Endogenous PGD2 acting on DP2 receptor counter regulates Schistosoma mansoni infection-driven hepatic granulomatous fibrosis.

Identifying new molecular therapies targeted at the severe hepatic fibrosis associated with the granulomatous immune response to Schistosoma mansoni infection is essential to reduce fibrosis-related morbidity/mortality in schistosomiasis. In vitro cell activation studies suggested the lipid molecule prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) as a potential pro-fibrotic candidate in schistosomal context, although corroboratory in vivo evidence is still lacking. Here, to investigate the role of PGD2 and its cognate receptor DP2 in vivo, impairment of PGD2 synthesis by HQL-79 (an inhibitor of the H-PGD synthase) or DP2 receptor inhibition by CAY10471 (a selective DP2 antagonist) were used against the fibrotic response of hepatic eosinophilic granulomas of S.

Does whole-body vibration improve risk of falls, balance, and heart rate variability in post-COVID-19 patients? A randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) can be a therapeutic recovery strategy for patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a 36-session WBV protocol on the risk of falls, balance, mobility and heart rate variability (HRV).

Study Design: A randomized clinical trial.

Acute catabolism of leukocyte lipid bodies: Characterization of a nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA)-induced proteasomal-dependent model.

Cytoplasmic availability of leukocyte lipid bodies is controlled by a highly regulated cycle of opposing biogenesis- and catabolism-related events. While leukocyte biogenic machinery is well-characterized, lipid body catabolic mechanisms are yet mostly unknown. Here, we demonstrated that nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) very rapidly decreases the numbers of pre-formed lipid bodies within lipid body-enriched cytoplasm of mouse leukocytes - macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils.

Dietary share of ultra-processed foods and its association with vitamin E biomarkers in Brazilian lactating women.

Despite evidence showing that the intake of ultra-processed food has a negative impact on health, diet quality and dietary vitamin E, its impact on vitamin E nutritional status and breast milk remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the influence of the consumption of ultra-processed foods on vitamin E biomarkers of lactating women. A cross-sectional study was performed with 294 lactating women.

Eosinophils increase macrophage ability to control intracellular Leishmania amazonensis infection via PGD paracrine activity in vitro.

Clinical and experimental studies have described eosinophil infiltration in Leishmania amazonensis infection sites, positioning eosinophils strategically adjacent to the protozoan-infected macrophages in cutaneous leishmaniasis. Here, by co-culturing mouse eosinophils with L. amazonensis-infected macrophages, we studied the impact of eosinophils on macrophage ability to regulate intracellular L.

Eicosapentaenoic acid potentiates the therapeutic effects of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells on lung and distal organ injury in experimental sepsis.

Background: Even though mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) mitigate lung and distal organ damage in experimental polymicrobial sepsis, mortality remains high. We investigated whether preconditioning with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) would potentiate MSC actions in experimental sepsis by further decreasing lung and distal organ injury, thereby improving survival.

Methods: In C57BL/6 mice, sepsis was induced by cecal hligation and puncture (CLP); sham-operated animals were used as control.

Leptin Elicits LTC Synthesis by Eosinophils Mediated by Sequential Two-Step Autocrine Activation of CCR3 and PGD Receptors.

Leptin is a cytokine, produced mainly by mature adipocytes, that regulates the central nervous system, mainly to suppress appetite and stimulate energy expenditure. Leptin also regulates the immune response by controlling activation of immunomodulatory cells, including eosinophils. While emerging as immune regulatory cells with roles in adipose tissue homeostasis, eosinophils have a well-established ability to synthesize pro-inflammatory molecules such as lipid mediators, a key event in several inflammatory pathologies.

Purinergic Cooperation Between P2Y and P2X7 Receptors Promote Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Control: Involvement of Pannexin-1 and Leukotrienes.

The release of damage-associated molecular patterns, including uridine triphosphate (UTP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the extracellular milieu is a key component of innate immune response to infection. Previously, we showed that macrophage infection by the protozoan parasite -the etiological agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis-can be controlled by ATP- and UTP-mediated activation of P2Y and P2X7 receptors (activated by UTP/ATP and ATP, respectively), which provided comparable immune responses against the parasite. Interestingly, in context of infection, UTP/P2Y triggered apoptosis, reactive oxygen species, and oxide nitric (NO) production, which are characteristic of P2X7 receptor activation.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid Enhances the Effects of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy in Experimental Allergic Asthma.

Asthma is characterized by chronic lung inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Despite recent advances in the understanding of its pathophysiology, asthma remains a major public health problem and, at present, there are no effective interventions capable of reversing airway remodeling. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapy mitigates lung inflammation in experimental allergic asthma; however, its ability to reduce airway remodeling is limited.

EicosaCell: An Imaging-Based Assay to Identify Spatiotemporal Eicosanoid Synthesis.

Eicosanoids are bioactive lipids derived from enzymatic metabolism of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways. These lipids are newly formed and nonstorable molecules that have important roles in physiological and pathological processes. The particular interest to determine intracellular compartmentalization of eicosanoid-synthetic machinery has emerged as a key component in the regulation of eicosanoid synthesis and in delineating functional intracellular and extracellular actions of eicosanoids.