Kinetic characterization of l-[(3)H]glutamate uptake inhibition and increase oxidative damage induced by glutaric acid in striatal synaptosomes of rats.

Glutaric acidemia type I (GA-I) is an inherited metabolic disease characterized by accumulation of glutaric acid (GA) and striatal degeneration. Although growing evidence suggests that excitotoxicity and oxidative stress play central role in the neuropathogenesis of this disease, mechanism underlying striatal damage in this disorder is not well established. Thus, we decided to investigate the in vitro effects of GA 10nM (a low concentration that can be present initial development this disorder) on l-[(3)H]glutamate uptake and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in synaptosomes from striatum of rats.

Occurrence of gastrointestinal protozoa in Didelphis albiventris (opossum) in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul state.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the parasitism by gastrointestinal protozoa in Didelphis albiventris (opossum) in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul state. Fecal samples from six free living opossums were collected for research of parasites. Samples were analyzed by the centrifugal-flotation method with zinc sulfate and parasites were identified microscopically based on (oo)cyst size and morphology.

Comparative study of respiratory burst induced by phorbol ester and zymosan in human granulocytes.

Objectives: We have comparatively evaluated respiratory burst and some steps of its signaling in human granulocytes towards different stimuli.

Materials And Methods: An alternative method to remove erythrocytes by dextran differential sedimentation was employed. Respiratory burst (RB) was assessed in a flow cytometer by the oxidation of a fluorescent probe (dichlorodihydrofluorescein).

Trypanocidal and leishmanicidal properties of substitution-containing chalcones.

Ten chalcones were synthesized and tested as potential leishmanicidal and trypanocidal agents. All tested compounds caused concentration-dependent inhibition of the in vitro growth of Leishmania braziliensis and Trypanosoma cruzi with no significant toxic effect towards host macrophages. Our results show that the positions of the substituents seem to be critical for their antiprotozoal activities.