Guanosine treatment prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behavior in mice.

Guanosine is a purinergic nucleoside that has been shown to have neuroprotective effects, mainly through its ability to modulate the glutamatergic system. An increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels triggers the activation of the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1), leading to glutamatergic excitotoxicity, which has important roles in the pathophysiology of depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible antidepressant-like effects and underlying mechanisms of action of guanosine against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression in a mouse model.

Attenuation of the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines prevents depressive-like behavior during ethanol withdrawal in mice.

Clinical studies indicate that alcohol-dependent patients may develop depressive symptoms during abstinence, which may increase the likelihood of relapse. It is known that both in alcohol exposure and depression, there is an increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain. However, the putative contribution of increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the development of depressive-like behavior during ethanol withdrawal has not been evaluated.

Polymorphism in the pvcrt-o and pvmdr-1 genes of Plasmodium vivax associated with a better prognosis for malaria.

The early molecular identification of strains of Plasmodium vivax that have a worse prognosis is important to stratify the risk of complications and choice of conduct made by medical teams. Thus, the aim of the present study was to associate the presence of polymorphisms in the pvmdr-1 and pvcrt-o resistance genes of P. vivax in patients with better or worse prognosis.

Involvement of kynurenine pathway and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in the antidepressant-like effect of vilazodone in the tail suspension test in mice.

The present study evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of vilazodone using the tail suspension test in mice. We also investigated the contribution of kynurenine pathway and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors to this effect. For this purpose, we pretreated animals with sub-effective doses of L-kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, or quinolinic acid.

Genetic polymorphisms and plasma concentrations of leptin (rs7799039) and adiponectin (rs17300539) are associated with obesity in children and adolescents.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal characteristics and the presence of genetic polymorphisms of leptin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) between eutrophic and obese children and adolescents.

Methods: This is a case-control study involving 104 children and adolescents. All subjects were assessed for anthropometric characteristics and clinical, laboratory, and genetic polymorphism parameters.

Serum levels of vitamin A, selenium, and better dietary total antioxidant capacity are related to lower oxidative DNA damage: A cross-sectional study of individuals at cardiovascular risk.

The risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVR) has been associated with oxidative DNA damage, but the genetic and environmental factors involved in the antioxidant and DNA repair system contributing to this damage are unknown. The aim was to evaluate the levels of oxidative DNA damage in CVR subjects and how it is related with some genetic and nutritional factors. The cross-sectional study evaluated 136 individuals of both sexes, aged 20-59 years, with at least one cardiovascular risk factor.

CXCL8 expression and methylation are correlated with anthropometric and metabolic parameters in childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is a global and increasing health issue. Inflammation and dysregulated adipose tissue secretion are common findings in obesity and have been related to poor metabolic function. Given that DNA methylation impacts gene expression and is responsive to environmental changes, we aimed, in addition to characterize the patients in anthropometric and biochemical terms, to determine the expression of cytokines and adipokines, assess the methylation on regulatory regions of the genes that code for these molecules, and investigate the association of the expression and gene methylation with anthropometric and biochemical parameters in childhood obesity.

New laboratory perspectives for evaluation of vivax malaria infected patients: a useful tool for infection monitoring.

In recent years, the number of cases with severe Plasmodium vivax malaria has shown an increasing trend. It is, therefore, important to identify routine laboratory markers that best characterize the acute disease phase and can serve as a tool for clinical follow-up of patients. In a cohort study, we followed 87 patients with acute P.

Atorvastatin prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behaviour in mice.

Clinical and pre-clinical evidences indicate an association between inflammation and depression since increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with depression-related symptoms. Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering statin that possesses pleiotropic effects including neuroprotective and antidepressant actions. However, the putative neuroprotective effect of atorvastatin treatment in the acute inflammation mice model of depressive-like behaviour has not been investigated.

IL-10 and TGF-β unbalanced levels in neutrophils contribute to increase inflammatory cytokine expression in childhood obesity.

Purpose: Obesity is a multifactorial disease, associated with metabolic disorders, chronic low-grade inflammation, and impaired immunity. This study aimed to evaluate the childhood obesity-associated effects on neutrophil activation and cytokine production.

Methods: We evaluated activation and recognition markers and cytokine production in neutrophils from the peripheral blood of children with obesity and normal weight using multicolor flow cytometry.

Hydroethanolic extract from Echinodorus scaber Rataj leaves inhibits inflammation in ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Echinodorus scaber, Alismataceae, is popularly known in Brazil as "chapéu-de-couro". The plant leaves are used by the population as decoction, infusion, or maceration in bottled spirits, to treat inflammatory respiratory diseases.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of the hydroethanolic extract of leaves of Echinodorus scaber (HEEs) in allergic asthma.

Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation in Childhood Obesity Is Associated with Decreased IL-10 Expression by Monocyte Subsets.

Chronic low-grade inflammation is related to the development of comorbidities and poor prognosis in obesity. Monocytes are main sources of cytokines and play a pivotal role in inflammation. We evaluated monocyte frequency, phenotype and cytokine profile of monocyte subsets, to determine their association with the pathogenesis of childhood obesity.

Effects of a novel β-lapachone derivative on Trypanosoma cruzi: Parasite death involving apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis.

