Imunomodulação do extrato de Lippia sidoides na atividade funcional de fagocitos do sangue periferico humano / Immunomodulation of Lippia sidoides extract in the functional activity of phagocytes in human peripheral blood

O uso de plantas medicinais vem sido notada desde antes do início da civilização, para cura de doenças, como cicatrizantes entre outros. Um exemplo de planta com essa característica é a Líppia sidoides, pertencente à família verbanacea. É popularmente chamada de Alecrim pimenta, encontra-se em sua composição um óleo rico em Timol e Carvacrol que apresentam atividades microbicidas. A bactéria Escherichia coli, faz parte do grupo das bactérias Gram negativas, anaeróbicas facultativas que por muito tempo foram dadas como inofensivas. Mas essa visão mudou quando se descobriu que algumas cepas de Escherichia coli estavam causando diarreia em humanos e em alguns animais domésticos, então foi classificada como Escherichia coli enteropatogênica (EPEC). A transmissão dessa bactéria se dá por ingestão de água e alimentos contaminados e devido essa fácil transmissão e as cepas da EPEC serem multirresistentes à drogas convencionais o aumento de busca por produtos naturais que contenham atividade microbicida tem se tornado um campo de estudo promissor. Visto isso, no presente estudo propomos avaliar o potencial imunomodulador do extrato etanólico de ¬ L. sidoides, em fagócitos do sangue periférico humano na presença da Escherichia coli enteropatogênica. Para obtenção de fagócitos coletou-se 12 amostras de sangue de indivíduos saudáveis na faixa etária de 18 a 40 anos. E posteriormente foram realizadas subculturas de E. coli enteropatogênica, em fase de crescimento exponencial. Na preparação do extrato foram coletadas as folhas de L. sidoides e foi dividida em duas etapas: alcoolatura e destilação. As outras partes do vegetal foram maceradas e colocadas em frascos de vidro. Os Fagócitos e a EPEC foram incubados na presença da L. sidoides durante 2 horas, e após este período foi avaliada a atividade dos fagócitos mononucleares através da análise da liberação de ânion superóxido. A fagocitose e a atividade microbicida foram avaliados pela técnica de acridina orange. A análise estatística foi obtida através da análise de variância (ANOVA, um critério) seguida do teste Tukey. Notou-se um aumento na produção de ânion pelos fagócitos na presença da L. sidoides entre o grupo controle e o tratado,  tendo como média e desvio padrão respectivamente (10,13 ± 1,66), associado ao aumento da fagocitose e atividade microbicida  dessas células. A partir destes dados concluímos que a L. Sidoides exerce atividade estimulante às células fagocitárias promovendo a morte da bactéria, demostrando ser um futuro produto alvo a ser usado na terapia antimicrobiana. 

Immunomodulatory effects of herbal plants plus melatonin on human blood phagocytes

It has been shown a mixture of seven herbal plants was able to trigger cell oxidative mechanism and subsequently inducing cellular activation. Moreover, melatonin hormone has also been shown to perform different actions on the cellular oxidative metabolism. It is possible that the herbal mixture associated with melatonin can activate phagocytes, improving microbicidal activity and further ameliorating resistence to the infections. The aim of this work was to verify in vitro immunomodulatory effects of melatonin and a medicinal plants mixture on blood mononuclear phagocytes (MN). We collected 40 blood samples from normal individuals to obtain the phagocytes. The MN phagocytes were separated by Ficoll-Paque gradient. Preparation of plant extract to obtain the herbal mixture was carried through the process of maceration followed by distillation. Phagocytosis and microbicidal activity of blood phagocytes, treated or not with exogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD), against enterophathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) were evaluated by acridine orange method. The herbal mixture and/or melatonin were added to the cell suspensions as immunomodulators. We observed increased phagocytosis and microbicidal activities by blood MN phagocytes in the presence of melatonin or the herbal mixture. The association of both potentiated the functional activity of blood MN phagocytes. Phagocytes previously treated by exogenous SOD had decreased microbicidal activity independently of immunomodulators. These data suggest that the herbal mixture is a potent immunostimulatory agent, and that the interaction between plant and hormones may represent an alternative mechanism of defense against infection, especially in immunosuppressed patients.Keywords: herbal mixture, melatonin, blood phagocytes, phagocytosis, superoxid

