Effect of Rosmarinus officinalis on Mental Disorder Symptoms in Incarcerated People and Prison Workers

Introduction: common mental disorders whose symptoms are not early identified can turn into more serious illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorder. The literature presents the use of rosemary as a form of treatment of physical and mental illnesses, including depression. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of treatments with different doses of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extract on symptoms of Common Mental Disorders (CMD) in incarcerated people and prison workers. Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial study. The intervention was carried out using rosemary extract doses at 100, 500, and 1000 mg day-1 in groups composed of 10 participants, for 3 months. A 20-item self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess the presence of CMD. The project was submitted and approved by the Research Ethics Committee under the number 4,973,589. Results: The treatments with rosemary extract at 500 and 1000 mg day-1 showed statistically significant results for reducing CMD symptoms when compared to the those found at the beginning of the research. Conclusion: The use of rosemary extract was effective to reduce CMD in the evaluated prison staff and incarcerated people, especially when used at doses of 500 and 1000 mg day-1, and presented safety, as the participants did not experience side effects.

Obtainment and characterization of digestive aspartic proteases from the fish Caranx hippos (Linnaeus, 1766) / Obtenção e caracterização de proteases aspárticas digestórias do peixe Caranx hippos (Linnaeus, 1766)

This work aimed to obtain aspartic proteases of industrial and biotechnological interest from the stomach of the crevalle jack fish (Caranx hippos). In order to do so, a crude extract (CE) of the stomach was obtained and subjected to a partial purification by salting-out, which resulted in the enzyme extract (EE) obtainment. EE proteases were characterized physicochemically and by means of zymogram. In addition, the effect of chemical agents on their activity was also assessed. By means of salting-out it was possible to obtain a purification of 1.6 times with a yield of 49.4%. Two acid proteases present in the EE were observed in zymogram. The optimum temperature and thermal stability for EE acidic proteases were 55 ºC and 45 °C, respectively. The optimum pH and pH stability found for these enzymes were pH 1.5 and 7.0, respectively. Total inhibition of EE acid proteolytic activity was observed in the presence of pepstatin A. dithiothreitol (DTT) and Ca2+ did not promote a significant effect on enzyme activity. In the presence of heavy metals, such as Al3+, Cd2+ and Hg2+, EE acidic proteases showed more than 70% of their enzymatic activity. The results show that it is possible to obtain, from the stomach of C. hippos, aspartic proteases with high proteolytic activity and characteristics that demonstrate potential for industrial and biotechnological applications.

Este trabalho objetivou obter proteases aspárticas de interesse industrial e biotecnológico a partir do estômago do peixe xaréu (Caranx hippos). Para isso, foi obtido um extrato bruto do estômago, o qual foi submetido a uma purificação parcial por salting-out onde se obteve o extrato enzimático (EE). As proteases do EE foram caracterizadas físico-quimicamente e através de zimograma. Além disso, o efeito de agentes químicos sobre sua atividade também foi avaliado. Através de salting-out foi possível obter uma purificação de 1,6 vezes com rendimento de 49,4%. Foram observadas duas proteases ácidas presentes no EE através de zimograma. A temperatura ótima e a estabilidade térmica para as proteases ácidas do EE foram de 55 ºC e 45 °C, respectivamente. O pH ótimo e a estabilidade ao pH encontrados para estas enzimas foram o pH 1,5 e 7,0, respectivamente. Observou-se a inibição total da atividade proteolítica ácida do EE na presença de pepstatina A. O ditiotreitol (DTT) e o Ca2+ não promoveram efeito significativo na atividade enzimática. Na presença de metais pesados, como Al3+, Cd2+ e Hg2+, o EE manteve mais de 70% de atividade enzimática do EE. Os resultados mostram que é possível obter, a partir do estômago de C. hippos, proteases aspárticas com alta atividade proteolítica e características que demonstram potencial para aplicações industriais e biotecnológicas.