Natural products comprise valuable sources for new antiparasitic drugs. Here we tested the effects of a novel β-lapachone derivative on Trypanosoma cruzi parasite survival and proliferation and used microscopy and cytometry techniques to approach the mechanism(s) underlying parasite death. The selectivity index determination indicate that the compound trypanocidal activity was over ten-fold more cytotoxic to epimastigotes than to macrophages or splenocytes.

DNA Protection against Oxidative Damage Using the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Garcinia mangostana and Alpha-Mangostin.

Garcinia mangostana, popularly known as "mangosteen fruit," originates from Southeast Asia and came to Brazil about 80 years ago where it mainly grows in the states of Pará and Bahia. Although mangosteen or its extracts have been used for ages in Asian folk medicine, data on its potential genotoxicity is missing. We, therefore, evaluated genotoxicity/mutagenicity of hydroethanolic mangosteen extract [HEGM, 10 to 640 μg/mL] in established test assays (Comet assay, micronucleus test, and Salmonella/microsome test).

Vitexin reduces neutrophil migration to inflammatory focus by down-regulating pro-inflammatory mediators via inhibition of p38, ERK1/2 and JNK pathway.

Background: Vitexin is a flavonoid found in plants of different genus such as Vitex spp. and Crataegus spp. Despite being an important molecule present in phytomedicines and nutraceuticals, the mechanisms supporting its use as anti-inflammatory remains unclear.

Detection of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in Brazil using a multimarker genetic assay for katG and rpoB genes.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) is a serious world health problem that limits public actions to control tuberculosis, because the most used anti-tuberculosis first-line drugs fail to stop mycobacterium spread. Consequently, a quick detection through molecular diagnosis is essential to reduce morbidity and medical costs. Despite the availability of several molecular-based commercial-kits to diagnose multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, their diagnostic value might diverge worldwide since Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetic variability differs according to geographic location.

Interleukin-10 rs2227307 and CXCR2 rs1126579 polymorphisms modulate the predisposition to septic shock.

Despite major improvements in its treatment and diagnosis, sepsis is still a leading cause of death and admittance to the intensive care unit (ICU). Failure to identify patients at high risk of developing septic shock contributes to an increase in the sepsis burden and rapid molecular tests are currently the most promising avenue to aid in patient risk determination and therapeutic anticipation. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the genetic susceptibility that affects sepsis outcome in 72 sepsis patients admitted to the ICU.

NAT2, XRCC1 and hOGG1 polymorphisms, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and risk of upper aerodigestive tract cancer.

Aim: To evaluate associations between polymorphisms of the N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2), human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) and X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1 (XRCC1) genes and risk of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer.

Patients And Methods: A case-control study involving 117 cases and 224 controls was undertaken. The NAT2 gene polymorphisms were genotyped by automated sequencing and XRCC1 Arg399Gln and hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphisms were determined by Polymerase Chain Reaction followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods.

Association of the GSTT1 polymorphism in upper aerodigestive tract cancer with tobacco smoking.

Polymorphisms in genes encoding xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes might explain differences in the susceptibility to upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers in individuals exposed to tobacco or other carcinogens. The present study aimed to evaluate the association of polymorphisms in the glutathione S-transferase (GST) candidate genes GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 with the risk of UADT cancers. GST gene polymorphisms were determined in 116 individuals with UADT cancer and 224 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-based methods.

Evaluation of antiulcer activity and mechanism of action of methanol stem bark extract of Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil. (Lytraceae) in experimental animals.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Lafoensia pacari St.-Hil. is a tree native to the Brazilian Cerrado.

Genetic interaction between NAT2, GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP2E1, and environmental factors is associated with adverse reactions to anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) drug regimens have considerable impact on anti-TB treatment, potentially leading to unsuccessful outcomes. Nevertheless, the risk factors that play a role in anti-TB drug-induced ADRs are not well established. It is well documented that genetic polymorphisms in drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) result in considerably complex variability in anti-TB drug disposition.

Association of polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene with the risk of primary open angle glaucoma in a Brazilian population.

The present study aimed to investigate the association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). We conducted a case-control study that included 90 patients with POAG and 127 healthy controls whose blood samples were genotyped for the functional polymorphisms T-786C and Glu298Asp of the eNOS gene by Taqman fluorescent allelic discrimination assay. The T-786C polymorphism was significantly associated as a risk factor for POAG among women (OR: 2.

Ethnopharmacology of medicinal plants of the pantanal region (mato grosso, Brazil).

Traditional knowledge is an important source of obtaining new phytotherapeutic agents. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants was conducted in Nossa Senhora Aparecida do Chumbo District (NSACD), located in Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. 376 species of medicinal plants belonging to 285 genera and 102 families were cited.

Is the GSTM1 null polymorphism a risk factor in primary open angle glaucoma?

Purpose: To investigate the association of glutathione S-transferase (GST) GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes with the risk of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and clinical features of the disease.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study that included 87 Brazilian patients with POAG and 85 healthy controls matched for age, ethnicity, and sex, whose blood samples were genotyped for polymorphisms in GST genes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods.

Results: The GSTM1 null polymorphism was significantly more common in the POAG than in the controls group (OR: 2.