Impacts of soybean agriculture on the resistome of the Amazonian soil.

The soils of the Amazon are complex environments with different organisms cohabiting in continuous adaptation processes; this changes significantly when these environments are modified for the development of agricultural activities that alter the chemical, macro, and microbiological compositions. The metagenomic variations and the levels of the environmental impact of four different soil samples from the Amazon region were evaluated, emphasizing the resistome. Soil samples from the organic phase from the different forest, pasture, and transgenic soybean monocultures of 2-14 years old were collected in triplicate at each site. The samples were divided into two groups, and one group was pre-treated to obtain genetic material to perform sequencing for metagenomic analysis; another group carried out the chemical characterization of the soil, determining the pH, the content of cations, and heavy metals; these were carried out in addition to identifying with different databases the components of the microbiological communities, functional genes, antibiotic and biocide resistance genes. A greater diversity of antibiotic resistance genes was observed in the forest soil. In contrast, in monoculture soils, a large number of biocide resistance genes were evidenced, highlighting the diversity and abundance of crop soils, which showed better resistance to heavy metals than other compounds, with a possible dominance of resistance to iron due to the presence of the acn gene. For up to 600 different genes for resistance to antibiotics and 256 genes for biocides were identified, most of which were for heavy metals. The most prevalent was resistance to tetracycline, cephalosporin, penam, fluoroquinolone, chloramphenicol, carbapenem, macrolide, and aminoglycoside, providing evidence for the co-selection of these resistance genes in different soils. Furthermore, the influence of vegetation cover on the forest floor was notable as a protective factor against the impact of human contamination. Regarding chemical characterization, the presence of heavy metals, different stress response mechanisms in monoculture soils, and the abundance of mobile genetic elements in crop and pasture soils stand out. The elimination of the forest increases the diversity of genes for resistance to biocides, favoring the selection of genes for resistance to antibiotics in soils.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-necrotic effects of lectins from Canavalia ensiformis and Canavalia brasiliensis in experimental acute pancreatitis.

Lectins isolated from Canavalia ensiformis (ConA) and Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) are promising molecules to prevent cell death. Acute pancreatitis, characterized by acinar cell necrosis and inflammation, presents significant morbidity and mortality. This study has investigated the effects of ConA and ConBr in experimental acute pancreatitis and pancreatic acinar cell death induced by bile acid. Pancreatitis was induced by retrograde pancreatic ductal injection of 3% sodium taurocholate (Na-TC) in male Swiss mice. ConA or ConBr (0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg) were intravenously applied to mice 1 h and 12 h after induction. After 24 h, the severity of pancreatitis was evaluated by serum amylase and lipase, histopathological changes and myeloperoxidase assay. Pancreatic acinar cells were incubated with ConA (200 µg/ml) or ConBr (200 µg/ml) and taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate (TLCS; 500 µM). Necrosis and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔÑ°m) were detected by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Treatment (post-insult) with ConA and ConBr decreased pancreatic damage caused by retrograde injection of Na-TC in mice, reducing pancreatic neutrophil infiltration, edema and necrosis. In addition, ConA and ConBr decreased pancreatic acinar cell necrosis and depolarization of ΔÑ°m caused by TLCS. The inhibition of necrosis was prevented by the lectin domain blockade. In conclusion, ConA and ConBr markedly inhibited in vitro and in vivo damage, effects partly dependent on the interaction with mannose residues on acinar cells. These data support the potential application of these proteins for treatment of acute pancreatitis.

Probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. attenuates 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in mice.

Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. was used to protect against gastrointestinal disorders. The present study evaluated the effects of probiotic mixture (PM) containing Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. on intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Swiss male mice (25-30 g) were treated with 5-FU (450 mg/kg, ip) and were orally administered (PM). Probiotic mixture 1 (PM-1) is a mixture of two probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis) and probiotic mixture 2 (PM-2) is a mixture of four probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium lactis). PM-1 and PM-2 decreased histopathological scores in the duodenum and jejunum after mucositis. PM-2 attenuated 5-FU-induced weight loss. On the other hand, PM-1 did not exert a significant effect on weight loss. Both probiotics mixture increased the villus/crypt ratio in all intestinal segments, increased GSH levels in the duodenum and jejunum, and reduced the MDA, MPO, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. PM-2 attenuated the delay in gastric emptying. PM-1 and PM-2 prevented epithelial injury in intestinal mucositis by 5-FU, demonstrating the potential use of these probiotics as therapeutic agents against intestinal mucositis.

Lactobacillus spp. e bifidobacterium sp. atenuam a mucosite intestinal experimental induzidapor 5-fluorouracil em camundongos

A mucosite intestinal é um dos efeitos adversos mais incidentes do tratamento com 5-Fluorouracil. Nesse contexto, microrganismos probióticos são cada vez mais utilizados como alternativas para proteção da mucosa gastrintestinal deste efeito colateral e distúrbios associados. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de Probiotil®composto pelosprobióticos Lactobacillus acidophilus e Bifidobacterium lactis, e Probiatop® composto porLactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus eBifidobacterium lactis na mucosite intestinal experimental induzida por 5-FU. Para aexecução do protocolo utilizou-se camundongos machos Swiss (25-30g) que foram tratadoscom dose única intraperitoneal de 5-FU (450mg/Kg i.p.), com exceção dos controles (Salina eDMSO). Os grupos probióticos foram tratados com o Probiotil®ou Probiatop®1h, 24h e 48h(v.o.) após a indução por 5-FU, sendo eutanasiados após 72h da indução de mucosite.Segmentos do duodeno, jejuno e íleo foram obtidos para as seguintes avaliações: mensuração da relação vilo/cripta; escores histológicos; dosagem de glutationa (GSH), malondialdeído(MDA), citocinas pró-inflamatórias (TNF-α e IL-6) e atividade da enzima mieloperoxidase(MPO). Além disso, avaliou-se a análise ponderal, leucograma, esvaziamento gástrico etrânsito intestinal dos animais. Observou-se que Probiatop®diminuiu a perda de peso induzida por 5-FU, mas este efeito não foi demonstrado pelo Probiotil®...

Intestinal Mucositis is a higher adverse effects of treatment with 5-fluorouracil. In thiscontext, probiotics are widely used to protect gastrointestinal disorders. Here we report theeffect Probiotil®composed by probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteriumlactis, and Probiatop®composed by Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei,Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis in intestinal mucositis induced by 5-FU.Such methodology was used male Swiss mice (25-30g), treated with a single intraperitonealdose by 5-FU (450 mg / kg ip), and controls with(saline and DMSO). In the Probiotics groupswas administrated Probiotil®or Probiatop®1h, 24h and 48h (V.O.) after induction by 5-FU .72h after 5-FU administration, mice was euthanized. Segments from Duodenum, jejunum andileum were removed for evaluations: measurement of villous / crypt ratio; Histological scores;concentration of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), proinflammatory cytokines(TNF-α and IL-6) activity and myeloperoxidase (MPO). In addition, we investigated theweight analysis, leukogram, gastric emptying and intestinal transit of animals. Our resultsshowed that Probiatop®decreased the weight loss induced by 5-FU, but Probiotil®did notchange weight loss...