In vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity of a benzofuroxan derivative against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major public health problem and is described as one of the most neglected diseases worldwide. It affects about 6-7 million people. Currently, only two drugs are available for the treatment of this disease: nifurtimox and benznidazole. However, both drugs are highly toxic and have several side effects, which lead many patients to discontinue treatment. Moreover, these compounds show a significant curative efficacy only in the acute phase of the disease. Therefore, searching for new drugs is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo activity of a benzofuroxan derivative (EA2) against T. cruzi, and to evaluate the hematological and biochemical changes induced by its treatment in animals infected with T. cruzi. The results were then compared with those of healthy controls. In vitro testing was first performed with T. cruzi epimastigote forms. In this experiment, EA2 was diluted at three different concentrations (0.25, 0.50, and 1%). In vitro evaluation of the trypanocidal activity was performed 24, 48, and 72 h after incubation. In vivo assays were performed using three different doses (10, 5, and 2,5 mg/kg). Mice were divided into 10 groups (five animals/group), wherein four groups comprised non-infected animals (A, G, H, I) and six groups comprised infected animals (B, C, D E, F, J). Groups B and J represented the negative and positive controls, respectively. Groups G, H, and I were used to confirm that EA2 was not toxic to non-infected animals. Parasitemia was measured in infected animals and the hematological and biochemical profiles (urea, creatinine, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) were evaluated in all animals. EA2 demonstrated in vitro trypanocidal activity at all concentrations tested. Although it did not demonstrate a curative effect in vivo, EA2 was able to retard the onset of parasitemia, and significantly reduced the parasite count in groups D and E (treated with 5 and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively). EA2 did not induce changes in hematological and biochemical parameters in non-infected animals, demonstrating that it is not toxic. However, further assessments should aim to confirm the safety of EA2 since this was the first in vitro and in vivo study conducted with this molecule.

Vivências de cuidadores ante o processo de adoecimento por câncer de seu familiar / Experiencias de los cuidadores ante la enfermedad de cáncer de su pariente / Experiences of caregivers in the face of their relative's cancer illness process

Objetivo: compreender as vivências de cuidadores familiares de pessoas com câncer durante o processo de adoecimento. Método: estudo qualitativo, descritivo, realizado em um município do Noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul, com nove cuidadores familiares de pessoas com câncer. Os dados produzidos mediante entrevistas semiestruturadas foram submetidos à análise temática, originando três temas. Os dados foram coletados entre fevereiro e junho de 2019. Resultados: após o adoecimento por câncer de um membro da família fez-se necessário eleger um cuidador principal, designado pelos demais familiares, pelo doente ou por desejo do próprio cuidador. Houve mudanças na dinâmica cotidiana do cuidador familiar, evidenciadas pelo abandono do emprego e de seus afazeres da vida pessoal, acarretando sobrecargas. Identificaram-se diversas condições vivenciadas pelos cuidadores familiares: medo, desespero, choro, impotência, preocupação e sintomas depressivos. Conclusão: cuidar de um familiar com câncer modifica o cotidiano do cuidador e tem potencial para alterar a estrutura familiar.

Objective: to understand the experiences of family caregivers of people with cancer during the illness process. Method: qualitative and descriptive study, conducted in a city in the Northwest of Rio Grande do Sul, with nine family caregivers of people with cancer. The data produced through semi-structured interviews were submitted to thematic analysis, originating three themes. Data were collected between February and June 2019. Results: after a family member's illness with cancer, it became necessary to elect a primary caregiver, designated by the other relatives, by the patient or by the caregiver's own desire. There were changes in the daily dynamics of the family caregiver, highlighted by the abandonment of the job and his/her personal life tasks, entailing overloads. Several conditions experienced by the family caregivers were identified: fear, despair, crying, powerlessness, concern and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: the act of caring for a relative with cancer changes the caregiver's daily life and has the potential to transform the family structure.

Objetivo: comprender las experiencias de los parientes que brindan atención a personas con cáncer durante el proceso de la enfermedad. Método: estudio cualitativo y descriptivo efectuado en una ciudad del Noroeste de Rio Grande do Sul, con nueve parientes cuidadores de personas con cáncer. Los datos producidos mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas se sometieron al análisis temático, generando tres tópicos. Los datos se recopilaron entre febrero y junio de 2019. Resultados: después de que un miembro de la familia se enfermara de cáncer, era necesario elegir un cuidador principal, designado por los otros parientes, por el paciente o por el deseo del propio cuidador. Hubo cambios en la dinámica diaria del cuidador familiar, señaladas por el abandono del trabajo y de las tareas de su vida personal, lo que condujo a sobrecargas. Se identificaron diversas condiciones que experimentan los cuidadores familiares: miedo, desesperanza, llanto, impotencia, preocupación y síntomas depresivos. Conclusión: la atención de un pariente con cáncer modifica la vida diaria del cuidador y tiene el potencial de cambiar la estructura familiar.

