Susceptibility of clinical isolates of candida to photodynamic effects of curcumin

Background and Objective:\ud The resistance of Candida species to antifungals represents a major challenge for therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. This study evaluated photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by Curcumin (CUR) against clinical isolates of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata, both in planktonic and biofilm forms.\ud \ud Study Design/Materials and Methods:\ud Suspensions of Candida were treated with three CUR concentrations and exposed to four LED fluences. The protocol that showed the best outcomes for inactivation of the planktonic phase was selected to be evaluated against Candida biofilms. In addition, two higher CUR concentrations were tested. The metabolic activity of biofilms was evaluated by means of XTT reduction assay and the biofilm biomass was evaluated using crystal violet (CV) staining assay. Data were analyzed in a mixed model nested ANOVA, Wilcoxon's nonparametric tests, and the Kruskal–Wallis test (α = 5%).\ud \ud Results:\ud The use of CUR in association with light was able to promote a significant antifungal effect against the planktonic form of the yeasts. When using 40 µM of CUR, the metabolic activity of C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis biofilms was reduced by 85%, 85%, and 73%, respectively, at 18 J/cm2. CUR-mediated PDT also decreased the biofilm biomass of all species evaluated. In addition, CV staining showed that C. albicans isolates were strong biofilm-forming strains, when compared with C. glabrata and C. tropicalis isolates.\ud \ud Conclusion:\ud The results from the present investigation showed that low CUR concentrations can be highly effective for inactivating Candida isolates when associated with light excitation.FAPESP (08/03994-9; 08/00601-6

Castro Lusitano Virtual: Software Livre e Património Virtual

O presente texto apresenta os objetivos e atual estado de desenvolvimento do projeto Castro Lusitano Virtual, um ambiente tridimensional interativo representativo de um povoado da Idade do Ferro da região Centro de Portugal, juntamente com a descrição de alguns conceitos que constituem o respetivo enquadramento e fundamentos do projeto. A Arqueologia e o Património Virtual são convocados nesse sentido, assim como a ecologia de conceitos e práticas em torno do Software Livre, incluindo cultura livre. O Castro Lusitano Virtual pode ser considerado como um recurso educacional aberto (Open Educational Resource), discutindo-se ideias sobre a sua utilização, nomeadamente distinguindo o aluno como explorador e como criador de ambiente tridimensionais. A utilização do projeto é focada, neste artigo, no contexto escolar, nomeadamente no ensino da História

Free Radical Scavenging Profile and Myeloperoxidase Inhibition of Extracts from Antidiabetic Plants: Bauhinia forficata and Cissus sicyoides

There is abundant evidence that reactive oxygen species are implicated in several physiological and pathological processes. To protect biological targets from oxidative damage, antioxidants must react with radicáis and other reactive species faster than biological substrates do. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from leaves of Bauhinia forficata Link (Fabaceae - Caesalpinioideae) and Cissus sicyoides L. (Vitaceae) (two medicinal plants used popularly in the control of diabetes mellitus), using several different assay systems, namely, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) decolorization, superoxide anión radical (0(2)•-) scavenging and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. In the ABTS assay for total antioxidant activity, B. forficata showed IC50 = 8.00±0.07 μg/mL, while C. sicyoides showed IC50 = 13.0±0.2 μg/mL. However, the extract of C. sicyoides had a stronger effect on 0(2)•- (IC50 = 60.0±2.3 μg/mL) than the extract of B. forficata (IC50 = 90.0±4.4 μg/ mL). B. forficata also had a stronger inhibitory effect on MPO activity, as measured by guaiacol oxidation, than C. sicyoides. These results indicate that aqueous extracts of leaves of B. forficata and C. sicyoides are a potential source of natural antioxidants and may be helpful in the prevention of diabetic complications associated with oxidative stress

Vanadium and its complexes: the renewed Interest in its biochemistry

Los estudios en el campo de la química bioinorgánica que exploran las interacciones entre los compuestos inorgánicos y los sistemas biológicos han crecido muy rápido en los últimos años. Algunos elementos y sus compuestos han despertado gran interés, particularmente el vanadio. Este trabajo es una revisión sobre el efecto del vanadio y sus complejos en la diabetes mellitus.The field of bioinorganic chemistry, which explores the interactions between inorganic compounds and biological systems, has been growing rapidly in the last few years. Various elements and their compounds have attracted great interest, particularly vanadium. In this article we review the effect of vanadium and its complexes on diabetes mellitus.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Vanadium and its complexes: the renewed Interest in its biochemistry

Los estudios en el campo de la química bioinorgánica que exploran las interacciones entre los compuestos inorgánicos y los sistemas biológicos han crecido muy rápido en los últimos años. Algunos elementos y sus compuestos han despertado gran interés, particularmente el vanadio. Este trabajo es una revisión sobre el efecto del vanadio y sus complejos en la diabetes mellitus.The field of bioinorganic chemistry, which explores the interactions between inorganic compounds and biological systems, has been growing rapidly in the last few years. Various elements and their compounds have attracted great interest, particularly vanadium. In this article we review the effect of vanadium and its complexes on diabetes mellitus.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Nicotine-enhanced oxidation of low-density lipoprotein and its components by myeloperoxidase/H2O2/Cl- system