Obtainment and characterization of digestive aspartic proteases from the fish Caranx hippos (Linnaeus, 1766) / Obtenção e caracterização de proteases aspárticas digestórias do peixe Caranx hippos (Linnaeus, 1766)

This work aimed to obtain aspartic proteases of industrial and biotechnological interest from the stomach of the crevalle jack fish (Caranx hippos). In order to do so, a crude extract (CE) of the stomach was obtained and subjected to a partial purification by salting-out, which resulted in the enzyme extract (EE) obtainment. EE proteases were characterized physicochemically and by means of zymogram. In addition, the effect of chemical agents on their activity was also assessed. By means of salting-out it was possible to obtain a purification of 1.6 times with a yield of 49.4%. Two acid proteases present in the EE were observed in zymogram. The optimum temperature and thermal stability for EE acidic proteases were 55 ºC and 45 °C, respectively. The optimum pH and pH stability found for these enzymes were pH 1.5 and 7.0, respectively. Total inhibition of EE acid proteolytic activity was observed in the presence of pepstatin A. dithiothreitol (DTT) and Ca2+ did not promote a significant effect on enzyme activity. In the presence of heavy metals, such as Al3+, Cd2+ and Hg2+, EE acidic proteases showed more than 70% of their enzymatic activity. The results show that it is possible to obtain, from the stomach of C. hippos, aspartic proteases with high proteolytic activity and characteristics that demonstrate potential for industrial and biotechnological applications.

Este trabalho objetivou obter proteases aspárticas de interesse industrial e biotecnológico a partir do estômago do peixe xaréu (Caranx hippos). Para isso, foi obtido um extrato bruto do estômago, o qual foi submetido a uma purificação parcial por salting-out onde se obteve o extrato enzimático (EE). As proteases do EE foram caracterizadas físico-quimicamente e através de zimograma. Além disso, o efeito de agentes químicos sobre sua atividade também foi avaliado. Através de salting-out foi possível obter uma purificação de 1,6 vezes com rendimento de 49,4%. Foram observadas duas proteases ácidas presentes no EE através de zimograma. A temperatura ótima e a estabilidade térmica para as proteases ácidas do EE foram de 55 ºC e 45 °C, respectivamente. O pH ótimo e a estabilidade ao pH encontrados para estas enzimas foram o pH 1,5 e 7,0, respectivamente. Observou-se a inibição total da atividade proteolítica ácida do EE na presença de pepstatina A. O ditiotreitol (DTT) e o Ca2+ não promoveram efeito significativo na atividade enzimática. Na presença de metais pesados, como Al3+, Cd2+ e Hg2+, o EE manteve mais de 70% de atividade enzimática do EE. Os resultados mostram que é possível obter, a partir do estômago de C. hippos, proteases aspárticas com alta atividade proteolítica e características que demonstram potencial para aplicações industriais e biotecnológicas.

Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833) stomach: a source of aspartic proteases for industrial and biotechnological applications / Estômago de Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833): uma fonte de proteases aspárticas para aplicações industriais e biotecnológicas

The viscera and other residues from fish processing are commonly discarded by the fishing industry. These by products can be a source of digestive enzymes with industrial and biotechnological potential. In this study, we aimed at the extraction, characterization, and application of acidic proteases from the stomach of Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833). A crude extract from the stomachs was obtained and submitted to a partial purification process by salting-out, which obtained a Purified Extract (PE) with a specific proteolytic activity of 54.0 U·mg-¹. A purification of 1.9 fold and a yield of 41% were obtained. The PE presents two isoforms of acidic proteases and a maximum proteolytic activity at 45 °C and pH 2.0. The PE acidic proteolytic activity was stable in the pH range of 1.5 to 7.0 and temperature from 25 °C to 50 °C. Purified Extract kept 35% of its proteolytic activity at the presence of NaCl 15% (m/v) but was totally inhibited by pepstatin A. Purified Extract aspartic proteases presented high activity in the presence of heavy metals such as Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Al3+, and Cu2+. The utilization of PE as an enzymatic addictive in the collagen extraction from Nile tilapia scales has doubled the process yield. The results indicate the potential of these aspartic proteases for industrial and biotechnological applications.

