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Pereira DB, Martins JG, Oliveira MS, Lima-Júnior RS, Rocha LC, Andrade SL, Procópio REL. Leishmanicidal activity of the venoms of the Scorpions Brotheas amazonicus and Tityus metuendus. BRAZ J BIOL 2023; 83:e276872. [PMID: 38055507 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.276872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-transmitted zoonosis caused by different species of the genus Leishmania, with a wide clinical spectrum. It is a public health problem aggravated by a series of limitations regarding treatment. In the search for new therapeutic alternatives, scorpion venoms are a source of multifunctional molecules that act against the natural resistance of pathogens. This work evaluated the antileishmanial potential of Brotheas amazonicus and Tityus metuendus venoms against the promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis e Leishmania guyanensis. The venoms of B. amazonicus and T. metuendus were evaluated for their constituents using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Growth inhibition and death of promastigotes were evaluated in the presence of diferente crude venom concentrations (100 µg/mL, 50 µg/mL, 10 µg/mL, 1 µg/mL) after one hour of incubation at 25 °C. The FTIR spectra of both venoms exhibited bands in approximate regions, revealing that both exhibit similar functional groups. Crude venom from both scorpion species showed similar or superior leishmanicidal effects to the standart drug N-methylglucamine antimoniate. At the highest concentration of 100 µg/mL, cultures of L. guyanensis treated with the venom of B. amazonicus showed the highest mortality percentages, above 28%, while T. metuendus venom showed the highest activity against L. amazonensis, with mortality above 7%. This preliminar study demonstrates that B. amazonicus and T. metuendus venoms can be important tools in the search for new drugs Against leishmaniasis. Next step involves evaluating the activity against the amastigote forms and purifying the venom proteins in order to identify the best anti-leishmania candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- D B Pereira
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde - ESA, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - J G Martins
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - M S Oliveira
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde - ESA, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - R S Lima-Júnior
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Escola Normal Superior - ENS, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - L C Rocha
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde - ESA, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - S L Andrade
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde - ESA, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - R E L Procópio
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde - ESA, Manaus, AM, Brasil
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Bastos JMC, Pinheiro PL, Rocha LC, Bicalho EC, Cazeli AB, Marcondes SS, Pinasco GC. Therapeutic challenges in pregnant women with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e12155. [PMID: 30200112 PMCID: PMC6133426 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000012155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare acquired disease, arising from the mutation of clonal hematopoietic stem cells, with an estimated incidence of 1 to 5 cases per million individuals. In pregnant women, adequate information regarding the prevalence of PNH is lacking, and its management has been a challenge because of the significant complications in this group. The condition is diagnosed based on clinical findings and laboratory tests. Eculizumab, the drug of choice for the treatment of PNH, reduces hemolysis and stabilizes hemoglobin levels, thereby decreasing the need for blood transfusions and improving the overall quality of life. CASE PRESENTATION A 38-year-old woman was diagnosed with PNH in 2007 and eculizumab therapy was initiated at the end of 2014. She became pregnant in September 2015 and presented various decompensations from forced reductions in therapy due to the nonavailability of eculizumab. The pregnancy was interrupted in week 35, but the well-being of the newborn was not compromised. The patient, however, had to remain hospitalized for resolution of acute kidney insufficiency, anemia, and intense hemolysis, which were reverted by means of intravenous hydration, transfusion of 10 packed red blood cell units, and eculizumab therapy. CONCLUSION The rarity of the disease and the lack of protocols for its management during pregnancy hampered the treatment of the patient. However, the symptoms were progressively treated as they appeared, based on laboratory tests since it was necessary to circumvent and handle the lack of eculizumab which was not readily available in Brazil's Public Health System.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrícia Leal Pinheiro
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória (EMESCAM)
- Scientific Writing Office, EMESCAM
| | - Lissa Canedo Rocha
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória (EMESCAM)
| | - Elisa Cao Bicalho
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória (EMESCAM)
| | | | | | - Gustavo Carreiro Pinasco
- Scientific Writing Office, EMESCAM
- Department of Pediatrics, EMESCAM, Vitória, ES
- Post-Graduate Program Stricto Sensu, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
