The possible benefits of vitamin D in COVID-19.

Molecular studies have demonstrated the importance of the exacerbated immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, called the cytokine storm, in more severe COVID-19. The pathophysiology is complex and involves several homeostatic factors; among them, a deficit of vitamin D draws attention because of its high frequency in the population. Some evidence suggests that people with low serum vitamin D levels have worse outcomes, often requiring intensive care. This review analyzed the studies available in the global literature addressing the benefits of vitamin D in COVID-19, relating serum levels to the severity of the disease, and indicating vitamin D as a possible prophylactic and therapy in infection.

Desafios para o controle e prevenção do mosquito Aedes aegypiti / Challenges for the control and prevention of the Aedes aegypti mosquito

Objetivo: identificar os desafios enfrentados pelos agentes comunitários de saúde e agentes de combate aendemias na prevenção e controle da disseminação do mosquito Aedes aegypti. Método: estudo qualitativorealizado com 12 agentes comunitários de saúde e sete agentes de combate a endemias. Os dados foramproduzidos a partir de entrevista semiestruturada e analisados com a técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo.Resultados: verificou-se que as maiores dificuldades enfrentadas por estes agentes são o descaso, a falta decompromisso e a conscientização da comunidade, além da gestão, que não se apresenta de modo efetivo noprocesso. Conclusão: propõe-se, assim, uma maior efetivação das ações de educação em saúde junto àpopulação, investimento em educação permanente e sensibilização da gestão pública.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) protects PC12 cells from MPP+ toxicity by inducing the expression of neuron-typical proteins.

Neurite loss is an early event in neurodegenerative diseases; therefore, the regeneration of the network of neurites constitutes an interesting strategy of treatment for such disorders. Neurotrophic factors play a critical role in neuronal regeneration, but their clinical use is limited by their inability to cross the blood brain barrier. Oxidative and inflammatory events are implicated in neurodegeneration and antioxidant compounds have been suggested as potential neuroprotectors. The protective potential of CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester) has been shown in different models of neurotoxicity (in vitro and in vivo) and it has been associated with immune-modulatory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, other mechanisms might be involved. The present study demonstrates that CAPE protects PC12 cells from the cellular death induced by the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPP(+) by increasing the network of neurites. Results showed that CAPE induced the formation, elongation and ramification of neurites in PC12 cells non-stimulated with NGF (nerve growth factor) and inhibited the shortage of neurites induced by the dopaminergic neurotoxin. These effects were associated with increased expression of neuron-typical proteins responsible for axonal growth (GAP-43) and synaptogenesis (synaptophysin and synapsin I). It is noteworthy that, unlike neurotrophins, CAPE would be able to cross the blood brain barrier and exert its neurotrophic effects in the brain. This study corroborates the therapeutic potential of CAPE in neurodegenerative diseases while proposes the involvement of neuroplasticity in the mechanism of neuroprotection.

The effect of anti-hypertensive drugs on the obstructive pancreatitis in rats / Efeitos de fármacos anti-hipertensivos sobre pancreatite obstrutiva em ratos

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of ACE inhibitor, lisinopril and AT1 blocker, losartan, on the obstructive pancreatitis in rat. METHODS: Acute pancreatitis in rats (n=21) was induced for a common hepatic duct were ligated proximal to its entry into the pancreas and the common bile - pancreatic duct were also ligated near its junction with the duodenum, under ether anesthesia, after which the abdomen were closed. The animals was divided in tree groups, being two treated and control group. The animals was treated with Losartan and Lisinopril at the dose of 10µg/Kg body weight per day, i.p., in a proportional volume, for five days, before and after treatement. RESULTS: The inflammation, collagen deposition in the pancreas of treated animals were smaller, suggesting that the use of antihypertensive agents interfered positively in the depletion of the injury of the pancreas. Scythe showed a correlation between activity of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) lower in treated animals when compared to control. CONCLUSION: The pancreatic stellate cells strength are involved in collagen production during acute pancreatitis and why antihypertensive drugs such as lisinopril and losartan may possibly have beneficial effects in reducing pancreatic fibrosis in models of experimental obstructive pancreatitis.

OBJETIVO: Investigar o efeito de um inibidor da ECA, lisinopril e bloqueador AT1, losartan, a pancreatite obstrutiva em ratos. MÉTODOS: Pancreatite aguda em ratos (n = 21) foi induzida por um ducto hepático comum foram ligados proximal à sua entrada no pâncreas e da bílis comum - ducto pancreático também foram ligados perto de sua junção com o duodeno, sob anestesia com éter, após o que abdome foram fechadas. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos, sendo dois tratados eo grupo controle. Os animais foram tratados com lisinopril e losartan na dose de 10µg/Kg de peso corporal por dia, IP, em um volume proporcional, por cinco dias, antes e depois do tratamento com. RESULTADOS: A inflamação, deposição de colágeno no pâncreas de animais tratados foram menores, sugerindo que o uso de agentes anti-hipertensivos interferiram positivamente na diminuição da lesão do pâncreas. Este estudo mostrou uma correlação entre a atividade das células pancreáticas estreladas (CSP) menor nos animais tratados quando comparados ao control. CONCLUSÃO: A força das células pancreáticas estreladas está envolvida na produção de colágeno durante a pancreatite aguda e por medicamentos anti-hipertensivos, tais como lisinopril e losartan pode eventualmente ter efeitos benéficos na redução da fibrose do pâncreas em modelos experimentais de pancreatite obstrutiva.

The effect of anti-hypertensive drugs on the obstructive pancreatitis in rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of ACE inhibitor, lisinopril and AT1 blocker, losartan, on the obstructive pancreatitis in rat. METHODS: Acute pancreatitis in rats (n=21) was induced for a common hepatic duct were ligated proximal to its entry into the pancreas and the common bile - pancreatic duct were also ligated near its junction with the duodenum, under ether anesthesia, after which the abdomen were closed. The animals was divided in tree groups, being two treated and control group. The animals was treated with Losartan and Lisinopril at the dose of 10µg/Kg body weight per day, i.p., in a proportional volume, for five days, before and after treatment. RESULTS: The inflammation, collagen deposition in the pancreas of treated animals were smaller, suggesting that the use of antihypertensive agents interfered positively in the depletion of the injury of the pancreas. Scythe showed a correlation between activity of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) lower in treated animals when compared to control. CONCLUSION: The pancreatic stellate cells strength are involved in collagen production during acute pancreatitis and why antihypertensive drugs such as lisinopril and losartan may possibly have beneficial effects in reducing pancreatic fibrosis in models of experimental obstructive pancreatitis.