Treatment with at homeopathic complex medication modulates mononuclear bone marrow cell differentiation.

A homeopathic complex medication (HCM), with immunomodulatory properties, is recommended for patients with depressed immune systems. Previous studies demonstrated that the medication induces an increase in leukocyte number. The bone marrow microenvironment is composed of growth factors, stromal cells, an extracellular matrix and progenitor cells that differentiate into mature blood cells. Mice were our biological model used in this research. We now report in vivo immunophenotyping of total bone marrow cells and ex vivo effects of the medication on mononuclear cell differentiation at different times. Cells were examined by light microscopy and cytokine levels were measured in vitro. After in vivo treatment with HCM, a pool of cells from the new marrow microenvironment was analyzed by flow cytometry to detect any trend in cell alteration. The results showed decreases, mainly, in CD11b and TER-119 markers compared with controls. Mononuclear cells were used to analyze the effects of ex vivo HCM treatment and the number of cells showing ring nuclei, niche cells and activated macrophages increased in culture, even in the absence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Cytokines favoring stromal cell survival and differentiation in culture were induced in vitro. Thus, we observe that HCM is immunomodulatory, either alone or in association with other products.

Stimulation of lymphocyte anti-melanoma activity by co-cultured macrophages activated by complex homeopathic medication.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, and the most rapidly expanding cancer in terms of worldwide incidence. Chemotherapeutic approaches to treat melanoma have been uniformly disappointing. A Brazilian complex homeopathic medication (CHM), used as an immune modulator, has been recommended for patients with depressed immune systems. Previous studies in mice have demonstrated that the CHM activates macrophages, induces an increase in the number of leukocytes and improves the murine response against Sarcoma-180. METHODS: Here we studied the interaction of mouse lymph node lymphocytes, co-cultured in vitro with macrophages in the presence or absence of the CHM, with B16F10 melanoma cells. RESULTS: Lymphocytes co-cultured with macrophages in the presence of the CHM had greater anti-melanoma activity, reducing melanoma cell density and increasing the number of lysed tumor cells. There was also a higher proportion of activated (CD25+) lymphocytes with increased viability. Overall, lymphocytes activated by treatment destroyed growing cancer cells more effectively than control lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Co-culture of macrophages with lymphocytes in the presence of the CHM enhanced the anti-cancer performance of lymphocytes against a very aggressive lineage of melanoma cells. These results suggest that non-toxic therapies using CHMs are a promising alternative approach to the treatment of melanomas. In addition, they are attractive combination-therapy candidates, which may enhance the efficacy of conventional medicines by improving the immune response against tumor cells.

Activation of mononuclear bone marrow cells treated in vitro with a complex homeopathic medication.

Canova is a Brazilian homeopathic medication with immunomodulatory properties, recommended for patients where the immune system is depressed. Previous studies demonstrated that Canova induces up-regulation in numbers of leukocytes. The bone marrow microenvironment is composed of growth factors, stromal cells, extracellular matrix and progenitor cells that differentiate into mature blood cells. We now report the effect of in vitro administration of the medication on the mononuclear differentiation of the bone marrow cell. Swiss mice femurs were dissected cleaned and the cells of the marrow were flushed. The cells were plated, treated or not, incubated for different times and processed for light, transmission and scanning electron, and confocal microscopy analysis. Bone marrow cells showed an enhanced proliferation in vitro in response to Canova medication and Canova plus M-CSF and an increase was also observed in the numbers of the cell niches and ring-shaped nuclei cells. Confocal and transmission and scanning electron microscopy showed the stages of monocyte maturation, with resting and activated cells. With Canova treatment there was a marked increase in cell size, which is mainly attributable to the augmented cytoplasm, an increase in the number of mitochondria, expansion of the RER and an enlarged Golgi. The response to Canova treatment indicates that it influences mononuclear differentiation and activation of bone marrow progenitor and stromal cells.

Activation of bone marrow cells treated with Canova in vitro.

Canova is a Brazilian complex homeopathic medication produced from Aconitum, Thuya, Bryonia, Lachesis and Arsenicum. Previous studies demonstrated that Canova induces up-regulation in numbers of leukocytes. The bone marrow microenvironment is composed of growth factors, stromal cells, extracellular matrix, and progenitor cells that differentiate into mature blood cells. As it is the major site of blood cell formation, we studied in vitro Canova effects on bone marrow cells of mice. Swiss mouse femurs were dissected, cleaned, and the marrow was flushed. The cells were plated, treated or not, incubated for different times and processed for light, scanning electron, and confocal microscopy, and also flow cytometry. The treatment did not modify the expression of the analyzed surface markers or cytokine production. All microscopy techniques showed that a monocytic lineage (CD11b(+)) and stromal cells (adherent cells) were activated by treatment. Canova also increased cell clusters over adherent cells, suggesting proliferation areas.

Alcoolismo feminino: um estudo de suas peculiaridades. Resultados preliminares / Alcoholism in women: a study of its peculiarities. Preliminary results

OBJETIVO: Apresentar os resultados parciais de um estudo qualitativo realizado com mulheres alcoolistas, discutir as peculiaridades do alcoolismo feminino e a importância do seu significado nos serviços especializados. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas com nove mulheres que se tratavam no serviço de alcoolismo de uma instituição pública. RESULTADOS: Observou-se comportamento particular de beber, violência doméstica e maior adesão ao tratamento quando eram participantes de um grupo composto somente por mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo apontou a relevância de tentar compreender o alcoolismo feminino com todas as suas peculiaridades e a possível relação dessa compreensão com os tratamentos oferecidos.

OBJECTIVE: To present preliminary results of a qualitative study carried out with women with alcohol use disorders, to assess the peculiarities of alcoholism in women, and to point out its meanings in specialized services. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine women at an alcohol abuse disorders clinic in a public psychiatric center. RESULTS: Some peculiar behaviors were observed such as domestic violence and a better adherence to treatment during their participation in a supportive group with other women. CONCLUSION: The study pointed out the relevance of trying to understand alcoholism in women with all its peculiarities and the possible impact of this understanding in future interventions.

O beber feminino: a marca social do gênero feminino no alcoolismo em mulheres / Female drinking: the social mark of the female sort in alcoholism in women

Este trabalho enfoca o beber feminino numa perspectiva de gênero, observando o entrelaçamento das relações e ideologias de gênero no alcoolismo em mulheres. Procuramos nos afastar das noções médicas sobre o alcoolismo feminino e levantar reflexões que o beber feminino nos aponta. Foram realizadas entrevistas com nove mulheres, participantes de um grupo específico para mulheres alcoolistas, cuja abordagem inclui o modelo da Redução de Danos e atividades que promovem novas relações entre sujeitos sociais. O estudo mostrou que o beber feminino engloba um conjunto de fatores relacionados ao ser mulher no espaço social e ser mulher alcoolista, numa relação dialética entre o plano identitário e os processos de subjetivação hegemônicos de gênero, onde a questão da violência doméstica apresentou-se de forma significativa.Os depoimentos das entrevistadas apontam para dois lados do beber feminino, caracterizado por contradições. O processo de lidar com experiências adversas e fugir do sofrimento, resistindo à violência e ao desamparo numa tentativa de ficar alegre e mais sociável, revela-se, ao mesmo tempo, num beber solitário, depressivo, auto destrutivo.