Bioconjugate based on cisplatin and bacterial exopolysaccharide with reduced side effects: A novel proposal for cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: In the search for alternatives that attenuate the toxicity associated to oncologic treatment with cisplatin (CDDP) and considering the potential health-beneficial properties of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by lactic acid bacteria, it was aimed on this study to evaluate the cytotoxic, toxicologic and antitumoral efficacy of a bioconjugate based on CDDP and EPS, on the experimental tumor of sarcoma 180. METHODS: After the synthesis of the cis-[Pt(NH3)2(Cl)2] complex and of the conjugate containing Lactobacillus fermentum exopolysaccharide was tested both in vitro and in vivo for evaluating the acute toxicity. RESULTS: The antitumoral study was performed using mice transplanted with sarcoma 180. The bioconjugate showed low to medium cytotoxicity for the cell lines tested, as well moderated acute toxicity. After determining the LD50, the following experimental groups were established for the antitumor assay: Control (NaCl 0,9%), CDDP (1 mg/kg), EPS and bioconjugate composition (200 mg/kg). The bioconjugate promoted a 38% regression in tumor mass when compared to the control, and a regression of 41% when compared to CDDP. Liver histopathological analysis revealed discrete alterations in animals treated with (CDDP + EPS) when compared to control. The bioconjugate also minimized changes in the renal parenchyma resulting from the tumor. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that when CDDP is associated with EPS, this composition was more biocompatible, showing itself as a potent chemotherapeutic agent and lower tissue toxicity.

Anatomical aspects of the placenta of the sloth, Bradypus variegatus, Schinz, 1825

Sloth plows euterians mammals, belonging to the order Edentata, sub-order Xenarthra, infra-order Tardigrada, family Bradipodidae, which comprehend three specimen, Bradypus tridadctylus, Bradypus variegates and Bradypus torquatus. They plows few work found in the literature related to the anatomy of the placenta of this specimen. The material used in this research was consisted of 3 placentas of Bradypus variegatus of adult females (Briton, 1941) original of the Forests of the City of Recife and Zone of the Forest of the State of Pernambuco with average weight 4,2 Kg. Placentas were fixed in buffered glutaraldehyed 4 per cent, pH 7,4, 0,1M and processed goes optical microscopy. Macroscopically was observed that the placenta of the sloth is composed of discoidal lobes and had the fundal position of the uterine cavity. The fetal membranes identified were chorium, applied on the uterine surface and, amnion adherent to inner face of chorium. In the specimen examined presented vestige of allantois sack and vitelline sack in these gestational phase. Anatomically, placenta of Bradypus variegatus could be classified like chorium-amniotic. Microscopic analysis of the placenta showed endothelial cells of maternal vessel hypertrophied and fetal components without cellular limits identified. The fetal tissue presented an epithelioid aspect with fetal vessel surrounded to connective tissue and epithelioid cells or next to maternal vessel. According our description, Placenta of Bradypus variegatus could be classified microscopically in syndesmochorial and endotheliochorial