Relationship of Parasitic Index and Cytokine Profile in Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum (L. chagasi) that infects cells of the monocyte-phagocyte system. This work aims to describe the bone marrow parasitism in dogs naturally infected by L. chagasi, and to correlate with serum concentrations of cytokines and antibody level. It evaluated 42 dogs, 21 uninfected and 21 infected by L. infantum, of both sexes and of different ages; dogs were classified into three clinical stages: stage I, mild disease; stage II, moderate disease; and stage III, severe disease. Parasitic index was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cytokine serum concentration by flow cytometry. The average parasitic index of infected dogs was 4.59 × 1010 copies/μl. IL-4 and TNF-α concentrations were higher in infected dogs than in the control group. Antibody levels were positively correlated with IL-4 expression. There was a significant positive correlation of IL-6 cytokine levels with the evolution of stages I and III. Antibody levels were positively correlated with IL-4 expression. There was a significant positive correlation of IL-6 cytokine levels with the evolution of stages I and III. However, this cytokine can be used as a marker to distinguish between different clinical stages

Modulation of Human Colostrum Phagocyte Activity by the Glycine-Adsorbed Polyethylene Glycol Microspheres

Colostrum is a secretion that contains immunologically active components, including immunocompetent cells and glycine, which has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cytoprotective effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adsorption of glycine onto polyethylene glycol (PEG) microspheres and to verify the immunomodulatory effect of this nanomaterial on human colostrum phagocytes. The PEG microspheres were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. The effects of PEG microspheres with adsorbed glycine on viability, superoxide release, phagocytosis, microbicidal activity, and intracellular calcium release of mononuclear (MN) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) colostrum phagocytes were determined. Fluorescence microscopy analyses revealed that glycine was able to be adsorbed to the PEG microspheres. The PMN phagocytes exposed to glycine-PEG microspheres showed the highest superoxide levels. The phagocytes (both MN and PMN) displayed increased microbicidal activity and intracellular calcium release in the presence of PEG microspheres with adsorbed glycine. These data suggest that the adsorption of PEG microspheres with adsorbed glycine was able to stimulate the colostrum phagocytes. This material may represent a possible alternative therapy for future clinical applications on patients with gastrointestinal infections

GESTAÇÃO PRECOCE E RE-INCIDÊNCIA DE GESTAÇÕES EM ADOLESCENTES E MULHERES DE UMA UNIDADE DE ESTRATÉGIA DE SAÚDE DA FAMÍLIA (ESF 302).

INTRODUÇÃO: A gravidez na adolescência está associada a diversos problemas físicos, sociais e emocionais que revelam um importante problema de Saúde Coletiva. Nos últimos anos, vários estudos têm reportado que a gravidez na adolescência pode trazer conseqüências negativas tanto para a mãe quanto para o bebê. OBJETIVO: O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o perfil de gestantes adolescentes atendidas no Programa da Saúde da Família (PSF) 302 da cidade de Aragarças, GO. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 54 gestantes na faixa etária de 15 a 40 anos. O método utilizado foi o de entrevista com questionário contendo perguntas relacionadas à vida pessoal da mãe, à gravidez, além dos fatores associados à ocorrência da gestação. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que 18% das gestantes eram adolescentes, destas 40% foram reincidentes e 30% solteiras. Entre as adolescentes 88% não exerciam atividades remuneradas e estavam com as atividades escolares comprometidas. Quando se avaliou o índice de gravidez não planejada, 75% relataram não ter planejado a gravidez. CONCLUSÃO: Estes dados reforçam a falta de educação sexual e planejamento familiar entre as jovens residentes na cidade de Aragarças (Goiás), indicando assim a necessidade de programas de prevenção de gravidez na adolescência

Brazilian Propolis: A Natural Product That Improved the Fungicidal Activity by Blood Phagocytes

