SABIIA - Sistema Aberto e Integrado de Informação em Agricultura (Sabiia)

Miranda,M.S.; Cintra,R.G.; Barros,S.B.M.; Mancini-Filho,J..

Spirulina maxima, which is used as a food additive, is a microalga rich in protein and other essential nutrients. Spirulina contains phenolic acids, tocopherols and ß-carotene which are known to exhibit antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of a Spirulina extract. The antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract of Spirulina was determined in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro antioxidant capacity was tested on a brain homogenate incubated with and without the extract at 37oC. The IC50 (concentration which causes a 50% reduction of oxidation) of the extract in this system was 0.18 mg/ml. The in vivo antioxidant capacity was evaluated in plasma and liver of animals receiving a daily dose of 5 mg for 2 and...

Pituitary glycoprotein hormone a-subunit secretion by cirrhotic patients

Palavras-chave: Microalgae antioxidant activity Spirulina maxima phenolic compounds ß-carotene <; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /FONT>; -tocopherol.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1998000800007

Oliveira,M.C.; Pizarro,C.B.; Cassal,A.; Cremonese,R.; Vieira,J.G.H..

Secretion of the a-subunit of pituitary glycoprotein hormones usually follows the secretion of intact gonadotropins and is increased in gonadal failure and decreased in isolated gonadotropin deficiency. The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of the a-subunit in the serum of patients with cirrhosis of the liver and to compare the results obtained for eugonadal cirrhotic patients with those obtained for cirrhotic patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Forty-seven of 63 patients with cirrhosis (74.6%) presented hypogonadism (which was central in 45 cases and primary in 2), 7 were eugonadal, and 9 women were in normal menopause. The serum <FONT...

Analysis of the DF508 mutation in a Brazilian cystic fibrosis population: comparison of pulmonary status of homozygotes with other patients

Palavras-chave: <; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /font>; -subunit pituitary gonadotropins hypogonadism cirrhosis.

Ano: 1999

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1999000100011

Maróstica,P.J.C.; Raskin,S.; Abreu-e-Silva,F.A..

Sixty-one cystic fibrosis patients admitted for check-up or antibiotic treatment were enrolled for genetic and clinical evaluation. Genetic analysis was performed on blood samples stored on neonatal screening cards using PCR techniques to determine the presence of DF508 mutations. Clinical evaluation included Shwachman and Chrispin-Norman scores, age at onset of symptoms and diagnosis, spirometry, awake and sleep pulse oximetry, hyponychial angle measurement and presence of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization. Eighteen patients (29.5%) were homozygous for the DF508 mutation, 26 (42.6%) had one DF508 mutation and 17 (27.9%) were...

Effect of toxin-g from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom on gastric emptying in rats

Palavras-chave: Cystic fibrosis <; FONT FACE=Symbol>; D<; /font>; F508 gene mutation genotype phenotype.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1998000400009

Bucaretchi,F.; Vinagre,A.M.; Chavéz-Olórtegui,C.; Collares,E.F..

The effect of toxin-g from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom on the gastric emptying of liquids was studied in 176 young adult male Wistar rats (2-3 months of age) divided into subgroups of 8 animals each. Toxin-g was injected iv at doses of 25, 37.5, 50 or 100 µg/kg and the effect on gastric emptying was assessed 30 min and 8 h later. A time-course study was also performed by injecting 50 µg of toxin-g /kg and measuring the effect on gastric emptying at times 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 h post-venom. Each envenomed animal was paired with its saline control and all received a saline test meal solution containing phenol red (60 µg/ml) as...

Gastroduodenal resistance and neural mechanisms involved in saline flow decrease elicited by acute blood volume expansion in anesthetized rats

Palavras-chave: Gastric emptying Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom toxin-<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; G<; /font>.

Ano: 1999

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1999000400009

Graça,J.R.V.; Gondim,F. de-A.A.; Cavalcante,D.I.M.; Xavier-Neto,J.; Messias,E.L.M.; Rego,M.C.V.; Marques,J.A.P.; Santos,A.A.; Rola,F.H..

We have previously demonstrated that blood volume (BV) expansion decreases saline flow through the gastroduodenal (GD) segment in anesthetized rats (Xavier-Neto J, dos Santos AA & Rola FH (1990) Gut, 31: 1006-1010). The present study attempts to identify the site(s) of resistance and neural mechanisms involved in this phenomenon. Male Wistar rats (N = 97, 200-300 g) were surgically manipulated to create four gut circuits: GD, gastric, pyloric and duodenal. These circuits were perfused under barostatically controlled pressure (4 cmH2O). Steady-state changes in flow were taken to reflect modifications in circuit resistances during three periods of time: normovolemic control (20 min), expansion (10-15 min), and expanded (30 min). Perfusion flow rates...

