Evaluation of the antischistosomal activity of sulfated α-D-glucan from the lichen Ramalina celastri free and encapsulated into liposomes

The antischistosomal activity of the sulfated polysaccharide α-D-glucan (Glu.SO4) extracted from Ramalina celastri was evaluated after encapsulation into liposomes (Glu.SO4-LIPO) in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. The effect of treatment with Glu.SO4 and Glu.SO4-LIPO (10 mg/kg) on egg elimination, worm burden and hepatic granuloma formation was assessed using female albino Swiss mice, 35-40 days of age, weighing 25 ± 2 g, infected with 150 cercariae/animal (Biomphalaria glabrata, BH strain). Four groups (N = 10) were studied, two controls (empty liposomes and NaCl) and two treated groups (Glu.SO4-LIPO and Glu.SO4) using a single dose. Parasitological analysis revealed that Glu.SO4-LIPO was as efficient as Glu.SO4 in reducing egg elimination and worm burden. Treatment with free Glu.SO4 and Glu.SO4-LIPO induced a statistically significant reduction in the number of granulomas (62 and 63 percent, respectively). Lectin histochemistry showed that wheat germ agglutinin intensely stained the egg-granuloma system in all treated groups. On the other hand, peanut agglutinin stained cells in the control groups, but not in the treated groups. The present results suggest a correlation between the decreasing number of hepatic egg-granulomas and the glycosylation profile of the egg-granuloma system in animals treated with free Glu.SO4 or Glu.SO4-LIPO.

Membrana amniótica e pericárdio canino como curativos biológicos na preparação do leito receptor para enxertia cutânea autógena / Canine amniotic membrane and pericardium as a biological wound dressing in the preparation of the recipient site to autogenous skin graft

Avaliou-se o tecido de granulação formado com o uso de membrana amniótica e pericárdio canino como curativo biológico oclusivo em feridas cutâneas experimentais. Utilizaram-se 15 cães; em cada animal, foram produzidas três feridas na região torácica dorsal. As feridas craniais e caudais receberam aloenxerto de membrana amniótica e pericárdio canino, respectivamente, e as feridas intermediárias (controle) curativo não aderente. No sétimo dia, sobre todas as feridas, foram feitas auto-enxertias cutâneas. Foram realizadas avaliações clínicas, histológicas, incluindo contagem e diâmetro médio dos vasos sangüíneos do tecido de granulação bem como coleta de secreção das feridas e dos enxertos. Concluiu-se que a aplicação do curativo de membrana amniótica e de pericárdio canino sobre feridas cutâneas durante sete dias não estimula o aparecimento da granulação necessária para a aplicação à enxertia cutânea, podendo, apenas, ser utilizado como curativo biológico oclusivo.

The granulation tissue formed with the use of amniotic membrane (ME) and canine pericardium (PE) as an occlusive biological dressing in experimental cutaneous wounds was evaluated Fifteen dogs, having three wounds on the dorsal thoracic region of each (FA -amniotic, FC -control and FP-pericardium) were used. Clinical and histological evaluations were carried out, including counting and measuring the average diameter of the blood vessels of the granulation tissue, as well as bacteriological exams (swabs) of the wounds and the grafts. The granulation tissue formed after seven days of using the canine amniotic membrane showed a vascular histological aspect, being able to be favorable to the cutaneous grafting. It was concluded that the use of amniotic membrane and canine pericardium dressing on cutaneous wounds during seven days did not stimulate the presence of granulation necessary for the use of cutaneous grafting, however, it can be used as an occlusive biological graft.