Benznidazole treatment decreases IL-6 levels in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected human adipocytes differentiated from adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Background: Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease (CD), is a versatile haemoparasite that uses several strategies to evade the host's immune response, including adipose tissue (AT), used as a reservoir of infection. As it is an effective barrier to parasite evasion, the effectiveness of the drug recommended for treating CD, Benznidazole (BZ), may be questionable.

Objective: To this end, we evaluated the parasite load and immunomodulation caused by BZ treatment in the culture of adipocytes differentiated from human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC) infected with T.

Extracellular vesicle-localized miR-203 mediates neural crest-placode communication required for trigeminal ganglia formation.

While interactions between neural crest and placode cells are critical for the proper formation of the trigeminal ganglion, the mechanisms underlying this process remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we show that the microRNA-(miR)203, whose epigenetic repression is required for neural crest migration, is reactivated in coalescing and condensing trigeminal ganglion cells. Overexpression of miR-203 induces ectopic coalescence of neural crest cells and increases ganglion size.

Streptomyces hygroscopicus UFPEDA 3370: A valuable source of the potent cytotoxic agent nigericin and its evaluation against human colorectal cancer cells.

Streptomyces hygroscopicus UFPEDA 3370 was fermented in submerged cultivation and the biomass extract was partitioned, obtaining a fraction purified named EB1. After purification of EB1 fraction, nigericin free acid was obtained and identified. Nigericin presented cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines, being most active against HL-60 (human leukemia) and HCT-116 (human colon carcinoma) cell lines, presenting IC and (IS) values: 0.

Effect of chronic Sildenafil treatment on the prostate of C57Bl/6 mice.

Sildenafil is a potent and selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) and is considered first-line therapy for erectile dysfunction. Nowadays, Sildenafil is used extensively throughout the world on patients with pulmonary hypertension. However, few studies have evaluated the possible side effects of chronic Sildenafil treatment on the male reproductive system, specifically in the prostate.

Chronic treatment with sildenafil stimulates Leydig cell and testosterone secretion.

The phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, Sildenafil, is a novel, oral treatment approach for pulmonary hypertension. As Leydig cells present PDE5, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of the chronic treatment with Sildenafil (25 mg/kg) on male Swiss Webster mice steroidogenesis. After a 4-week long experimental design, Leydig cells were analysed by morphological and immunocytochemical procedures.

Follicle development and luteal cell morphology altered by phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor.

Vardenafil citrate is a potent vasodilator used in the treatment of patients with erectile dysfunction. Its mechanism of action is based on the selective inhibition of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5), specific to guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). Recently, chronic treatment with Vardenafil has been successfully used in cases of pulmonary hypertension and, despite being used in high doses for long periods, little is known about its effects on other systems.

Changes in mouse Leydig cells ultrastructure and testosterone secretion after diethylcarbamazine administration.

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) has been proven to be highly effective against lymphatic filariasis, although its effect on vertebrate cells remains uncertain. Mice Leydig cells after treatment with 200mg/kg of DEC for 12 days showed numerous lipid droplets, degenerated mitochondria, residual bodies and several giant whorl-like smooth endoplasmic reticulum, some of them encircling large lipids droplets. Treatment with lower dosages showed similar alterations on Leydig cells and the morphological effects decreased directly proportional to the drug concentration.

Morphological changes in the testis induced by diethylcarbamazine.

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) had been proved to be highly effective against lymphatic filariasis, however its effect on vertebrate cells remains uncertain. After 12 days treatment with DEC, most of the Leydig cells were hypertrophied with several lipid droplets, and others had no nucleus and presented characteristic steatosis features. Vacuolization of Sertoli cells was also noted.