As vísceras e outros resíduos do processamento de peixes são geralmente descartados pela indústria pesqueira. Esses resíduos podem ser uma fonte de enzimas digestivas com potencial industrial e biotecnológico. Neste estudo, objetivamos a extração, caracterização e aplicação de proteases aspárticas do estômago de Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833). Um extrato bruto do estômago foi obtido e submetido a um processo de purificação parcial, que obteve um Extrato Purificado (EP) com uma atividade proteolítica específica de 54,0 U·mg-¹. Foi obtida uma purificação de 1,9 vezes e um rendimento de 41%. O EP apresenta duas isoformas de proteases ácidas e atividade proteolítica máxima a 45 °C e pH 2,0. A atividade proteolítica do EP foi estável na faixa de pH de 1,5 a 7,0 e temperatura de 25 °C a 50 °C. O EP manteve 35% de sua atividade proteolítica na presença de NaCl a 15% (m/v), mas foi totalmente inibida pela pepstatina A. As proteases ácidas do EP apresentaram alta atividade na presença de metais pesados como o Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Al3+ e Cu2+. A utilização de EP como aditivo enzimático na extração de colágeno a partir de escamas de tilápia do Nilo dobrou o rendimento do processo. Os resultados indicam um potencial dessas proteases para aplicações industriais e biotecnológicas.

Obtainment and characterization of digestive aspartic proteases from the fish Caranx hippos (Linnaeus, 1766)

Abstract This work aimed to obtain aspartic proteases of industrial and biotechnological interest from the stomach of the crevalle jack fish (Caranx hippos). In order to do so, a crude extract (CE) of the stomach was obtained and subjected to a partial purification by salting-out, which resulted in the enzyme extract (EE) obtainment. EE proteases were characterized physicochemically and by means of zymogram. In addition, the effect of chemical agents on their activity was also assessed. By means of salting-out it was possible to obtain a purification of 1.6 times with a yield of 49.4%. Two acid proteases present in the EE were observed in zymogram. The optimum temperature and thermal stability for EE acidic proteases were 55 ºC and 45 °C, respectively. The optimum pH and pH stability found for these enzymes were pH 1.5 and 7.0, respectively. Total inhibition of EE acid proteolytic activity was observed in the presence of pepstatin A. dithiothreitol (DTT) and Ca2+ did not promote a significant effect on enzyme activity. In the presence of heavy metals, such as Al3+, Cd2+ and Hg2+, EE acidic proteases showed more than 70% of their enzymatic activity. The results show that it is possible to obtain, from the stomach of C. hippos, aspartic proteases with high proteolytic activity and characteristics that demonstrate potential for industrial and biotechnological applications.

Resumo Este trabalho objetivou obter proteases aspárticas de interesse industrial e biotecnológico a partir do estômago do peixe xaréu (Caranx hippos). Para isso, foi obtido um extrato bruto do estômago, o qual foi submetido a uma purificação parcial por salting-out onde se obteve o extrato enzimático (EE). As proteases do EE foram caracterizadas físico-quimicamente e através de zimograma. Além disso, o efeito de agentes químicos sobre sua atividade também foi avaliado. Através de salting-out foi possível obter uma purificação de 1,6 vezes com rendimento de 49,4%. Foram observadas duas proteases ácidas presentes no EE através de zimograma. A temperatura ótima e a estabilidade térmica para as proteases ácidas do EE foram de 55 ºC e 45 °C, respectivamente. O pH ótimo e a estabilidade ao pH encontrados para estas enzimas foram o pH 1,5 e 7,0, respectivamente. Observou-se a inibição total da atividade proteolítica ácida do EE na presença de pepstatina A. O ditiotreitol (DTT) e o Ca2+ não promoveram efeito significativo na atividade enzimática. Na presença de metais pesados, como Al3+, Cd2+ e Hg2+, o EE manteve mais de 70% de atividade enzimática do EE. Os resultados mostram que é possível obter, a partir do estômago de C. hippos, proteases aspárticas com alta atividade proteolítica e características que demonstram potencial para aplicações industriais e biotecnológicas.

Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833) stomach: a source of aspartic proteases for industrial and biotechnological applications

Abstract The viscera and other residues from fish processing are commonly discarded by the fishing industry. These by-products can be a source of digestive enzymes with industrial and biotechnological potential. In this study, we aimed at the extraction, characterization, and application of acidic proteases from the stomach of Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833). A crude extract from the stomachs was obtained and submitted to a partial purification process by salting-out, which obtained a Purified Extract (PE) with a specific proteolytic activity of 54.0 Umg-1. A purification of 1.9 fold and a yield of 41% were obtained. The PE presents two isoforms of acidic proteases and a maximum proteolytic activity at 45 °C and pH 2.0. The PE acidic proteolytic activity was stable in the pH range of 1.5 to 7.0 and temperature from 25 °C to 50 °C. Purified Extract kept 35% of its proteolytic activity at the presence of NaCl 15% (m/v) but was totally inhibited by pepstatin A. Purified Extract aspartic proteases presented high activity in the presence of heavy metals such as Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Al3+, and Cu2+. The utilization of PE as an enzymatic addictive in the collagen extraction from Nile tilapia scales has doubled the process yield. The results indicate the potential of these aspartic proteases for industrial and biotechnological applications.

Resumo As vísceras e outros resíduos do processamento de peixes são geralmente descartados pela indústria pesqueira. Esses resíduos podem ser uma fonte de enzimas digestivas com potencial industrial e biotecnológico. Neste estudo, objetivamos a extração, caracterização e aplicação de proteases aspárticas do estômago de Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833). Um extrato bruto do estômago foi obtido e submetido a um processo de purificação parcial, que obteve um Extrato Purificado (EP) com uma atividade proteolítica específica de 54,0 Umg-1. Foi obtida uma purificação de 1,9 vezes e um rendimento de 41%. O EP apresenta duas isoformas de proteases ácidas e atividade proteolítica máxima a 45 °C e pH 2,0. A atividade proteolítica do EP foi estável na faixa de pH de 1,5 a 7,0 e temperatura de 25 °C a 50 °C. O EP manteve 35% de sua atividade proteolítica na presença de NaCl a 15% (m/v), mas foi totalmente inibida pela pepstatina A. As proteases ácidas do EP apresentaram alta atividade na presença de metais pesados como o Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Al3+ e Cu2+. A utilização de EP como aditivo enzimático na extração de colágeno a partir de escamas de tilápia do Nilo dobrou o rendimento do processo. Os resultados indicam um potencial dessas proteases para aplicações industriais e biotecnológicas

Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833) stomach: a source of aspartic proteases for industrial and biotechnological applications / Estômago de Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833): uma fonte de proteases aspárticas para aplicações industriais e biotecnológicas

The viscera and other residues from fish processing are commonly discarded by the fishing industry. These byproducts can be a source of digestive enzymes with industrial and biotechnological potential. In this study, we aimed at the extraction, characterization, and application of acidic proteases from the stomach of Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833). A crude extract from the stomachs was obtained and submitted to a partial purification process by salting-out, which obtained a Purified Extract (PE) with a specific proteolytic activity of 54.0 U·mg-1. A purification of 1.9 fold and a yield of 41% were obtained. The PE presents two isoforms of acidic proteases and a maximum proteolytic activity at 45 °C and pH 2.0. The PE acidic proteolytic activity was stable in the pH range of 1.5 to 7.0 and temperature from 25 °C to 50 °C. Purified Extract kept 35% of its proteolytic activity at the presence of NaCl 15% (m/v) but was totally inhibited by pepstatin A. Purified Extract aspartic proteases presented high activity in the presence of heavy metals such as Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Al3+, and Cu2+. The utilization of PE as an enzymatic addictive in the collagen extraction from Nile tilapia scales has doubled the process yield. The results indicate the potential of these aspartic proteases for industrial and biotechnological applications.