Multifactorial control of water and saline intake: role of a2-adrenoceptors

Palavras-chave: Blood volume expansion gastroduodenal resistance duodenum pylorus !-- $MVD$:face("Symbol") --<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /font>; -blockers vagotomy.

Ano: 1997

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1997001000019

Water and saline intake is controlled by several mechanisms activated during dehydration. Some mechanisms, such as the production of angiotensin II and unloading of cardiovascular receptors, activate both behaviors, while others, such as the increase in blood osmolality or sodium concentration, activate water, but inhibit saline intake. Aldosterone probably activates only saline intake. Clonidine, an a2-adrenergic agonist, inhibits water and saline intake induced by these mechanisms. One model to describe the interactions between these multiple mechanisms is a wire-block diagram, where the brain circuit that controls each intake is represented by a summing point of its respective inhibiting and activating factors. The...

Topical application of a melanotropin analogue to vulgar vitiligo dermo-epidermal minigrafts

Palavras-chave: Sodium intake water intake clonidine noradrenaline dehydration <; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /font>; 2-adrenergic agonist.

Ano: 1997

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1997000400011

Schwartzmann-Solon,A.M.; Visconti,M.A.; Castrucci,A.M.L..

Human subjects with active vulgar vitiligo do not respond well to autologous dermo-epidermal minigrafting. Eighteen subjects were treated with the a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (a-MSH) synthetic analogue &#091;Nle4, D-Phe7&#093;-a-MSH. The hormone (50 µl, 0.4 mM) was applied topically to 30-cm2 lesions in which 29-48 minigrafts had been made. The hormone did not improve the success of the minigrafting and no differences were observed in local or distant repigmentation in treated subjects as compared to the placebo group. Aliquots of 24-h urine concentrated by lyophilization irreversibly darkened toad skins, demonstrating...

Cytokines as determinants of resistance and pathology in human Schistosoma mansoni infection

Palavras-chave: Vulgar vitiligo <; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /FONT>; -MSH synthetic analogue minigrafting.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1998001200008

Corrêa-Oliveira,R.; Malaquias,L.C.C.; Falcão,P.L.; Viana,I.R.C.; Bahia-Oliveira,L.M.G.; Silveira,A.M.S.; Fraga,L.A.O.; Prata,A.; Coffman,R.L.; Lambertucci,J.R.; Cunha-Melo,J.R.; Martins-Filho,O.A.; Wilson,R.A.; Gazzinelli,G..

The role of different cytokines in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferative response and in in vitro granuloma formation was evaluated in a cross-sectional study with patients with the different clinical forms and phases of Schistosoma mansoni infection, as well as a group of individuals "naturally" resistant to infection named normal endemic (NE). The blockage of IL-4 and IL-5 using anti-IL-4 and anti-IL-5 antibodies significantly reduced the PBMC proliferative response to soluble egg (SEA) and adult worm (SWAP) antigens in acute (ACT), chronic intestinal (INT) and hepatosplenic (HS) patients. Similar results were obtained in the in vitro granuloma formation. Blockage of IL-10 had no significant effect on either assay using PBMC from ACT...

Immunologic patterns associated with cure in human American cutaneous leishmaniasis

Palavras-chave: Schistosoma mansoni human schistosomiasis mansoni cytokines IL-10 IL-4 IFN-<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; G<; /font>.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1998000100024

Coutinho,S.G.; Da-Cruz,A.M.; Bertho,A.L.; Santiago,M.A.; De-Luca,P..

Patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis were studied before therapy (active lesion) and at the end of therapy (cured patients). Assays of lymphocyte proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells induced in vitro by Leishmania braziliensis promastigote antigens (Lb) were performed. Antigen-stimulated cells were harvested for CD4 and CD8 phenotype analysis and the levels of gamma interferon (IFN-g) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) produced were also determined in the culture supernatants. Two different patterns of Lb-induced T cell responses were observed: a) predominance of responding CD4+ cells and mixed type 1 and type 2 cytokine production (IFN-g and IL-4) during...

Regulation of T cell response to leishmania antigens by determinants of histocompatibility leukocyte class I and II molecules

Palavras-chave: Human cutaneous leishmaniasis Leishmania braziliensis CD4+ and CD8+ cells IFN-<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; G<; /font>; IL-4.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1998000100019

Bacellar,O.; Russo,C.; Carvalho,E.M..

It has been shown that HLA class I molecules play a significant role in the regulation of the proliferation of T cells activated by mitogens and antigens. We evaluated the ability of mAb to a framework determinant of HLA class I molecules to regulate T cell proliferation and interferon gamma (IFN-g) production against leishmania, PPD, C. albicans and tetanus toxoid antigens in patients with tegumentary leishmaniasis and healthy subjects. The anti-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mAb (W6/32) suppressed lymphocyte proliferation by 90% in cultures stimulated with aCD3, but the suppression was variable in cultures stimulated with leishmania antigen. This suppression ranged from...

