Exploring the neuroprotective potential of antimicrobial peptides from Dinoponera quadriceps venom against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in vivo.

Epilepsy affects around 50 million people worldwide and 30% of patients have difficulty controlling the disease. The search for substances that can fill the existing gaps in the treatment of epilepsy is of great importance. Arthropod venoms are promising sources for this purpose due to the presence of small peptides that modulate the activity of ion channels and neuron receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate dinoponeratoxins from the Dinoponera quadriceps ant venom (M-PONTX-Dq3a, M-PONTX-Dq3b and M-PONTX-Dq3c) as potential anticonvulsants. We evaluated them in a seizure model induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in male swiss mice. Interestingly, intraperitoneal treatment with each peptide increased the time until the first seizure and the percentage of survival, with M-PONTX-Dq3b showing the best results. M-PONTX-Dq3a was discarded due to the appearance of some signs of toxicity with the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the striatum. Both, M-PONTX-Dq3b and M-PONTX-Dq3c decreased iNOS and TNF-α in the hippocampus. Notably, M-PONTX-Dq3c treatment decreased the levels of MDA and nitrite in the cortex and hippocampus. Our results indicate that, M-PONTX-Dq3b and M-PONTX-Dq3c have anticonvulsant activity and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in epilepsy, offering new perspectives for biopharmaceutical development.

Assessment of the need for routine intraoperative cell salvage in liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the necessity of routine intraoperative cell salvage in liver transplantations. METHODS: A total of 327 liver transplants performed between 2014 and 2016 was included in the analysis. Patient data, including pre-transplant examinations, intraoperative red blood cell transfusions, and procedural information, were collected. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 54 years old, with 67% (219) being male. The most prevalent ABO blood type was O, accounting for 48% (155) of cases. The leading causes of liver disease were hepatitis C (113 cases, 34.6%) and alcohol-related liver disease (97 cases, 29.7%). Out of the 327 liver transplants, allogeneic red blood cell transfusions were administered in 110 cases (34%) with a median of two units of red blood cells per case. Cell salvage was employed in 237 transplants (73%), and successful blood recovery was achieved in 221 cases (93%). Among the group that recovered more than 200 mL of blood, the median volume of recovered blood was 417 mL, with no transfusion of allogeneic blood required. A total of 90 transplants was performed without utilizing cell salvage, and, among these cases, 19 required blood transfusions, with a median of zero units transfused. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that routine cell salvage is unnecessary for all liver transplantations. The most suitable indication for its use is in patients presenting with portal vein thrombosis and abnormal creatinine levels.

Assessment of the need for routine intraoperative cell salvage in liver transplantation

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the necessity of routine intraoperative cell salvage in liver transplantations. Methods: A total of 327 liver transplants performed between 2014 and 2016 was included in the analysis. Patient data, including pre-transplant examinations, intraoperative red blood cell transfusions, and procedural information, were collected. Results: The median age of the patients was 54 years old, with 67% (219) being male. The most prevalent ABO blood type was O, accounting for 48% (155) of cases. The leading causes of liver disease were hepatitis C (113 cases, 34.6%) and alcohol-related liver disease (97 cases, 29.7%). Out of the 327 liver transplants, allogeneic red blood cell transfusions were administered in 110 cases (34%) with a median of two units of red blood cells per case. Cell salvage was employed in 237 transplants (73%), and successful blood recovery was achieved in 221 cases (93%). Among the group that recovered more than 200 mL of blood, the median volume of recovered blood was 417 mL, with no transfusion of allogeneic blood required. A total of 90 transplants was performed without utilizing cell salvage, and, among these cases, 19 required blood transfusions, with a median of zero units transfused. Conclusions: This study suggests that routine cell salvage is unnecessary for all liver transplantations. The most suitable indication for its use is in patients presenting with portal vein thrombosis and abnormal creatinine levels.

The Protein-Rich Fraction from Spirulina platensis Exerts Neuroprotection in Hemiparkinsonian Rats by Decreasing Brain Inflammatory-Related Enzymes and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expressions.

Spirulina platensis is a cyanobacterium with high protein content and presenting neuroprotective effects. Now, we studied a protein-enriched fraction (SPF), on behavior, neurochemical and immunohistochemical (IHC) assays in hemiparkinsonian rats, distributed into the groups: SO (sham-operated), 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and 6-OHDA (treated with SPF, 5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o., 15 days). Afterward, animals were subjected to behavioral tests and euthanized, and brain areas used for neurochemical and IHC assays. SPF partly reversed the changes in the apomorphine-induced rotations, open field and forced swim tests, and also the decrease in striatal dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid contents seen in hemiparkinsonian rats. Furthermore, SPF reduced brain oxidative stress and increased striatal expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter and significantly reduced hippocampal inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expressions. The data suggest that the protein fraction from S. platensis, through its brain anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions, exerts neuroprotective effects that could benefit patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's disease.