As vísceras e outros resíduos do processamento de peixes são geralmente descartados pela indústria pesqueira. Esses resíduos podem ser uma fonte de enzimas digestivas com potencial industrial e biotecnológico. Neste estudo, objetivamos a extração, caracterização e aplicação de proteases aspárticas do estômago de Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833). Um extrato bruto do estômago foi obtido e submetido a um processo de purificação parcial, que obteve um Extrato Purificado (EP) com uma atividade proteolítica específica de 54,0 U·mg-1. Foi obtida uma purificação de 1,9 vezes e um rendimento de 41%. O EP apresenta duas isoformas de proteases ácidas e atividade proteolítica máxima a 45 °C e pH 2,0. A atividade proteolítica do EP foi estável na faixa de pH de 1,5 a 7,0 e temperatura de 25 °C a 50 °C. O EP manteve 35% de sua atividade proteolítica na presença de NaCl a 15% (m/v), mas foi totalmente inibida pela pepstatina A. As proteases ácidas do EP apresentaram alta atividade na presença de metais pesados como o Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Al3+ e Cu2+. A utilização de EP como aditivo enzimático na extração de colágeno a partir de escamas de tilápia do Nilo dobrou o rendimento do processo. Os resultados indicam um potencial dessas proteases para aplicações industriais e biotecnológicas.

Biomechanical and biochemical investigation of erythrocytes in late stage human leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which can cause lipid changes in the erythrocyte membrane. Optical tweezers were used to characterize rheological changes in erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis in the late stage. Biochemical methods were also used for quantification of plasma lipid, erythrocyte membrane lipid, and evaluation of liver function. Our data showed that the mean elastic constant of erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis was around 67% higher than the control (healthy individuals), indicating that patient's erythrocytes were less elastic. In individuals with leptospirosis, several alterations in relation to control were observed in the plasma lipids, however, in the erythrocyte membrane, only phosphatidylcholine showed a significant difference compared to control, increasing around 41%. With respect to the evaluation of liver function of individuals with leptospirosis, there was a significant increase in levels of alanine transaminase (154%) and aspartate transaminase (150%), whereas albumin was 43.8% lower than control (P<0.01). The lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase fractional activity was 3.6 times lower in individuals with leptospirosis than in the healthy individuals (P<0.01). The decrease of the erythrocyte elasticity may be related to the changes of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids composition caused by disturbances that occur during human leptospirosis, with phosphatidylcholine being a strong candidate in the erythrocyte rheological changes.

Indomethacin attenuates mechanical allodynia during the organization but not the maintenance of the peripheral neuropathic pain induced by nervus ischiadicus chronic constriction injury

The neurochemical mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain (NP) are related to peripheral and central sensitization caused by the release of inflammatory mediators in the peripheral damaged tissue and ectopic discharges from the injured nerve, leading to a hyperexcitable state of spinal dorsal horn neurons. The aim of this work was to clarify the role played by cyclooxygenase (COX) in the lesioned peripheral nerve in the development and maintenance of NP by evaluating at which moment the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin, a non-selective COX inhibitor, attenuated mechanical allodynia after placing one loose ligature around the nervus ischiadicus, an adaptation of Bennett and Xie's model in rodents. NP was induced in male Wistar rats by subjecting them to chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the nervus ischiadicus, placing one loose ligature around the peripheral nerve, and a sham surgery (without CCI) was used as control. Indomethacin (2 mg/kg) or vehicle was intraperitoneally and acutely administered in each group of rats and at different time windows (1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days) after the CCI or sham surgical procedures, followed by von Frey's test for 30 min. The data showed that indomethacin decreased the mechanical allodynia threshold of rats on the first, second, and fourth days after CCI (P<0.05). These findings suggested that inflammatory mechanisms are involved in the induction of NP and that COX-1 and COX-2 are involved in the induction but not in the maintenance of NP.