Natural product incorporation into microcarriers increases the bioavailability of these compounds, consequently improving their therapeutic properties. Natural products, particularly those from bees such as propolis, are widely used in popular medicine. Propolis is a powerful treatment for several diseases. In this context, the present study evaluated the effect of propolis Scaptotrigona sp. and its fractions, alone or adsorbed to polyethylene glycol (PEG) microspheres, on the activity of human phagocytes against Candida albicans. The results show that propolis exerts a stimulatory effect on these cells to assist in combating the fungus, especially as the crude extract is compared with the fractions. However, when incorporated into microspheres, these properties were significantly potentiated. These results suggest that propolis adsorbed onto PEG microspheres has immunostimulatory effects on phagocytes in human blood. Therefore, propolis may potentially be an additional natural product that can be used for a variety of therapies

Transfer of maternal immunity to newborns of diabetic mothers

This study was carried out with hyperglycemic pregnant women to investigate the transfer of antibody classes to newborns across the placenta or by colostrum and the functional activity of phagocytes in maternal blood, cord blood, and colostrum from diabetes mothers. Samples from maternal blood, cord blood, and colostrum were collected from 20 normoglycemic and 20 hyperglycemic pregnant women. We determined antibodies levels, superoxide release, phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of phagocytes. We demonstrated that IgG levels in cord blood were higher in the hyperglycemic group. IgA and IgM levels were higher in maternal than in cord blood samples. Plasma antibody levels were lower in hyper-than in normoglycemic women. The colostrum of diabetic mothers had lower IgA and IgG levels. Colostrum and maternal blood phagocytes when exposed to EPEC increased the superoxide release. Cord blood phagocytes of hyperglycemic group, independently of bacteria, had higher superoxide release. Colostrum and blood phagocytes from diabetic group exhibited some phagocytic and microbicidal activity in response to EPEC. Mononuclear phagocytes from cord blood had the lowest phagocytosis, and bactericidal activity for EPEC, regardless of glycemic status. These data showed that hyperglycemia altered IgG transfer across the placenta and decreases immunoglobulin levels in maternal blood and colostrum

Effects of Cytokines IFN-γ and TGF-β on the Functional Activity of Blood Mononuclear Cells against Giardia lamblia

Background: This study aimed to analyze cultures of mononuclear (MN) cells with Giardia lamblia to determine the levels of the cytokines IFN-γ and TGF-β and the functional activity of MN cells after incubation with cytokines. Methods: This study was conducted in 2018 in Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 60 healthy volunteer donors to obtain leukocytes. The levels of IFN-γ and TGF-β were quantified in trophozoite cell culture supernatants. Superoxide release, phagocytosis, microbicidal activity, apoptosis and intracellular calcium release were analyzed. Results: The cytokines evaluated were detected in the culture supernatant of MN cells and G. lamblia. Regardless of the type of cytokine, MN cells increased superoxide release in the presence of G. lamblia. Phagocytosis, microbicidal activity and apoptosis were higher when MN phagocytes were treated with cytokines. The highest microbicidal activity and apoptosis rates were observed in MN cells cultured with TGF-β. IFN-γ increased the release of intracellular calcium by MN phagocytes. Conclusion: Cytokines play a beneficial role in the host by activating MN cells against G. lamblia. In addition, phagocytosis causes G. lamblia death and that the modulation of the functional activity of blood MN phagocytes by cytokines is an alternative mechanism for eliminating G. lamblia

Melatonin Nanoparticles Adsorbed to Polyethylene Glycol Microspheres as Activators of Human Colostrum Macrophages

The effectiveness of hormones associated with polymeric matrices has amplified the possibility of obtaining new drugs to activate the immune system. Melatonin has been reported as an important immunomodulatory agent that can improve many cell activation processes. It is possible that the association of melatonin with polymers could influence its effects on cellular function. Thus, this study verified the adsorption of the hormone melatonin to polyethylene glycol (PEG) microspheres and analyzed its ability to modulate the functional activity of human colostrum phagocytes. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analyses revealed that melatonin was able to adsorb to the PEG microspheres. This system increased the release of superoxide and intracellular calcium. There was an increase of phagocytic and microbicidal activity by colostrum phagocytes when in the presence of melatonin adsorbed to PEG microspheres. The modified delivery of melatonin adsorbed to PEG microspheres may be an additional mechanism for its microbicidal activity and represents an important potential treatment for gastrointestinal infections of newborns