio da relação parasito - hospedeiro (Tafuri, 1987), que está relacionada com o desequilíbrio da força vital do hospedeiro, expressando-se através de sinais e sintomas, definido por Hahnemann (2007), como sendo a origem da doença. Não existe na literatura trabalhos que abordem a evolução clínica de camundongos experimentalmente infectados pelo T. cruzi e tratados com diferentes esquemas de tratamento utilizando bioterápico. Sendo assim, é necessária a realização de estudos com este objetivo.Conclusão: O uso prolongado do bioterápico 17DH T. cruzi melhora clinicamente camundongos infectados pelo T. cruzi. A utilização clínica destes resultados em humanos, deve considerar o sistema alométrico de dosagem de medicamentos que leva em conta a taxa metabólica de cada organismo.(AU)

Homeopatia: significância estatística versus tamanho da amostra em experimento com Toxoplasma gondii / Homeopathy: statistical significance versus the sample size in experiments with Toxoplasma gondii

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis that represents a serious public health problem, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which affects 20-90% of the world human population [1,2]. It is a serious problem especially when considering the congenital transmission due to congenital sequels. Treatment with highly diluted substances is one of the alternative/complementary medicines most employed in the world [3,4]. The current ethical rules regarding the number of animals used in animal experimental protocols with the use of more conservative statistical methods [5] can not enhance the biological effects of highly diluted substances observed by the experience of the researcher.}Conclusion: Bootstrap seems to be an interesting methodology for the analysis of data obtained from experiments with highly diluted substances. Experiments involving highly diluted substances and infection of mice with T. gondii should be better work with experimental groups using 17 animals at least.(AU)

Introdução: A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose causada pelo Toxoplasma gondii, que atinge de 20-90% da população humana mundial [1,2] sendo um sério problema de saúde pública, sobretudo ao se considerar a transmissão congênita com suas conseqüências e seqüelas. O tratamento com substâncias ultradiluídas é uma das práticas alternativas / complementares mais empregadas no mundo [3,4]. As regras éticas atuais quanto ao número de animais utilizados nos protocolos de experimentação animal juntamente com o uso de métodos estatísticos mais conservadores [5] não conseguem valorizar efeitos biológicos de substâncias ultra-diluídas percebidos pela experiência do pesquisador.Conclusão: O Bootstrap mostrou ser uma metodologia interessante para a análise de dados derivados de experimentos com substâncias ultra-diluídas. Experimentos envolvendo substâncias ultra-diluídas e a infecção de camundongos pelo T. gondii deveriam trabalhar com grupos experimentais utilizando, no mínimo, 17 animais.(AU)

Professional conduct and knowledge gaps concerning Chagas disease in interrupted vector-borne transmission area / Conduta profissional e lacunas de conhecimento sobre doença de chagas na área de transmissão por vetores interrompida

Aiming to verify gaps in the conduct and knowledge of health professionals concerning Chagas disease in Maringá and Paiçandu, Paraná State, Brazil, from September/2004 to July/2005. The participants were chosen by systematic sampling. A total of 487 professionals, consisting of 75 physicians, 75 nurses, 150 nursing assistants and 187 community health agents (CHA), were interviewed using two semi-structured questionnaires, one created for the physicians and another for the nurses, nursing assistants and health agents. A considerable percentage of professionals from all categories demonstrated doubts about treatment, mechanisms of transmission, recognition of the triatomines and the sending of official notification of the presence of insects, tests for diagnosis confirmation, etiologic treatment, and the prognosis of the disease. Doubts arose more frequently among the CHA, who are the main link between patients and basic health units. In order to maintain the current state of disease control and provide appropriate treatment for those already infected by Trypanosoma cruzi, it is necessary to invest in epidemiological surveillance, education and to have duly capable and qualified health professionals.

Objetivando verificar diferenças no comportamento e conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde sobre a doença de Chagas em Maringá e Paiçandu, Paraná, Brasil, de setembro/2004 à julho/2005, participantes foram escolhidos por amostragem sistemática. Um total de 487 profissionais, sendo 75 médicos, 75 enfermeiros, 150 auxiliares de enfermagem e 187 agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS), foram entrevistados por meio de dois questionários semi-estruturados, que foi criado para os médicos e outro para os enfermeiros, auxiliares de enfermagem e agentes de saúde. Uma porcentagem considerável de profissionais de todas as categorias demonstrou dúvidas sobre tratamento, reconhecimento de mecanismos de transmissão, triatomíneos e envio da notificação oficial da presença de insetos, testes para confirmação do diagnóstico, tratamento etiológico, e prognóstico da doença. Além disso, surgiram dúvidas mais frequentes entre os ACS, que são o principal elo entre pacientes e unidades básicas de saúde. A fim de manter o estado atual de controle da doença, e oferecer tratamento adequado para aqueles já infectados pelo Trypanosoma cruzi, é necessário investir na vigilância epidemiológica, educação e ter profissionais de saúde devidamente capacitados e qualificados.