ABSTRACT
Os escargots são animais capazes de produzir através de glândulas localizadas em toda superfície do seu corpo, uma secreção glicoproteica com um poder antibacteriano que participa na própria imunidade inata¹. O poder antimicrobiano de determinadas substâncias pode auxiliar nos processos de reparação de feridas de origens diversas. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi o de avaliar macroscopicamente e histologicamente, os efeitos reparadores do muco do escargot Achatina fulica, em lesões provocadas por instrumento cortante na pele de coelhos. Incisões de 10cm de comprimento foram realizadas na pele de 15 coelhos. Estes foram divididos em três grupos e submetidos aos respectivos tratamentos: 1) tratamento com o muco na forma pura, 2) tratamento com o muco sob a forma de pomada e 3) um grupo sem receber o tratamento (controle). As características macroscópicas da lesão foram registradas diariamente e para a análise histológica, uma biópsia foi realizada após 72 horas de tratamento. Os fragmentos processados rotineiramente e corados com Tricrômio de Masson. Histologicamente, a epiderme dos coelhos tratados mostrou uma camada basal de células cúbicas, enquanto os do grupo controle apresentaram uma camada basal de células cilíndricas com áreas desorganizadas e a derme apresentou um estágio mais avançado no processo de reparo quando comparado ao controle. A evolução macroscópica no processo de cicatrização ocorreu num menor espaço de tempo nos coelhos do grupo pomada, em relação aos demais tratamentos.
Escargots are animals capable to produce a glycoproteic secretion by glands located in all the surface of their bodies which among other functions presents anti-bacterial power and participation in the own immunity. The antimicrobioan power of certain substances may aid of repair of wounds with several origins. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate macroscopic and histologically the reparative effects of the mucus of Achatina fulica escargots on lesions made in the skin of rabbits. Incisions were performed in the skin of 15 rabbits, separated in three groups according to the treatment received. Immediately after the lesion, the respective treatments with pure mucus form and in ointment form were supplied, while the other group received no treatment (control group). The macroscopic characteristics of the lesion were registered daily and a biopsy was performed 72 hours after the treatments. The fragments were processed and stained with Masson's trichrome. The macroscopic evolution in the cicatrization process ocurred in a shorter period of time in rabbits from the ointment group, comparativity with the other groups. Histologically, the epidermis of the treated rabbits showed a basal layer of cubic cells, while rabbits of the control group presented a basal layer of cylindrical cells with cutaneous debris.
Subject(s)
Animals , Wound Healing/physiology , Mollusca/metabolism , Mucus , RabbitsABSTRACT
Aqueous extracts of ink from four cephalopods, adult and young Sepiella inermis and Loligo duvaucelli were tested against Moloney murine leukaemia virus reverse transcriptase (MMLV RT). Ink from young cephalopods, S. intermis and L. duvaucelli showed strong inhibition of MMLV RT.
Subject(s)
Animals , Antiviral Agents/isolation & purification , Decapodiformes/metabolism , Mice , Mollusca/metabolism , Moloney murine leukemia virus/drug effects , Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
A study to monitor marine pollution with reference to trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) on T. attenuata, commonly called as screw shell over a period of one year on the whole body and various organs, viz. digestive diverticula, foot, mantle and ovary was conducted from the sandy beach of Porto Novo Coast (Lat 11 degrees 29' N Long: 79 degrees 46' E) of Peninsular India using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Higher concentration of all the four trace metals analysed were recorded in the digestive diverticula, whereas lower concentration of zinc and manganese were recorded in the ovary during the monsoon period. The higher level of trace metal concentration in the monsoon period may be due to the presence of these pollutants in large amounts in water. The accumulation of selected trace metals varies in different seasons according to the extent of pollution load in the marine environment.