Synthetic polypeptide crotamine: characterization as a myotoxin and as a target of combinatorial peptides.

Crotamine is a rattlesnake-derived toxin that causes fast-twitch muscle paralysis. As a cell-penetrating polypeptide, crotamine has been investigated as an experimental anti-cancer and immunotherapeutic agent. We hypothesized that molecules targeting crotamine could be designed to study its function and intervene in its adverse activities.

Venom and Its Components Strongly Affect Osteoclasts' Maturation and Protein Patterns.

Osteoclasts (OCs) are important for bone maintenance, calcium balance, and tissue regeneration regulation and are involved in different inflammatory diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of venom and its low and high molecular mass (HMM and LMM) fractions on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-derived OCs' in vitro differentiation. , a Brazilian lanced-head viper, presents a rich but not well-explored, venom composition.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Benefits Observed in Bone Marrow Failure and Acquired Aplastic Anemia.

Acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is a type of bone marrow failure (BMF) syndrome characterized by partial or total bone marrow (BM) destruction resulting in peripheral blood (PB) pancytopenia, which is the reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC), as well as platelets (PLT). The first-line treatment option of AA is given by hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) transplant and/or immunosuppressive (IS) drug administration. Some patients did not respond to the treatment and remain pancytopenic following IS drugs.

The muscarinic effect of anhydroecgonine methyl ester, a crack cocaine pyrolysis product, impairs melatonin synthesis in the rat pineal gland.

Anhydroecgonine methyl ester (AEME), also called methylecgonidine, is a pyrolysis product of crack cocaine that is neurotoxic and potentiates cocaine-induced sensitization. The sensitization induced by drugs of abuse can be influenced by melatonin, a neuroprotective pineal hormone. In the same way, drugs of abuse like alcohol and methamphetamine can modify melatonin synthesis.

Effect of maternal exposure to Tityus bahiensis scorpion venom during lactation on the offspring of rats.

Scorpion stings are a public health problem in Brazil and lactating women may be affected. We aimed to study the effects of Tityus bahiensis venom in the offspring of rats treated during lactation. Mothers received a subcutaneous injection of saline (1.

Growth hormones therapy in immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Growth hormone (GH) is an important hypophyseal hormone that is primarily involved in body growth and metabolism. In mammals, control of Trypanosoma cruzi parasitism during the acute phase of infection is considered to be critically dependent on direct macrophage activation by cytokines. To explore the possibility that GH might be effective in the treatment of Chagas' disease, we investigated its effects on the course of T.

Suppressive action of melatonin on the TH-2 immune response in rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.

Control of the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection is critically dependent on cytokine-mediated macrophage activation to intracellular killing, natural killer (NK) cells, CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells and B cells. Cell-mediated immunity in T. cruzi infection is also modulated by cytokines, but in addition to parasite-specific responses, autoimmunity can be also triggered.

Melatonin enhances pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and protects against Chagas disease.

Pro-inflammatory and modulatory cytokines have an essential role in host defense against human and murine Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Control of T. cruzi parasitism during the acute phase of infection is considered to be critically dependent on direct macrophage activation by cytokines.

Melatonin treatment reduces the severity of experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Prior studies show that melatonin enhances the immune response. This study investigated the possible therapeutic effects of melatonin during the course of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. T.