Atividade anti-inflamatória e antinociceptiva da N-Metil-Trans-4-Hidroxi-L-Prolina isolado das folhas de Sideroxylon obtusifolium

Sideroxylum obtusifolium (Humb. ex. Roem. & Schult) T.B. Penn (Sapotaceae) de ocorrência comum na América do Sul, é conhecida no Nordeste do Brasil como “quixabeira”. Os decoctos da cascado caulee das folhas são utilizados na medicina popular como anti-inflamatório. O presente estudo avaliou in vitroe in vivoas propriedades anti-inflamatórias e antinociceptivas do composto N-metil-trans-4-hidroxi-L-prolina (NMP) isolado das folhas de Sideroxylon obtusifolium. Camundongos Swissmachos (25-30g; n=8-10) foram utilizados nos testes da formalina, contorções abdominais induzidas por ácido acético, capsaicina e Von-Frey. Os efeitos anti-inflamatórios foram investigados através dos testes do edema depata e de peritonite, ambos induzidos por carragenina. Foram investigados possíveis mecanismos de ação da NMP através de bloqueio farmacológico por naloxona, ioimbina e glibenclamida. As patas inflamadas pela carragenina foram coletadaseem seguida encaminhadas para o estudo histológico e ensaio imunohistoquímico para TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2 e NF-kB. Foi verificada a participação de neutrófilos através da dosagem de mieloperoxidade (MPO) e a atividade antioxidante foi testada pelo método de DPPH.Os resultados mostraram redução de 35, 42 e 52% na 1º fase (neurogênica) e de 30, 61 e 78% na 2º fase (inflamatória) do teste de formalina, eem 34, 53 e 72% nas contorções abdominais/20 min, induzidas por ácido acético,nas doses de 25, 50 e 100 mg/kg, respectivamente (P<0,05). A NMP (100 mg/kg) diminuiu a hipernocicepção no teste da capsaicina e de Von-Frey (P<0,05). Houve redução do edema após os tratamentos com a NMP em todos os períodos (P<0,05)...

Sideroxylum obtusifolium(Humb. Ex. Roem. & Schult) T. B. Penn (Sapotaceae) of common occurrence in South America, is known in the Northeast of Brazil as "Quixabeira". The decoctions from the stem bark and leaves are used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory. The present study evaluated by in vitro and in vivo models the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the compound N-methyl-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (NMP) isolated from the leaves of Sideroxylon obtusifolium. Male Swiss mice (25-30 g; n = 8-10) were used in the tests of formalin, abdominal contractions induced by aceticacid, capsaicin and von-Frey. Anti-inflammatory effects were investigated using the tests of paw edema and peritonitis, both induced by carrageenan. We investigated possible mechanisms of action of NMP through the pharmacological blockade by naloxone, yohimbine and glibenclamide. Furthermore, the inflamed legs by carrageenan were collected and then sent for histological and immunohistochemical assay for TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2 and NF-kB. The participation of neutrophils was verified by myeloperoxidase dosage (MPO) and the antioxidant activity was tested by the DPPH method. The results showed reductions of 35, 42 and 52% in the 1st phase (neurogenic) and of 30, 61 and 78% in the 2nd phase (inflammatory) of the formalin test, and of 34, 53 and 72% in the writhings /20 min induced by acetic acid at the doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg / kg, respectively (P <0.05). NMP (100 mg / kg) reduced the hyperalgesia in the capsaicin and Von-Frey tests (P <0.05). There was a reduction of edema after treatment with NMP at all periods (P <0.05)...

Efeito antibacteriano e anti-inflamatório tópico do extrato metanólico de Chenopodium ambrosioides L / Antibacterial and topical anti-inflammatory effect of methanol extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides L

A utilização de plantas medicinais é uma prática comum nos países, fazendo parte da cultura popular como forma de tratamento de diferentes patologias. A planta Chenopodium ambrosioides L., conhecida popularmente como mastruz, é utilizada na medicina popular no tratamento de bronquite crônica, tuberculose, contusões, hérnias e fraturas, tendo algumas atividades comprovadas cientificamente como ação vermífuga e antimicrobiana. Dessa forma, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o perfil químico e investigar a atividade antibacteriana, moduladora de antibióticos e anti-inflamatória tópica do extrato metanólico obtido das folhas de Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Na prospecção fitoquímica do extrato, foram verificados diferentes metabólitos que possuem várias atividades biológicas, e na dosagem dos fenóis totais foram verificados 21,0 mg/g equivalente de ácido gálico, sendo a quantificação de flavonoides encontrado um total de 135,4 mg/g de quercetina. Não houve atividade antibacteriana, porém detectou-se modulação quando o extrato foi associado aos aminoglicosídeos contra cepas de E. coli e Staphylococcus aureus. Nos testes para inflamação aguda, o extrato apresentou um potencial antiedematogênico nas concentrações de 25 e 50 mg. Diante dos resultados, pode-se correlacionar o conhecimento empírico das pessoas, às propriedades biológicas observadas nessa pesquisa, esta podendo ser importante para futura validação dessas propriedades etnomedicinais.(AU)

The use of medicinal plants is a common practice in countries as part of popular culture as a treatment of different pathologies. The Chenopodium ambrosioides L. plant, popularly known as Mastruz, is used in folk medicine to treat chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, bruises, fractures and hernias, and some activities scientifically proven as anthelmintic and antimicrobial action. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the chemical profile and investigate the antibacterial activity, modulator of antibiotics and topical anti-inflammatory of methanol extract obtained from Chenopodium ambrosioides L. leaves. In the phytochemical extract prospecting, they were checked different metabolites that have multiple biological activity, and the dosage of total phenols were checked 21.0 mg / g gallic acid equivalent, and the quantification of flavonoids found a total of 135.4 mg / g quercetin. There was no antibacterial activity, but modulation was detected when the extract was associated with aminoglycosides against strains of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In tests for acute inflammation, the extract showed an antiedematogenic potential at concentrations of 25 and 50 mg. Given the results, we can correlate the empirical knowledge of people; the biological properties observed in this study, this may be important for future validation of these ethnomedicinal properties.(AU)