In this study, the effect of nicotine on the LDL oxidation by the MPO/H2O2/Cl- system and the effect of HOCl on LDL and some of its components, such as methyl linoleate, vitamin E and the amino acid tryptophan were explored. Nicotine, in micromolar concentrations, enhanced the tryptophan oxidation, either present in LDL or free, in solution. Nicotine also decreased the formation of conjugated dienes and oxygen consumption in a methyl linoleate / HOCl system, and there was evidence to suggest an increase in chlorohydrin formation. Acceleration of the vitamin E oxidation by HOCl was also observed in the presence of nicotine. These data show that the interaction of nicotine and HOCl can promote significant biochemical modifications in LDL particle and some of its components involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and other diseases.Nesse estudo, nós avaliamos o efeito da nicotina sobre a oxidação da LDL pelo sistema MPO/H2O2/Cl- e o efeito do HOCl sobre a LDL e alguns de seus componentes, tais como metil linoleato, vitamina E e o aminoácido triptofano. Nicotina, em concentração micromolar, amplia a oxidação do triptofano, livre em solução ou presente na LDL. A nicotina promove a diminuição da formação de dienos conjugados e consumo de oxigênio no sistema metil linoleato/HOCl, e houve evidência que sugere aumento na formação de clorohidrinas. O aumento da oxidação da vitamina E pelo HOCl também foi observada na presença de nicotina. Esses dados mostram que a interação da nicotina e HOCl pode promover alterações bioquímicas significativas na partícula de LDL e alguns de seus componentes envolvidos na patogênese de doenças cardiovasculares e de outras doenças.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome: clinical and biochemical findings in Brazilian patients

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) or RSH syndrome comprises multiple congenital anomalies and mental retardation. The underlying defect is a deficiency in the activity of delta7-sterol reductase, which decreases cholesterol and increases 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) levels. Our aim was to identify and evaluate the frequency of SLOS manifestations in a group of Brazilian patients. Based on our own data and those reported previously, we present a simple method that allows the estimation of probabilities favoring the diagnosis of SLOS. We evaluated 30 patients clinically and determined their plasma levels of cholesterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol. In 11 patients, the diagnosis was confirmed by ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV). Of 19 patients with normal laboratory results, 17 showed a high probability favoring the diagnosis of SLOS. The most significant signs and symptoms observed in over 2/3 of the biochemically confirmed cases were mental retardation (10/11), delayed neuropsychomotor development (10/11), syndactyly of 2nd/3rd toes (10/11), and craniofacial anomalies including microcephaly (11/11), incompletely rotated ears (8/11), palpebral ptosis (10/11), anteverted nostrils (10/11), and micrognathia (9/11). Genital anomalies were found in all male patients (6/6)

Selective activity of butyrylcholinesterase in serum by a chemiluminescent assay

In a previous study, we showed that purified commercial esterase activity can be detected in a chemiluminescent assay based on the hydrolysis of 2-methyl-1-propenylbenzoate (MPB) to 2-methyl-1-propenol, which is subsequently oxidized by the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-H2O2 system. The purpose of this study was to verify the applicability of this assay to human serum. The existence of an esterase activity capable of hydrolysing MPB is indicated by the fact that the MPB-scruin-HRP-H2O2 System consumes oxygen and emits light. Both signals were abolished by prior serum heat inactivation and were preserved when serum was stored at less than or equal to4 degreesC. Addition of aliesterase inhibitors, such as fluoride ion and trichlorfon or the cholinesterase inhibitor eserine, totally prevents light emission. The butyrylcholinesterase-specific substrate benzoylcholine causes a delay in both O-2 uptake and light emission, while the specific acetylcholinesterase substrate, acetyl-beta -methylcholine, had practically no effect. Purified butyrylcholinesterase, but not acetylcholinesterase, triggered light emission. The finding that butyryleholinesterase is responsible for the hydrolysis of MPB in serum should serve as the basis for the development of a specific chemiluminescent assay for this enzyme. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Does cotinine act upon reactive oxygen species and peroxidases?

Nicotine, an oxidizing agent, is certainly one of the most widely used alkaloids in the world. It is, together with its main metabolite, cotinine, responsible for tobacco-dependence. The use of tobacco is closely associated with lung disease, morphological leukocyte modification and generation of oxidant species. The aim of this study was to look for a possible relationship between cotinine, oxidant species generation and oxidative processes. After studying the action of cotinine in some chemical oxidation models and on the enzymatic kinetics of peroxidases (myeloperoxidase and horseradish peroxidase), we concluded that cotinine does not act directly upon H 2O 2, HOCl, taurine chloramines, horseradish peroxidase or myeloperoxidase