The role of IL-12 in experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Palavras-chave: HLA class I tegumentary leishmaniasis modulation of T cell response by HLA class I interferon-<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; G<; /FONT>; And HLA class I soluble antigen and HLA class I.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1998001200010

Silva,J.S.; Aliberti,J.C.S.; Martins,G.A.; Souza,M.A.; Souto,J.T.; Pádua,M.A..

Host resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi infection is dependent on both natural and acquired immune responses. During the early acute phase of infection in mice, natural killer (NK) cell-derived IFN-g is involved in controlling intracellular parasite replication, mainly through the induction of nitric oxide biosynthesis by activated macrophages. We have shown that IL-12, a powerful inducer of IFN-g production by NK cells, is synthesized soon after trypomastigote-macrophage interaction. The role of IL-12 in the control of T. cruzi infection in vivo was determined by treating infected mice with anti-IL-12 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and analyzing both parasitemia and mortality during the...

IFN-g in human Chagas' disease: protection or pathology?

Palavras-chave: IL-12 Trypanosoma cruzi NK cells IFN-<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; G<; /font>; Nitric oxide.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1998000100014

Bahia-Oliveira,L.M.G.; Gomes,J.A.S.; Rocha,M.O.C.; Moreira,M.C.V.; Lemos,E.M.; Luz,Z.M.P.; Pereira,M.E.S.; Coffman,R.L.; Dias,J.C.P.; Cançado,J.R.; Gazzinelli,G.; Corrêa-Oliveira,R..

An apparently paradoxical role for IFN-g in human Chagas' disease was observed when studying the pattern of cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from two groups of chagasic patients after specific stimulation with Trypanosoma cruzi-derived antigens. The groups studied were 1) patients treated with benznidazole during the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and 2) chronically infected untreated patients. In the treated group, higher levels of IFN-g were produced by PBMC from individuals cured after treatment when compared to non-cured patients. In contrast, in the chronically infected group (not treated) higher levels of IFN-<FONT...

Eosinophil-active chemokines: assessment of in vivo activity

Palavras-chave: Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas' disease cardiomyopathy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cytokines INF-<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; G<; /font>.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1998000100017

Teixeira,M.M..

The selective recruitment of eosinophils in tissue is a striking feature of allergic diseases. Recently, a family of chemoattractant molecules, namely chemokines, has been described which potently activates eosinophil function in vitro. We have developed a murine model of eosinophil recruitment to compare the relative potency and efficacy of chemokines in vivo. Of the chemokines tested, only eotaxin and MIP-1a induced significant accumulation of eosinophils in vivo, but eotaxin was more effective than MIP-1a. Chemokines, especially eotaxin acting via the CCR-3 receptor, may have a fundamental role in determining selective eosinophil recruitment in vivo

Interaction between NO and oxytocin: Influence on LHRH release

Palavras-chave: Eosinophils chemokines eotaxin MIP-1<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /font>; Chemokine receptors.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1998000100003

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing neurons have been localized in various parts of the CNS. These neurons occur in the hypothalamus, mostly in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei and their axons project to the neural lobe of the pituitary gland. We have found that nitric oxide (NO) controls luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) release from the hypothalamus acting as a signal transducer in norepinephrine (NE)-induced LHRH release. LHRH not only releases LH from the pituitary but also induces sexual behavior. On the other hand, it is known that oxytocin also stimulates mating behavior and there is some evidence that oxytocin can increase NE release. Therefore, it occurred to us that oxytocin may also stimulate LHRH release via NE and NO. To...

Effect of the injection of an extract of Ascaris suum on macrophage activation during the early phase of Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection in C57Bl/6 mice

Palavras-chave: Nitric oxide synthase norepinephrine <; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /font>; -adrenergic receptors prostaglandin E2 arginine citrulline NMMA sodium nitroprusside.

Ano: 1997

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1997000400004

Ferreira,A.P.; Aarestrup,F.M.; Bonecini-Almeida,M.G.; Souza,E.E.; Gomes,E.A.; Corrêa,J.O.A.; Teixeira,H.C..

Injection of an Ascaris suum extract (Asc) affects both the humoral and cellular immune responses to unrelated antigens when it is co-administered with these antigens. In the present study we evaluated the effect of Asc on macrophage activation in the early phase of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Pasteur strain TMCC 1173) infection in C57Bl/6 mice. C57Bl/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with 0.1 mg BCG (BCG group) or BCG plus 1 mg Asc (BCG + Asc group). The peritoneal exudates were obtained at 2, 7 and 14 days after infection. The numbers of IFN-g-secreting cells were assessed by the ELISPOT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by the Griess method and by the evaluation of NADPH diaphorase activity in...

