Avaliação soroepidemiológica da Doença de Chagas no cariri paraibano.

A Doença de Chagas, cujo agente causal é o Trypanossoma cruzi (T. cruzi), foi inicialmente descrita e descoberta, na cidade mineira de Lassance por Carlos Chagas, médico e pesquisador do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. É uma protozoose classificada como endemia negligenciada e estigmatizante, afetando predominantemente as populações mais pobres e vulneráveis. Diante do exposto, este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar os indivíduos soropositivos para Doença de Chagas, bem como, avaliar o nível de conhecimento da população sobre a relação vetor-doença. A amostra foi constituída por 63 voluntários, tendo sido 18 homens e 45 mulheres. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em três etapas sucessivas. Durante a primeira etapa foram realizadas palestras a respeito da Doença de Chagas, e após a assinatura do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido, foram aplicados questionários e realizada a coleta de sangue. Durante a segunda etapa fez-se os exames sorológicos, utilizando para tanto as técnicas de hemaglutinação indireta e ELISA. A terceira etapa consistiu na entrega do resultado dos exames e encaminhamento dos soropositivos para atendimento médico. A análise dos dados nos permitiu observar que 71,2% eram do sexo feminino, 57% não concluíram o ensino fundamental, 88,9% residiam na zona rural e 41,3% ainda habitavam casa de taipa. Cinco (7,94%), quatro mulheres e um homem, apresentaram sorologia positiva para a enfermidade, nos dois testes citados. Portanto é possível inferir que é de extrema importância o diagnóstico de chagásicos para evitar que ocorra disseminação por vias vetoriais e não vetoriais

STUDY OF TOXICITY AND ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY OF DERIVED ACRIDINE N’-(2-cloro-6-metoxi-acridin-9-yl)-2-ciano-3-(4-dimetilaminofenil)-acrilohidrazida AGAINST EHRLICH ASCITIC TUMOR.

Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide and is considered a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and multiplication of abnormal cells that can invade various tissues. Treatment has been benefited from research that seek to reduce toxicity and increase the effectiveness of different anticancer drugs. Acridine derivatives have a number of proven biological activities, and amsacrine, an antineoplastic used for the treatment of leukemias and lymphomas, is the main representative of the group. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity and antitumor activity of acridine- derived N’-(2-chloro-6-methoxy-acridin-9-yl)-2-cyano-3-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-acrilohydrazide (ACS-AZ10). In the assessment of cytotoxicity in mouse erythrocytes it was observed that ACS-AZ10 did not cause hemolysis at the concentrations tested (up to 1250 μg / ml), suggesting low toxicity in erythrocytes. After acute administration of ACS-AZ10 (2000 mg / kg) in mice intraperitoneally (ip), characteristic effects of changes in the central nervous system among them, writhing and abduction of the legs of the rear train, were observed. The estimated LD50 (dose that produces death in 50% of experimental animals) was around 2500 mg / kg. The ACS-AZ10 (15 or 30 mg / kg), after a nine days treatment (ip) showed significant antitumor activity in vivo in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model (EAC), considering the volume parameters, mass, viability and total cell count. Treatment at the dose 7.5 mg/kg induced an increase in sub-G1 peak, with a consequent reduction in the percentage of cells in G0/G1 and S phases of cell cycle, suggesting death by apoptosis. However, treatment with 15 mg/kg induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and a reduction of the fraction G0/G1 and S, suggesting a pre-mitotic blockade. The treatment with different doses of ACS-AZ10 significantly reduced the angiogenic capacity of the EAC, thus it can be inferred that the ACS-AZ10´s antitumor mechanism of action involves, at least in part, an anti-angiogenic effect. The toxicological analysis indicated that after nine days of treatment with ACS-AZ10, low haematological and biochemical toxicity were observed. Histopathological analysis indicated liver damage following treatment with ACS-AZ10, however, the damage was considered mild and reversible. ACS-AZ10 induced no increase in the quantity of micronucleated erythrocyte in micronucleus test, indicating the absence of genotoxic under the conditions evaluated. Therefore, it is possible to infer that the ACS-AZ10 has potent antitumor activity in vivo with low toxicity.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPESO câncer é um importante problema de saúde pública em nível mundial, sendo considerado um grupo de doenças caracterizadas pelo crescimento descontrolado e multiplicação de células modificadas que podem invadir diversos tecidos. Seu tratamento tem se beneficiado das pesquisas que buscam reduzir a toxicidade e aumentar a eficácia de diferentes fármacos antineoplásicos. Os derivados da acridina possuem diversas atividades biológicas comprovadas, sendo a amsacrina, um antineoplásico usado para o tratamento de leucemias e linfomas, o principal representante do grupo. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a toxicidade e atividade antitumoral do derivado acridínico N’-(2-cloro-6-metoxi-acridin-9-yl)-2-ciano-3-(4-dimetilaminofenil)-acrilohidrazida (ACS-AZ10). Na avaliação da citotoxicidade em eritrócitos de camundongos foi possível observar que o ACS-AZ10 em concentração de até 1250 g/mL não causou dano direto a membrana de eritrócitos de camundongos, sugerindo atividade intracelular em hemácias. Após administração aguda do ACS-AZ10 (2000 mg/kg) em camundongos por via intraperitoneal (i.p.), foram observados efeitos característicos de alterações no Sistema Nervoso Central dentre estes, contorções abdominais e abdução das patas do trem posterior. O valor estimado da DL50 (dose que produz morte de 50% dos animais experimentais) foi em torno de 2500 mg/kg. O ACS-AZ10 (15 ou 30 mg/kg), após nove dias de tratamento (i.p.), mostrou significante atividade antitumoral in vivo em modelo de Carcinoma Ascítico de Ehrlich (CAE), considerando os parâmetros volume, massa, viabilidade e total celular. O tratamento na dose 7,5 mg/kg induziu um aumento do pico sub-G1, com consequente redução da percentagem de células nas fases G0/G1 e S do ciclo celular, o que sugere morte por apoptose. No entanto, o tratamento com a dose de 15 mg/kg induziu parada do ciclo celular na fase G2/M e diminuição da fração G0/G1 e S, o que sugere um bloqueio pré-mitótico. O tratamento com as diferentes doses de ACS-AZ10 diminuiu significativamente a capacidade angiogênica do CAE, desta forma, pode-se inferir que o mecanismo de ação antitumoral do ACS-AZ10 envolve, pelo menos parcialmente, um efeito antiangiogênico. As análises toxicológicas indicaram que, após nove dias de tratamento com ACS-AZ10 foi observada baixa toxicidade hematológica e bioquímica. A análise histopatológica indicou danos hepáticos após o tratamento com ACS-AZ10, entretanto, os danos foram considerados leves e reversíveis. O ACS-AZ10 não induziu aumento na quantidade de eritrócitos micronucleados no ensaio do micronúcleo, o que indica ausência de genotoxicidade, nas condições avaliadas. Portanto, é possível inferir que o ACS-AZ10 apresenta potente atividade antitumoral in vivo com baixa toxicidade

Effects of Baru Almond Oil (Dipteryx alata Vog.) Treatment on Thrombotic Processes, Platelet Aggregation, and Vascular Function in Aorta Arteries

Background: This study assessed the effects of Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) almond oil supplementation on vascular function, platelet aggregation, and thrombus formation in aorta arteries of Wistar rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were allocated into three groups. The control group (n = 6), a Baru group receiving Baru almond oil at 7.2 mL/kg/day (BG 7.2 mL/kg, n = 6), and (iii) a Baru group receiving Baru almond oil at 14.4 mL/kg/day (BG 14.4 mL/kg, n = 6). Baru oil was administered for ten days. Platelet aggregation, thrombus formation, vascular function, and reactive oxygen species production were evaluated at the end of treatment. Results: Baru oil supplementation reduced platelet aggregation (p < 0.05) and the production of the superoxide anion radical in platelets (p < 0.05). Additionally, Baru oil supplementation exerted an antithrombotic effect (p < 0.05) and improved the vascular function of aorta arteries (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings showed that Baru oil reduced platelet aggregation, reactive oxygen species production, and improved vascular function, suggesting it to be a functional oil with great potential to act as a novel product for preventing and treating cardiovascular disease

