Increased NTPDase activity in lymphocytes during experimental sepsis.

We investigated in rats induced to sepsis the activity of ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase; CD39; E.C. 3.6.1.5), an enzyme involved in the modulation of immune responses. After 12 hours of surgery, lymphocytes were isolated from blood and NTPDase activity was determined. It was also performed the histology of kidney, liver, and lung. The results demonstrated an increase in the hydrolysis of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) (P < 0.01), but no changes regarding adenosine-5'-monophosphate (ADP) hydrolysis (P > 0.05). Histological analysis showed several morphological changes in the septic group, such as vascular congestion, necrosis, and infiltration of mononuclear cells. It is known that the intracellular milieu contains much more ATP nucleotides than the extracellular. In this context, the increased ATPasic activity was probably induced as a dynamic response to clean up the elevated ATP levels resulting from cellular death.

An experimental model of contact dermatitis: evaluation of the oxidative profile of Wistar rats treated with free and nanoencapsulated clobetasol.

OBJECTIVE: An experimental animal model of contact dermatitis (CD) was used to investigate the effects of free and nanoencapsulated clobetasol propionate on the skin and on the oxidative profile of liver tissue. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were divided into six groups, each containing eight rats. The first group, control (C), was sensitized with solid vaseline. Group 2, (CD), was sensitized with 5% NiSO(4). Groups 3 and 4 were sensitized with 5% NiSO(4) and treated with free (FC) and nanoencapsulated (NC) clobetasol (0.42 mg/g), respectively, daily for 5 days. Group 5 was treated with nanoencapsulated clobetasol (0.42 mg/g) on days 1, 3, and 5 (C135) and group 6 received a hydrogel containing empty nanoparticles (NP) daily for 5 days. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl levels, non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NPSH) and catalase activity were measured in liver homogenates. RESULTS: A significant increase was observed in the levels of TBARS, NPSH, and catalase activity for the groups CD and NP. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that both NiSO(4) sensitization and NP administration induced oxidation of cellular lipids and activated the antioxidant enzyme catalase to protect from this damage. These results also indicated that daily treatment with the free and nanoencapsulated clobetasol, as well as treatment with the nanoencapsulated clobetasol every other day, were able to prevent these redox alterations and protect against histological damage.

Uma revisão sobre metalo β lactamases: [revisão] / A review on metallo β lactamases: [revision]

A emergência e disseminação da resistência aos antimicrobianos são problemas de grande importância mundial, particularmente entre patógenos nosocomiais de importância clínica como os bacilos Gram negativos não fermentadores e membros da família Enterobacteriaceae. O principal mecanismo de resistência desses patógenos é a produção de β-lactamases, que são enzimas que hidrolisam o anel β-lactâmico impedindo assim a ação dos antimicrobianos β-lactâmicos. As β-lactamases foram dividas em quatro classes de acordo com a sua estrutura primária e podem também ser classificadas dentro de dois grupos com base no seu mecanismo catalítico, isto é, serina-β-lactamases (Classes A, C e D) e metalo-β-lactamases (Classe B). As metalo-β-lactamases (MβL) utilizam íons divalentes, comumente zinco, como co-fator para sua atividade catalítica e são atualmente uma das classes que mais merece destaque, devido à sua capacidade de hidrolisar todos os antimicrobianos β-lactâmicos, incluindo os carbapenens. Estes antimicrobianos são utilizados no tratamento de infecções causadas por bactérias Gram-negativas multirresistentes e conseguem se manter estáveis frente às serina-β-lactamases. A detecção de microrganismos produtores de MβL tem por finalidade auxiliar a Comissão de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar (CCIH) na prevenção da disseminação desse mecanismo de resistência no ambiente hospitalar e impedir que ele chegue até a comunidade, bem como enfatizar o uso racional dos antimicrobianos disponíveis para uso clínico, pois, atualmente,há poucos investimentos da indústria farmacêutica na pesquisa de novos agentes antimicrobianos.

The emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance are problems of great importance worldwide, particularly between nosocomial pathogens of clinical importance such as nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli and members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The main mechanism of resistance these pathogens is the production of β-lactamases, which are enzymes that hydrolyzing the ring β-lactam hindering the action of antimicrobial β-lactam. The β- lactamases were classified into four classes of according its primary structure and may also be classified in two groups based on their catalytic mechanism, that is, serine-β-lactamases (Classes A, C and D) e metallo-β-lactamases (Class B). The metallo-β-lactamases (MβL) using ions divalentes, commonly zinc, as co-factor for its catalytic activity and currently represent one the most important class of enzymes, due of their ability to hydrolyze all antimicrobial β-lactam, including carbapenens, which are used in the treatment of Gram-negative bacteria multidrug-resistant and to remain stable before the serine-β-lactamases. The detection of samples producing of MβL helps infection control practioners to prevent the dissemination of this mechanism of resistance in the nosocomial environment and to prevent it come to the community, and emphasize the rational use of antimicrobial currently available for clinical use, since there are few investments in the pharmaceutical industry in search of new antimicrobial agents.