A simulação da biomassa de aveia por elementos climáticos, nitrogênio e regulador de crescimento / The simulation of the oat biomass by climatic elements, nitrogen and growth regulator

A produção de biomassa de aveia voltada à elaboração de silagem de qualidade é dependente de elementos climáticos e nitrogênio sem ocorrência de acamamento. O objetivo do presente estudo é a definição da dose ideal do regulador de crescimento que possibilite, no máximo, 5% de acamamento de plantas de aveia, bem como a identificação das variáveis potenciais para composição do modelo de regressão linear múltipla com simulação da produtividade de biomassa à elaboração de silagem nas condições de uso do regulador, em reduzida, alta e muito alta fertilização com nitrogênio. O estudo foi conduzido em 2013, 2014 e 2015, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições em esquema fatorial 4x3, para doses de regulador (0, 200, 400 e 600mL ha-1) e doses de nitrogênio (30, 90 e 150kg ha-1), respectivamente. A dose de 495mL ha-1 de regulador se mostra eficiente na redução do acamamento de plantas de aveia em condição de reduzida, alta e muito alta fertilização com nitrogênio. A soma térmica, a precipitação, a radiação, a dose de regulador e o nitrogênio qualificam a composição do modelo de regressão linear múltipla, tornando eficiente a simulação da produtividade de biomassa da aveia para silagem ao longo do ciclo.(AU)

The production of oat biomass focused on the development of quality silage is dependent on climatic elements and nitrogen without lodging occurrence. The objective of the study is to define the optimal dose of growth regulator that allows a maximum of 5% oat plant lodging and identify potential variables for composition of multiple linear regression model with productivity simulation of biomass to the preparation of silage in the conditions of low, high and very high fertilization with nitrogen. The study was conducted in 2013, 2014, and 2015 in the randomized block design with four replications in a factorial 4x3, for regulator doses (0, 200, 400 and 600ml ha-1) and nitrogen doses (30, 90 and 150kg ha-1), respectively. The dose of 495mL ha-1 regulator is efficient in reducing the oat plant lodging in condition reduced, high, and very high fertilization with nitrogen. Thermal time, precipitation, radiation, regulator dose and nitrogen dose qualify the composition of the multiple linear regression model, making efficient the biomass oat productivity simulation for silage over the cycle.(AU)

Tratamento de feridas excisionais de coelhos com extrato de barbatimão associado a células mononucleares autólogas da medula óssea / Treatment of excisional wound in rabbits with barbatiman extracts associated with autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o processo de cicatrização de feridas de coelhos tratadas com extrato de barbatimão (S. adstringens) associado a células mononucleares autólogas da medula óssea (CMMO). Utilizaram-se 20 coelhos, distribuídos em quatro grupos: B, extrato de barbatimão; CB, CMMO com extrato de barbatimão; CS, CMMO com solução fisiológica; S, solução fisiológica. Foi avaliada a presença de crosta, hiperemia, secreção, hemorragia, reepitelização, área da ferida e tempo de cicatrização. No terceiro, sétimo, 14º e 21º dias pós-operatório, realizou-se a biópsia das feridas e avaliaram-se os indicadores dos processos de inflamação e de reparo, com destaque para o colágeno, na coloração picrosírius, bem como de proliferação celular, na coloração AgNOR. Houve maior deposição de fibras colágenas nos grupos B e CB (P=0,00003) e formação de crostas mais espessas no sétimo dia, com fibras colágenas mais organizadas no 21º dia. Conclui-se que o barbatimão estimula a produção de fibras colágenas e promove a formação de crostas mais espessas sobre a ferida na fase inicial da cicatrização e, na fase de remodelação, favorece a orientação das fibras colágenas. Além disso, a associação desse fitoterápico com CMMO não estimula a cicatrização de feridas.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the healing process of wounds of rabbits in response to treatment with barbatiman extract (S. adstringens) associated with autologous mononuclear bone marrow cells (BM-MNC). We used 20 rabbits, divided into four groups: B, 10% barbatiman extract with 9.48% of total tannins; CB, BM-MNC with barbatiman extract; CS, BM-MNC with NaCl 0.9% solution; S, NaCl 0.9% solution. Clinical evaluation was performed by observing the presence of crust, redness, discharge, bleeding, re-epithelialization, the wound area and healing time in days. In the third, seventh, 14th and 21st postoperative days wounds were biopsied for microscopic evaluation of inflammation and repair process indicators, especially collagen, in picrosirius staining, and cell proliferation, in AgNOR staining. There was a greater deposition of collagen fibers in groups B and CB (p=0.00003) on the seventh day and formation of thicker crusts, and more organized collagen fibers on the 21st day in these groups. In conclusion, in the initial phase of healing, barbatiman extract stimulates the production of collagen fibers and promotes the formation of more exuberant crusts on the wounds and remodeling phase favors the orientation of collagen fibers, but when combined with BMMC does not stimulate wound healing in rabbits.(AU)