Toxicity and antitumor potential of Mesosphaerum sidifolium (Lamiaceae) oil and fenchone, its major component

Abstract Background The essential oil from Mesosphaerum sidifolium (L’Hérit.) Harley & J.F.B.Pastore (syn. Hyptis umbrosa), Lamiaceae (EOM), and its major component, have been tested for toxicity and antitumor activity. Methods EOM was obtained from aerial parts of M. sidifolium subjected to hydro distillation, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to characterize the EOM chemical composition. The toxicity was evaluated using haemolysis assay, and acute toxicity and micronucleus tests. Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model was used to evaluate the in vivo antitumor activity and toxicity of EOM (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg), and fenchone (30 and 60 mg/kg) after 9 d of treatment. Results The EOM major components were fenchone (24.8%), cubebol (6.9%), limonene (5.4%), spathulenol (4.5%), β-caryophyllene (4.6%) and α-cadinol (4.7%). The HC50 (concentration producing 50% haemolysis) was 494.9 μg/mL for EOM and higher than 3000 μg/mL for fenchone. The LD50 for EOM was approximately 500 mg/kg in mice. The essential oil induced increase of micronucleated erythrocytes only at 300 mg/kg, suggesting moderate genotoxicity. EOM (100 or 150 mg/kg) and fenchone (60 mg/kg) reduced all analyzed parameters (tumor volume and mass, and total viable cancer cells). Survival also increased for the treated animals with EOM and fenchone. For EOM 150 mg/kg and 5-FU treatment, most cells were arrested in the G0/G1 phase, whereas for fenchone, cells arrested in the S phase, which represents a blockage in cell cycle progression. Regarding the toxicological evaluation, EOM induced weight loss, but did not induce hematological, biochemical or histological (liver and kidneys) toxicity. Fenchone induced decrease of AST and ALT, suggesting liver damage. Conclusions The data showed EOM caused in vivo cell growth inhibition on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model by inducing cell cycle arrest, without major changes in the toxicity parameters evaluated. In addition, this activity was associated with the presence of fenchone, its major component

<em>In Vitro </em>and <em>in </em><em>Vivo</em> Antitumor Effect of Trachylobane-360, a Diterpene from<em> Xylopia langsdorffiana</em>

Trachylobane-360 (<em>ent</em>-7α-acetoxytrachyloban-18-oic acid) was isolated from <em>Xylopia langsdorffiana</em>. Studies have shown that it has weak cytotoxic activity against tumor and non-tumor cells. This study investigated the <em>in vitro</em><em> </em>and <em>in vivo</em> antitumor effects of trachylobane-360, as well as its cytotoxicity in mouse erythrocytes. In order to evaluate the <em>in vivo</em> toxicological aspects related to trachylobane-360 administration, hematological, biochemical and histopathological analyses of the treated animals were performed. The compound exhibited a concentration-dependent effect in inducing hemolysis with HC<sub>50</sub> of 273.6 µM, and a moderate <em>in vitro</em><em> </em>concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of sarcoma 180 cells with IC<sub>50</sub> values of 150.8 µM and 150.4 µM, evaluated by the trypan blue exclusion test and MTT reduction assay, respectively. The <em>in vivo</em> inhibition rates of sarcoma 180 tumor development were 45.60, 71.99 and 80.06% at doses of 12.5 and 25 mg/kg of trachylobane-360 and 25 mg/kg of 5-FU, respectively. Biochemical parameters were not altered. Leukopenia was observed after 5-FU treatment, but this effect was not seen with trachylobane-360 treatment. The histopathological analysis of liver and kidney showed that both organs were mildly affected by trachylobane-360 treatment. Trachylobane-360 showed no immunosuppressive effect. In conclusion, these data reinforce the anticancer potential of this natural diterpene