Reactive oxygen species production triggers green tea-induced anti-leukaemic effects on acute promyelocytic leukaemia model.

Green tea (GT) has been consumed as a beverage for thousands of years because of its therapeutic properties observed over time. Because there is no sufficient evidence supporting the protective role of tea intake during the development of acute myeloid leukaemia, we herein study GT extract effects on an acute promyelocytic leukaemia model. Our results demonstrated that GT reduces leucocytosis and immature cells (blasts) in peripheral blood, bone marrow (BM), and spleen of leukaemic mice, parallel with an increase of mature cells in the BM. In addition, GT induces apoptosis of cells in the BM and spleen, confirmed by activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9; GT reduces the malignant clones CD34+ and CD117+ in the BM and reduces CD117+ and Gr1+ immature myeloid cells in the spleen; GT increases intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the BM Gr1+ cells while reducing CD34+ and CD117+ cells; GT reduces CXCR4 expression on CD34+ and CD117+ cells, and reduces the nuclear translocation of HIF-1α. GT has anti-proliferative effects in leukaemia in vivo by inhibiting malignant clone expansion, probably by modulating the intracellular production of ROS.

Chlorella modulates insulin signaling pathway and prevents high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in mice.

AIMS: The search for natural agents that minimize obesity-associated disorders is receiving special attention. In this regard, the present study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on body weight, lipid profile, blood glucose and insulin signaling in liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of diet-induced obese mice. MAIN METHODS: Balb/C mice were fed either with standard rodent chow diet or high-fat diet (HFD) and received concomitant treatment with CV for 12 consecutive weeks. Triglyceride, free fatty acid, total cholesterol and fractions of cholesterol were measured using commercial assay. Insulin and leptin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Insulin and glucose tolerance tests were performed. The expression and phosphorylation of IRß, IRS-1 and Akt were determined by Western blot analyses. KEY FINDINGS: Herein we demonstrate for the first time in the literature that prevention by CV of high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in obese mice, as shown by increased glucose and insulin tolerance, is in part due to the improvement in the insulin signaling pathway at its main target tissues, by increasing the phosphorylation levels of proteins such as IR, IRS-1 and Akt. In parallel, the lower phosphorylation levels of IRS-1(ser307) were observed in obese mice. We also found that CV administration prevents high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia by reducing triglyceride, cholesterol and free fatty acid levels. SIGNIFICANCE: We propose that the modulatory effect of CV treatment preventing the deleterious effects induced by high-fat diet is a good indicator for its use as a prophylactic-therapeutic agent against obesity-related complications.

Expression of differential genes involved in the maintenance of water balance in human skin by Piptadenia colubrina extract.

BACKGROUND: Hydration and integrity of the stratum corneum (SC) is an important determinant of skin appearance, metabolism, mechanical properties, and barrier function. The presence of aquaglyceroporins and envelope proteins are crucial to provide greater corneocyte cohesion to keep water and other moisturizers in the skin. AIMS: In this study, we evaluated the ability of Piptadenia colubrina, a plant native of South American rain forests, in the expression of genes involved in skin capacitance and SC integrity. METHODS: The expression of genes for aquaporin-3 (AQP3), loricrin, involucrin (INV), and filaggrin (FLG) was measured by real-time PCR, using an in vitro model of human keratinocytes incubated with concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL of a hydroglycolic extract of P. colubrina (HEPC). The amount of AQP3 protein was also tested by immunohistochemistry in human skin explants. Clinical trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of a gel-cream containing HEPC on the glycerol index and skin capacitance. RESULTS: Hydroglycolic extract of P. colubrina increased both the expression and immunoreactivity of AQP3 in cultured keratinocytes and human skin explants. The gene induction to envelope proteins FLG and INV was also observed after cell incubation with HEPC. Skin capacitance was significantly improved in human volunteers under treatment with HEPC-containing cream. CONCLUSIONS: The extract of P. colubrina promotes cellular hydration and induces gene expression of envelope proteins providing greater corneocyte cohesion to keep water and other moisturizers in the skin and an appropriate epidermal adhesion. The in vitro findings were clinically confirmed and encourage the clinical use of this compound in skin care products.

Relievene® SK: neuroimunomodulação para o tratamento dermocosmético da pele sensível / Relievene® SK: neuroimunomodulation for dermocosmetic treatment of sensitive skin

Pele sensível (PS) é definida como uma condição de tolerância reduzida ao uso freqüente ou prolongado de cosméticos e produtos de higiene pessoal, que apresenta desde sinais clínicos visíveis, como eritema, edema e descamação, até sinais neurossensoriais subjetivos de desconforto, como pinicamento, queimação, prurido, ressecamento e dor. A fisiopatologia da PS consiste em reação inflamatória decorrente de uma disfunção da barreira cutânea associada ao desequilíbrio da resposta neuroimunoendocrinológica da pele. Neste trabalho demonstramos os efeitos do produto Relievene® SK sobre a proteção do metabolismo celular, considerando as atividades adaptógena e neuroendócrina deste composto, bem como a melhora da função da barreira cutânea e da hiper-reatividade da pele em indivíduos com PS.

Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of sensitive skin consists of an inflammatory reaction resulting from the abnormal penetration in the skin of potentially irritating substances, which occurs due to skin barrier dysfunction and changes in the production of local neuromediators. AIMS: The therapeutic potential of L-carnosine and Rhodiola rosea, as antioxidant and neuromodulatory, respectively, leads us to investigate the effects of the R. rosea extract/L-carnosine-associated compound (RCAC) on sensitive skin alterations. METHODS: A double-blind comparative study was conducted on 124 volunteers with sensitive skin, who were selected by their reactivity to stinging test. Two randomized groups of 62 each received either a formulation containing 1% of RCAC or placebo, which was applied twice a day for 28 consecutive days. One perceptibility questionnaire was applied at the onset and at the end of the treatment to evaluate the subjective response to test product. Additionally, in vitro studies were performed to investigate RCAC neuroimmunomodulatory mechanisms. RESULTS: RCAC treatment produced in vivo protective effects in skin barrier function and a positive subjective response of sensitive skin volunteers. In vitro treatment promoted the release of proopiomelanocortin peptides and restored to normal the increased levels of neuropeptides and cytokines produced by keratinocytes exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Clinical effectiveness was measured by reduction of transepidermal water loss, positive perceptions of improvements in skin dryness and skin comfort sensation, and reduction of discomfort sensation after stinging test. CONCLUSIONS: The protective effect of RCAC in skin barrier function and the positive response produced in human subjects with sensitive skin could be partially explained by our in vitro results showing a significant increase in opioid peptides release, an inhibitory effect on neuropeptides production, and modulation of cytokines production by keratinocytes under ultraviolet stress.

Anticorpos anticardiolipina entre gestantes com óbito fetal / Anticardiolipin antibodies among pregnant women with fetal death

Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência de anticorpos anticardiolipina entre gestantes com óbito fetal intra-uterino. Pacientes e métodos: foi um estudo de corte transversal que avaliou 109 gestantes hospitalizadas com o diagnóstico de morte fetal intra-uterina e idade gestacional de 20 semanas ou mais, durante o período de maio de 1998 a setembro de 1999, da Maternidade da Universidade Estadual de Campinas e do Hospital Maternidade Leonor Mendes de Barros, em São Paulo. Estas mulheres foram submetidas a exames laboratoriais de rotina para a identficação da causa do óbito, incluindo a determinação sérica do anticorpo anticardiolipina, por meio dos níveis de IgG e IgM. Os resultados de IgG são expressos em unidades GPL e os de IgM em unidades MPL, sendo considerados positivos, nos dois casos, os valores acima de 10 unidades. Os procedimentos estatísticos utilizados foram o cálculo de médias, desvio padrão e comparação dos grupos por testes t de Student, Fisher e X². Resultados: a prevalência de positividade para o anticorpo anticardiolipina foi de 18,3 por cento. As mulheres eram predominantemente jovens, com média de idade em torno de 27 anos. As principais causas identificadas de morte foram: hipertensão (26,1 por cento), hemorragia durante o terceiro trimestre de gestação (9,9 por cento) e malformação fetal (8,1 por cento). Em cerca de um terço dos casos, a causa da morte fetal não foi identificada. Considerando os 20 casos com positividade para anticorpo anticardiolipina, a proporção de causas não identfcadas caiu para 29 por cento. Conclusões: é importante determinar a presença de anticorpos anticardiolipina em mulheres com perdas fetais com o propósito de elucidar outras causas de morte fetal, especialmente a síndrome antifosfolípide e demais situações corretatas. Para estes casos é necessário o aconselhamento e o tratamento destas mulheres em gravidezes futuras

Crescimento e diferenciaçäo de células hematopoiéticas in vitro: revisäo bibliográfica / Growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells in vitro: bibliographical review

Neste artigo, os autores apresentam uma revisäo suscinta do conhecimento e dos estudos experimentais com unidades formadoras de colônia

Vacination as an adjuvant to chemotherapy of Klebsiella pneumonial infection in the mouse

Nestes experimentos, estudou-se a atividade protetora da vacina produzida a partir da bactéria Klebsiella pneumoniae, em camundongos infectados com K. pneumoniae. A vacina foi administrada imediatamente após a injeçäo da bactéria, sendo portanto usada como adjuvante da quimioterapia. Os resultados mostram que a vacina, nestas circunstâncias, näo apresenta efeito protetor. Investigou-se a seguir o desenvolvimento da resposta imune tipo humoral nas condiçöes acima descritas, usando-se o método de formaçäo de placa de Jerne para detecçäo do número de células formadoras de anticorpos