Optimized Fast-FISH with a-satellite probes: acceleration by microwave activation

Palavras-chave: Mycobacterium bovis Ascaris suum macrophage activation TNF-<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /FONT>; NADPH diaphorase.

Ano: 1999

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1999001100014

It has been shown for several DNA probes that the recently introduced Fast-FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) technique is well suited for quantitative microscopy. For highly repetitive DNA probes the hybridization (renaturation) time and the number of subsequent washing steps were reduced considerably by omitting denaturing chemical agents (e.g., formamide). The appropriate hybridization temperature and time allow a clear discrimination between major and minor binding sites by quantitative fluorescence microscopy. The well-defined physical conditions for hybridization permit automatization of the procedure, e.g., by a programmable thermal cycler. Here, we present optimized conditions for a commercially available X-specific <FONT...

Does plasma ANP participate in natriuresis induced by a-MSH?

Palavras-chave: Fluorescence in situ hybridization Fast-FISH metaphase chromosomes <; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /font>; -satellite DNA probes microwave treatment quantitative image analysis.

Ano: 1997

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1997000100003

a-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (a-MSH; 0.6 and 3 nmol) microinjected into the anteroventral region of the third ventricle (AV3V) induced a significant increase in diuresis without modifying natriuresis or kaliuresis. Intraperitoneal (ip) injection of a-MSH (3 and 9.6 nmol) induced a significant increase in urinary sodium, potassium and water excretion. Intraperitoneal (3 and 4.8 nmol) or iv (3 and 9.6 nmol) administration of a-MSH did not induce any significant changes in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), suggesting that the natriuresis, kaliuresis and diuresis induced by the systemic action of...

The effect of methotrexate and azathioprine on the serum levels of IgA-a1-antitrypsin complex in juvenile chronic arthritis

Palavras-chave: <; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /font>; -MSH AV3V ANP natriuresis kaliuresis diuresis.

Ano: 1997

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1997000400005

In the present study we investigated the influence of methotrexate (MTX) and azathioprine (AZA) on the serum levels of the IgA-a1-antitrypsin (IgA-AT) complex in patients with the systemic form of juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). Fifty-six JCA patients (22 treated with MTX, 18 treated with AZA, and 16 not treated with any immunosuppressive agent) were enrolled in the study. MTX dosage ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 mg kg-1 week-1, while AZA was given daily at an average dose of 1 mg/kg. MTX was given for 13 months (SD = 7 months) whereas AZA for 11 months (SD = 6 months). The average value of the complex was higher in JCA patients than in both control groups (0.74 ± 0.73 U vs 0.37 ± 0.13 U (control children), P<0.001...

Cytokine profiles during experimental Chagas' disease

Palavras-chave: Juvenile chronic arthritis IgA-<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /FONT>; 1-antitrypsin complex methotrexate azathioprine C-reactive protein <; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /FONT>; 1-acid-glycoprotein <; FONT FACE=Symbol>; A<; /FONT>; 1-antichymotrypsin.

Ano: 1997

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1997000600010

Morato,M.J.F.; Colley,D.G.; Powell,M.R..

People infected with Trypanosoma cruzi remain so for life, yet only 30-40% of these individuals develop characteristic chagasic cardiomyopathies. Similarly, when infected with the Brazilian strain of T. cruzi, DBA/2 mice develop severe cardiac damage while B10.D2 mice do not. To better understand the immunological parameters that may be involved in the disease process, we have used this murine model (DBA/2 vs B10.D2) and compared the changes in cytokine production during the course of infection with T. cruzi. Concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation of spleen cells harvested during the acute phase (day 30) resulted in similarly high levels of IFN-g in both mouse strains. However, the amount of IFN-<FONT...

Performance of the Albicans ID2Ò chromogenic medium for rapid identification of Candida albicans

Palavras-chave: Experimental Chagas' disease Trypanosoma cruzi cytokines IFN-<; FONT FACE=Symbol>; G<; /font>; IL-10 IL-4.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X1998000100016

BJM

Godoy-Martínez,Patricio; Azevedo,Ana C.; Reis,Viviane; Alves,Thelma; Almeida,Leila P.; Colombo,Arnaldo L..

The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of the chromogenic media Albicans ID2Ò (bioMérieux, France) for the identification of Candida albicans among 330 yeast strains. All C. albicans (100) and C. dubliniensis (20) strains exhibited blue color when cultured on Albicans ID2Ò. However, the blue color was also exhibited by cultures of C. rugosa (30/30) and C. tropicalis (3/50) isolates.