Quercetin: a flavonoid with the potential to treat asthma

Allergic asthma is a complex inflammatory disorder characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilic inflammation and hypersecretion of mucus. Current therapies include β2-agonists, cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 antagonists and corticosteroids. Although these drugs demonstrate beneficial effects, their adverse side effects limit their long-term use. Thus, the development of new compounds with similar therapeutic activities and reduced side effects is both desirable and necessary. Natural compounds are used in some current therapies, as plant-derived metabolites can relieve disease symptoms in the same manner as allopathic medicines. Quercetin is a flavonoid that is naturally found in many fruits and vegetables and has been shown to exert multiple biological effects in experimental models, including the reduction of major symptoms of asthma: bronchial hyperactivity, mucus production and airway inflammation. In this review, we discuss results from the literature that illustrate the potential of quercetin to treat asthma and its exacerbations.A asma alérgica é uma doença inflamatória complexa caracterizada por hiperresponsividade das vias aéreas, inflamação eosinofílica e hipersecreção de muco. As terapias atuais incluem β2-agonistas, antagonistas do receptor 1 de cisteinil leucotrienos e corticosteróides. Embora estes fármacos demonstrem efeitos benéficos, seus efeitos adversos limitam seus usos a longo prazo. Assim, o desenvolvimento de novos compostos com atividades terapêuticas similares e reduzido efeitos adversos é tanto desejável quanto necessário. Compostos naturais podem ser utilizados nas terapias atuais, uma vez que metabólitos derivados de plantas são capazes de aliviar os sintomas de forma comparável aos medicamentos alopáticos. A quercetina é um flavonóide que ocorre naturalmente em muitas frutas e vegetais e tem mostrado vários efeitos biológicos, principalmente em modelos experimentais, incluindo a redução dos principais fenótipos da asma: hiperreatividade brônquica, produção de muco e inflamação das vias aéreas. Nesta revisão, nós discutimos os resultados da literatura que revelam o potencial da quercetina para tratar a asma e suas exacerbações

Bone: the final frontier for Staphylococcus aureus penetration in chronic rhinosinusitis

The superantigenic properties of Staphylococcus aureus have been implicated in increasing the inflammatory process in airway diseases. Local formation of IgE antibodies against staphylococcal enterotoxins by secondary lymphoid tissue in nasal polyps has been demonstrated. Staphylococcus aureus is known to colonize the nasal mucosa, and has been found invading the nasal submucosa and intracellularly.Objective: To evaluate the limits of Staphylococcus aureus invasion in the upper airway.Material and methods: Inferior turbinate samples from 3 patients without sinus disease, 6 ethmoid samples from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and 6 ethmoid samples from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis were studied. A fluorescein-labeled PNA probe against Staphylococcus aureus was used to test for the presence of the bacterium in bone (after decalcification) and mucosa.Results: We found Staphylococcus aureus invading the nasal submucosa in patients with nasal polyposis, but no cases of Staphylococcus aureus positivity in bone. in conclusion, we cannot support the hypothesis of nasal bone as a reservoir for Staphylococcus aureus, releasing massive amounts of staphylococcal enterotoxins and eliciting an inflammatory reaction, as occurs with the nasal mucosa.Univ São Paulo, Dept Otorhinolaryngol, São Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo State Mil Police, Mil Police Hosp, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo Unifesp, Dept Otorhinolaryngol, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo Unifesp, Dept Immunol, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo Unifesp, Dept Otorhinolaryngol, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo Unifesp, Dept Immunol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Prevalence of treponema Spp. in endodontic retreatment-resistant periapical lesions

This study investigated the presence of the Treponema species in longstanding endodontic retreatment-resistant lesions of teeth with apical periodontitis, the association of this species with clinical/radiographic features, and the association among the different target species. Microbial samples of apical lesions were collected from twenty-five adult patients referred to endodontic surgery after unsuccessful root canal retreatment. Nested-PCR and conventional PCR were used for Treponema detection. Twenty-three periradicular tissue samples showed detectable levels of bacterial DNA. Treponema species were detected in 28% (7/25) of the cases. The most frequently detected species were T. socranskii (6/25), followed by T. maltophilum (3/25), T. amylovorum (3/25), T. lecithinolyticum (3/25), T. denticola (3/25), T. pectinovorum (2/25) and T. medium (2/25). T. vicentii was not detected in any sample. Positive statistical association was found between T. socranskii and T. denticola, and between T. maltophilum and T. lecithinolyticum. No association was detected between the presence of any target microorganism and the clinical or radiographic features. Treponema spp. are present, in a low percentage, in longstanding apical lesions from teeth with endodontic retreatment failure291CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES302575/2009-0sem informaçã