Adulticidal Activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) Essential Oil With High 1,8-Cineole Content Against Stable Flies (Diptera: Muscidae).

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus 1758), is a hematophagous fly responsible for causing loss of performance in horses, causing losses in cattle productivity, and impacting the animals' health through the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. The objective of this work was to investigate the insecticidal activity of essential oil obtained from Melaleuca alternifolia (Cheel), presenting high 1,8-cineole content, against S. calcitrans adults. Insecticidal activity was determined using surface application methods and exposure to oil impregnated paper. It was observed that treatments at 25 and 50 µg/cm2 (P < 0.05) present fumigant activity through exposure to the impregnated paper, and in the first 15 min of exposure, the mortality rates obtained for these treatments were, respectively (96.6 ± 3.3% and 100%), equivalent to the positive control. Using the superficial application method, the only treatment concentration presenting adulticidal action was 5% (w/v) (P < 0.05). Respective toxicities LC50 (%, w/v) and LC80 for the impregnated paper method were 1.06 ± 0.02 and 1.47 ± 0.17; for the superficial application method, they were 3.82 ± 0.65 and 5.53 ± 0.74. As demonstrated, M. alternifolia essential oil presents adulticidal potential against S. calcitrans.

Diminazene aceturate liposomes: morphometric and biochemical liver, kidney, and spleen of rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with liposomal (L-DMZ) and conventional (C-DMZ) diminazene aceturate formulations on hepatic and renal functions of rats, experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi. For this purpose, 72 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E, and F). Each group was subdivided into two other subgroups in order to assess the biochemical and histological results on days 7 and 40 post-treatment (PT). Treatments were carried out based on two different therapeutic protocols: L-DMZ and C-DMZ at 3.5mg/kg(-1), single dose (groups C and D), and five successive doses within intervals of 24h (groups E and F). Groups A and B corresponded to uninfected and infected (without treatment) animals, respectively. Sample collections were held on days 7 and 40 PT for the assessment of hepatic [alkaline phosphatase (AP), alanine transferase (ALT), albumin, gamma glutamil transferase (GGT) and renal functions (creatinine and urea). Additionally, the histology of fragments of liver, kidney, and spleen was performed. Animals in group B showed a significant increase in AP, GGT, ALT, and urea when compared with group A. On day 7 post-inoculation (PI), the biochemical analysis showed a reduction (P<0.05) of AP and GGT, while the levels of urea were increased in groups C, D, E, F. On day 40 PT, ALT was increased in these same groups when compared with group A. In histopathology, changes in liver samples were observed on day 7 PT in groups D and F, especially regarding the area and density of the hepatocytes. Renal analysis exhibited changes in glomerular space, glomerular, and corpuscular areas in group E. Therefore, these results allowed us to conclude that the treatment with L-DMZ and C-DMZ led to variable biochemical changes, which defined the functions of the liver and kidneys of treated animals, since the main histopathology alterations were observed in animals treated with liposomes, at their higher dosages. Thus, treatments with L-DMZ and C-DMZ in five consecutive doses were effective although being followed by liver toxicity.

Relationship between testicular lesion and hormone levels in male rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between testicular lesions and hormone levels in rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi. For that, the measurement of reproductive hormones, histopathology and biomarkers of cellular injury were carried out in twenty-four animals, which were divided into two groups with 12 animals each. Group A was the negative control, or uninfected, while group B was composed by animals infected with T. evansi. Both groups were divided again into two other subgroups (n=6), from which serum and testicular fragments were collected on days 5 (A1 and B1) and 15 (A2 and B2) post-infection (PI). The morphological analysis showed increased alterations of head and tail of sperm in infected rats when compared with those of the control group. A significant reduction (P<0.01) in the levels of LH, FSH, testosterone and estradiol, associated with an increase in cortisol, was observed in serum of group B when compared with negative control. Additionally, NOx, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation were enhanced in testicles, indicating the occurrence of cellular lesion. On histopathology, it was possible to observe testicular degeneration, among other disorders in infected animals. Therefore, based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the experimental infection with T. evansi caused changes in the levels of the main hormones of male rats associated with cellular injury.