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Rocha LC, Silva GA, Bustamante FO, Silveira RAD, Mittlemann A, Techio VH. Dynamics of 45S rDNA sites in the cell cycle: fragile sites and chromosomal stability in Lolium and Festuca. Genet Mol Res 2017; 16:gmr-16-01-gmr.16019156. [PMID: 28128408 DOI: 10.4238/gmr16019156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Analyses carried out with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in C-metaphases of the Lolium-Festuca complex have shown the occurrence of spontaneous fragile sites (FSs) in 45S rDNA regions. FSs are expressed as gaps but they do not result in breaks or chromosomal fragments in these species. These gaps have high DNA condensation observed as thin chromatin fibers that connect the apparent segments of the fragile chromosome, allowing for genomic stability. Assessing the behavior of these regions in the cell cycle of Lolium and Festuca species may lead to a better understanding of the dynamics that preserve stability during cell division. Furthermore, it is interesting to track the dynamics of chromosomes bearing 45S rDNA sites in the cell cycle as well as to observe the expression of FSs with no effect of the mitotic block. We observed variation in both the number and size of 45S FISH signals from the S/G2 phases of interphase and from prophase to anaphase where gaps in 45S rDNA sites also were observed. The change in the degree of condensation of the 45S site begins in the S/G2 phase and appears to be related to the transcriptional demand. Taking into account that the number of 45S rDNA sites tends to be re-established when cells reach telophase, we suggest that the chromatin fiber goes back to the normal condensation level to the anaphase (after segregation), allowing for the approximation of chromosome segments and ensuring dynamics that favor the genomic stability of these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Rocha
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Departamento de Biologia, Lavras, MG, Brasil
| | - G A Silva
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Departamento de Biologia, Lavras, MG, Brasil
| | - F O Bustamante
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Departamento de Biologia, Lavras, MG, Brasil
| | - R A D Silveira
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Departamento de Biologia, Lavras, MG, Brasil
| | - A Mittlemann
- Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil.,Embrapa Clima Temperado, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - V H Techio
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Departamento de Biologia, Lavras, MG, Brasil
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Peixoto NC, Rocha LC, Moraes DP, Bebianno MJ, Dressler VL, Flores EMM, Pereira ME. Changes in levels of essential elements in suckling rats exposed to zinc and mercury. Chemosphere 2008; 72:1327-1332. [PMID: 18547602 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2007] [Revised: 03/26/2008] [Accepted: 04/10/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The effect of mercury and its interaction with zinc on the content of essential metals in tissues from neonate rats was investigated. Three-day-old Wistar rats were treated with saline or 27 mg kg(-1)d(-1) ZnCl2 (s.c.) for five consecutive days. From the 8th to the 12th day of life, the rats received one daily dose of saline or 5.0 mg kg(-1) HgCl2 (s.c). Twenty-four hours after the last injection liver, kidneys and blood were collected for metal quantification. The HgCl(2) exposure induced alterations on metal levels, such as increase of Fe, Hg and Zn in liver, decrease of Fe and Mg and increase of Cu and Hg contents in kidneys. The Hg exposure also increased Hg levels in the blood. The treatment with ZnCl2, administered previously to HgCl2, partially prevented the increase of Fe in the liver, and not only prevented the decrease of renal Mg but also increased it to levels higher than those found in control group. The Zn-Hg rats also presented higher renal Cu levels, and showed partially lower blood and hepatic Hg levels and higher renal Hg levels. The pre-administration of Zn caused no severe alterations in levels of essential metals (Cu, Fe, Mg and Mn). In short, Zn appears to be an alternative treatment of Hg poisoning in young animals in comparison to chelating drugs since these have low metal selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- N C Peixoto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus Universitário, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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Glina S, Bertero E, Claro J, Damião R, Faria G, Fregonesi A, Jaspersen J, Mendoza A, Mattos D, Rocha LC, Sotomayor M, Telöken C, Ureta S, Zonana E, Ugarte F. Efficacy and safety of flexible-dose oral sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in Brazilian and Mexican men. Int J Impot Res 2002; 14 Suppl 2:S27-32. [PMID: 12161765 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijir.3900895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study evaluated the efficacy and safety of flexible-dose sildenafil citrate (Viagra) treatment (25, 50 or 100 mg) in Brazilian and Mexican men with erectile dysfunction (ED) of broad-spectrum etiology. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of responses to the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, completed at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. At end point, mean scores for all IIEF domains of sexual function (erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction) were significantly (P<0.0001) higher in the sildenafil group (n=109) than in the placebo group (n=105). These findings confirm the significant increases in frequency of penetration and frequency of maintained erections reported previously. Sildenafil treatment was well tolerated. The most common adverse events were headache and flushing. In conclusion, sildenafil is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for ED of broad-spectrum etiology in Latin American men.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Glina
- Hospital Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Oliveira AL, Batista JL, Silva AP, Sobrinho LG, Rocha LC. Endemic goitre in Guinea-Bissau. Bull World Health Organ 1991; 69:347-8. [PMID: 1893511 PMCID: PMC2393096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A survey was performed of endemic goitre in the Oio, Gabu, and Cacheu regions of Guinea-Bissau. Among adult women, the following prevalences of goitre were observed: 53% (Oio), 48% (Gabu), and 27% (Cacheu). For goitres of grades 2 and 3 only, the prevalences were 20% (Oio), 13% (Gabu), and 2% (Cacheu). No cretinism or cases of thyroid dysfunction were found. The mean urinary iodine excretions in Oio, Gabu, and Cacheu were 17 micrograms/g, 24 micrograms/g and 33 micrograms/g creatinine, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Oliveira
- Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Lisbon, Portugal
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Rocha LC. [Acute urinary retention]. AMB Rev Assoc Med Bras 1990; 36:26-8. [PMID: 1962877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L C Rocha
- Disc. de Urol., Univ. Fed. do Paraná
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