Differential expression of cysteine desulfurases in soybean

Background: Iron-sulfur [Fe-S] clusters are prosthetic groups required to sustain fundamental life processes including electron transfer, metabolic reactions, sensing, signaling, gene regulation and stabilization of protein structures. In plants, the biogenesis of Fe-S protein is compartmentalized and adapted to specific needs of the cell. Many environmental factors affect plant development and limit productivity and geographical distribution. The impact of these limiting factors is particularly relevant for major crops, such as soybean, which has worldwide economic importance. Results: Here we analyze the transcriptional profile of the soybean cysteine desulfurases NFS1, NFS2 and ISD11 genes, involved in the biogenesis of [Fe-S] clusters, by quantitative RT-PCR. NFS1, ISD11 and NFS2 encoding two mitochondrial and one plastid located proteins, respectively, are duplicated and showed distinct transcript levels considering tissue and stress response. NFS1 and ISD11 are highly expressed in roots, whereas NFS2 showed no differential expression in tissues. Cold-treated plants showed a decrease in NFS2 and ISD11 transcript levels in roots, and an increased expression of NFS1 and ISD11 genes in leaves. Plants treated with salicylic acid exhibited increased NFS1 transcript levels in roots but lower levels in leaves. In silico analysis of promoter regions indicated the presence of different cis-elements in cysteine desulfurase genes, in good agreement with differential expression of each locus. Our data also showed that increasing of transcript levels of mitochondrial genes, NFS1/ISD11, are associated with higher activities of aldehyde oxidase and xanthine dehydrogenase, two cytosolic Fe-S proteins. Conclusions: Our results suggest a relationship between gene expression pattern, biochemical effects, and transcription factor binding sites in promoter regions of cysteine desulfurase genes. Moreover, data show proportionality between NFS1 and ISD11 genes expression

Prática de atividade fí­sica e ambiente percebido de usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde

Objective: to analyze the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and active commuting with the perception of the environment in people with chronic non-communicable diseases. Methods: cross-sectional study consisting of 719 SUS users. For data collection, the IPAQ and the Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale were used. Pearson’s chi-square test and logistic regression model were used. Results: of the 719 (100%), 512 (71.2%) participants were female and 504 (70.1%) reported having a chronic non-communicable disease. There are no relationships between women with chronic disease and perception of the environment for the practice of physical activity during leisure and active commuting. On the other hand, men and the elderly were more likely to be more active in the practice of physical activity. Conclusion: interventions to increase the practice of physical activity in women should be implemented in order to prevent and treat chronic non-communicable diseases.Objetivo: analizar la relación entre la actividad física com el nfer libre y los desplazamientos activos com la percepción del entorno com personas com nfermidades crónicas no transmisibles. Métodos: nfermi transversal compuesto por 719 usuarios del SUS. Para la recolección de datos, se utilizaron el IPAQ y la Escala de Caminabilidad Ambiental del Vecindario. Se nfermi la prueba de chi-cuadrado de Pearson y el modelo de regresión logística. Resultados: de los 719 (100%), 512 (71,2%) participantes eran mujeres y 504 (70,1%) informaron tener com enfermedad crónica no transmisible. No existen relaciones entre mujeres com enfermedad crónica y percepción del entorno para la práctica de actividad física durante el nfe y los desplazamientos activos. Por com lado, los hombres y los ancianos tenían más probabilidades de ser más activos com la práctica de actividad física. Conclusión: se deben implementar intervenciones para incrementar la práctica de actividad física com las mujeres com el fin de prevenir y tratar las nfermidades crónicas no transmisibles.Objetivo: analisar a relação da atividade fí­sica no lazer e de deslocamento ativo com a percepção do ambiente em pessoas com doenças crônicas não transmissí­veis. Métodos: estudo transversal constituí­do por 719 usuários do SUS. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se o IPAQ e o Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale. Utilizou-se o teste qui-quadrado de Pearson e o modelo de regressão logí­stica. Resultados: dos 719 (100%), 512 (71,2%) participantes eram do sexo feminino e 504 (70,1%) relataram ter doença crônica não transmissí­vel. Não há relações entre mulheres com doença crônica e percepção do ambiente para a prática de atividade fí­sica no lazer e de deslocamento ativo. Por outro lado, os homens e os idosos apresentaram maior chance de serem mais ativos para a prática de atividade fí­sica. Conclusão: intervenções para incrementar a prática de atividade fí­sica em mulheres devem ser implementadas com vistas a prevenção e tratamento das doenças crônicas não transmissí­veis.Fil: Parisi Hodniki, Paula. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: de Souza Teixeira, Carla Regina. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Zanetti, Maria Lúcia. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: de Moraes, Camila. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Fermino, Rogerio Cesar. Universidade Tecnologia Federal do Parana; BrasilFil: Berra, Silvina del Valle. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad; Argentin

Effects of immunosuppression with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil on renal histology and function in single kidney rats submitted to ischemia and reperfusion

To evaluate renal histological changes and renal function in single kidney rats submitted to renal ischemia-reperfusion and to immunosuppression with tacrolimus and mycophenolate-mofetil. Experimental study with 80 Wistar rats distributed into control, Sham and six other groups treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Animals undergoing surgery, right nephrectomy and left renal clamping, killed on the 14th day and analyzed for renal histology, urea and creatinine. The group receiving tacrolimus at higher doses (T3) showed renal histological lesions indicative of early nephrotoxicity, and significant increase in urea and creatinine. The group M (mycophenolate-mofetil alone) and the group M2 (mycophenolate-mofetil combined with half the usual dose of tacrolimus) presented a slight rise in serum urea. The groups using mycophenolate-mofetil alone or combined with tacrolimus showed creatinine levels similar to that of the group T3. Histologically, the association of injury by ischemia-reperfusion with the use of tacrolimus or mycophenolatemofetil alone demonstrated a higher rate of renal changes typical of early nephrotoxicity. In laboratory, the combination of injury by ischemia-reperfusion with tacrolimus at higher doses proved to be nephrotoxic30212713