Extratos vegetais no controle da antracnose e na conservação da qualidade em frutos de mamoeiro / Plant extracts in controlling anthracnose and quality conservation in papayas fruit

RESUMO O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a ação antifúngica dos extratos de Allamanda blanchetti A.DC. e Momordica charantia L. no controle de Colletotrichumgloesporioides e qualidade pós-colheita em frutos de mamoeiro da cultivar Sunrise solo. Os experimentos foram conduzidos nos Laboratório de Fitopatologia e Laboratório de Produtos de Origem Animal, CCA-UFPB, Campus.II, Areia-PB. Os frutos foram colhidos no estádio 1 de maturação, em seguida, sanitizados com hipoclorito de sódio a 1% por três minutos e pulverizados com os extratos etanólicos de A. blanchetti e M. charantia nas concentrações: 0, 10, 100, 500 e 1000 µg.mL-1. Os frutos foram distribuídos em bandejas de polipropileno expandido em temperatura ambiente (23±2 °C) e umidade relativa em torno de 70%. Após doze dias de armazenamento, os frutos foram avaliados quanto à incidência natural de C. gloesporioides, severidade, atividade da enzima peroxidase, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, relação SS/AT, perda de massa e aparência externa dos frutos. Foi realizada análise de regressão polinomial testando modelos até o terceiro grau para as concentrações dos extratos utilizando análise de variância pelo teste F enquanto as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade, através do programa SAS® 9.2. Não se observou diferença estatística quando avaliou-se a incidência natural de C. gloesporioides em frutos de mamoeiro utilizando os extratos de A. blanchetti e M. charantia. Já na avaliação da severidade da antracnose, verificou-se diferença para o tratamento com o extrato de A. blanchetti, que apresentou as menores escalas de notas em relação ao tratamento com a M. charantia. Observou-se atividade da peroxidase (POD) em frutos de mamoeiro nos extratos de A. blanchetti e M. charantia. Os frutos tratados com A. blanchetti apresentaram teor de acidez, com máximo de 0,12 g de ácido cítrico.100 g-1 e no de M. charantiaapresentou aumento para 0,15 g de ácido cítrico.100 g-1. A relação SS/AT diminuiu com o aumento das concentrações dos dois extratos. Os frutos tratados com A. blanchetti apresentaram maior perda de massa durante todo o armazenamento, sendo maior que 10% aos nove dias. Já a perda de massa dos frutos tratados com M. charantia apresentou comportamento linear, sendo superior a 12% aos 12 dias de armazenamento. A cor evoluiu de 1 (verde) para 6 (casca alaranjada) e a aparência dos frutos diminuiu com o decorrer do tempo de 5 (excelente) para 3 (regular) em todas concentrações dos extratos de A. blanchetti e M. charantia. Os extratos de A. blanchetti e M. charantia não reduziram a incidência natural, porém, só o extrato de A. blanchetti foi responsável por reduzir a severidade da antracnose. Ocorreu a atividade da enzima peroxidase em todos os tratamentos avaliados e conservaram a qualidade pós-colheita em frutos até os nove dias de armazenamento.