Oral Efficacy of a Diselenide Compound Loaded in Nanostructured Lipid Carriers in a Murine Model of Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis urgently needs new oral treatments, as it is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases that affects people with poor resources. The drug discovery pipeline for oral administration currently discards entities with poor aqueous solubility and permeability (class IV compounds in the Biopharmaceutical Classification System, BCS) such as the diselenide 2m, a trypanothione reductase (TR) inhibitor. This work was assisted by glyceryl palmitostearate and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether-based nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) to render 2m bioavailable and effective after its oral administration. The loading of 2m in NLC drastically enhanced its intestinal permeability and provided plasmatic levels higher than its effective concentration (IC50). In L. infantum-infected BALB/c mice, 2m-NLC reduced the parasite burden in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow by at least 95% after 5 doses, demonstrating similar efficacy as intravenous Fungizone. Overall, compound 2m and its formulation merit further investigation as an oral treatment for visceral leishmaniasis.

Health-related quality of Life of an adult population sample in Barranquilla, Colombia / Calidad de vida relacionada con salud en una muestra de población adulta en Barranquilla, Colombia

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to estimate values of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by focusing on the physical and mental health of an adult population sample in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional study with 368 adults representing an adult population. The questionnaires included the health-related quality of life "CDC-Healthy Days", the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Overall Disability Sum Score. The prevalence of fair or poor health status (FPH), frequent physical distress (FPD), frequent mental distress (FMD), and frequent activity limitation (FAL) was estimated according to socio-demographic characteristics, presence of depression, and physical disability. Results The mean age of 368 adults was 45.6 ± 18.3 years; 55.7% were males. Only 21% of this population considered their general health to be fair or poor. The prevalence of FPH, FPD, FMD and FAL was higher in women than in men, and increased with greater severity of depression and higher physical disability. Moreover, 12% of the population presented with mild depression, 3.8% with moderate depression, and less than 1% with severe depression. 94% of this population did not have an arms or legs disability. Discussion This study provides HRQOL values for an adult sample of the population of Barranquilla, Colombia. Overall, the HRQOL of this population, with subtle differences, is similar to other reports from Colombia. In general, women and people with depression and physical disabilities had a worse quality of life.(AU)

RESUMEN Objetivo Estimar los valores de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) enfocados en la salud física y mental de una muestra de población adulta en la ciudad de Barranquilla, Colombia. Métodos Estudio transversal, con 368 adultos. Los cuestionarios consistían en escala de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud "CDC-Healthy Days", la Escala de Depresión de Zung y el Puntaje General de la Discapacidad. La prevalencia del estado de salud regular o deficiente (FPH), el estrés físico frecuente (FPD), el estrés mental frecuente (FMD) y la limitación de la actividad frecuente (FAL) se estimaron según las características sociodemográficas, la presencia de depresión y la discapacidad física. Resultados La edad promedio de los 368 adultos fue de 45.6 ± 18.3 años, 55.7% fueron hombres. El 21% de esta población consideraba que su salud general era justa o pobre. La prevalencia de FPH, FPD, FMD y FAL fue mayor en mujeres que en hombres; incrementó con mayor severidad de depresión y con mayor discapacidad física en esta población. El 12% tenía depresión leve, 3.8% tenía depresión moderada y menos del 1% depresión grave. El 94% de esta población no tenía una discapacidad de brazos o piernas. Discusión Este estudio proporciona valores de CVRS en una muestra adulta de la población de Barranquilla, Colombia. En general, la CVRS de esta población, con pequeñas diferencias, es similar a otros estudios de Colombia. En general, las mujeres, las personas con depresión y discapacidades físicas tenían una peor calidad de vida.(AU)

Health-Related Quality of Life of an adult population sample in Barranquilla, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate values of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by focusing on the physical and mental health of an adult population sample in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 368 adults representing an adult population. The questionnaires included the health-related quality of life "CDC-Healthy Days", the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Overall Disability Sum Score. The prevalence of fair or poor health status (FPH), frequent physical distress (FPD), frequent mental distress (FMD), and frequent activity limitation (FAL) was estimated according to socio-demographic characteristics, presence of depression, and physical disability. RESULTS: The mean age of 368 adults was 45.6 ± 18.3 years; 55.7% were males. Only 21% of this population considered their general health to be fair or poor. The prevalence of FPH, FPD, FMD and FAL was higher in women than in men, and increased with greater severity of depression and higher physical disability. Moreover, 12% of the population presented with mild depression, 3.8% with moderate depression, and less than 1% with severe depression. 94% of this population did not have an arms or legs disability. DISCUSSION: This study provides HRQOL values for an adult sample of the population of Barranquilla, Colombia. Overall, the HRQOL of this population, with subtle differences, is similar to other reports from Colombia. In general, women and people with depression and physical disabilities had a worse quality of life.