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal effect of the extracts Allamandablanchetti A.DC. and Momordica charantia L. in the control of Colletotrichum gloesporioides in papaya fruits of the Sunrise Solo cultivation, as well as their post-harvest quality. The trials were conducted in the Laboratory of Plant Pathology and Animal Products Laboratory, CCA-UFPB, Campus II, Areia-PB. The fruits were harvested at maturity stage 1, then sanitized with sodium hypochlorite 1% for three minutes and sprayed with ethanol extracts of A. blanchetti and M.charantia at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, 500 and 1000 μg.mL-1.The fruits were distributed in polypropylene trays expanded at room temperature (23±2 °C) and relative humidity around 70%. After twelve days of storage, the fruits were evaluated for natural incidence of C. gloesporioides, severity, peroxidase enzyme activity, soluble solids, titratable acidity, SS/TA ratio, weight loss and external appearance of the fruit. Polynomial regression testing models to the third degree were employed for the extracts of concentrations, using analysis of variance by F test. The averages were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability, through the SAS® 9.2 program. There was no statistical difference observed when we evaluated the natural incidence of C. gloesporioides in the papaya fruit, using extracts from A. blanchetti and M. charantia. In the assessment of the severity of the anthracnose, there was no statistical difference for the treatment with the extract of A. blanchetti, which had smaller scales of notes when compared with the treatment using the M. charantia. It was observed peroxidase activity (POD) in the papaya fruits treated with the extracts of A. blanchetti and M. charantia. The fruits treated with A. blanchetti presented a maximum dose of acidity of 0.12 g g-1 of citric acid.100 g-1. In the fruits treated with M. charantia this increase was of 0.15g of citric acid.100 g-1. The SS/TA ratio decreased with increasing concentrations of the two extracts. The fruits treated with A. blanchettipresented higher weight loss of approximately 10%, since the M. charantia was over 12%. The color evolved from 1 (green) to 6 (Orange Peel) and the appearance of the fruit got worse according to the time, from 5 (excellent) to 3 (regular) in all the concentrations of the extracts of A. blanchetti and M. charantia. The A. blanchetti and M. charantia extracts did not reduce the natural incidence, however, only the A. blanchetti extract was able to decrease the severity of the anthracnose. The peroxidase enzyme presented activity in all treatments and kept the postharvest quality of the fruits in the nine days of storage.

Distribuição espacial de acidentes escorpiônicos em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 2005 a 2009 / Spatial distribution of scorpion sting accidents in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 2005 to 2009

Acidentes por escorpião constituem problema de saúde pública em Belo Horizonte. Realizou-se um estudo epidemiológico observacional retrospectivo para analisar a frequência e distribuição espacial dos acidentes escorpiônicos em Belo Horizonte, entre 2005 e 2009, e associá-las às categorias de risco classificadas pelo Índice de Vulnerabilidade à Saúde (IVS), um índice socioeconômico regional composto. Foram utilizados dados de notificação do Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) e Sistema de Vigilância Epidemiológica (SISVE), referentes aos anos de 2008 e 2009. Para o período de 2005 a 2007, foi necessário o resgate de dados das fichas clínicas do Hospital João XXIII (HPSJXXIII) correspondentes às variáveis encontradas no SINAN e SISVE, uma vez que os mesmos não estavam digitalizados nos referidos sistemas de informação. Para georreferenciamento e análise espacial, foi utilizada a base geográfica EndGeo, o aplicativo de mapeamento MapInfo versão 10.0 e os programas Hotspot Detective e SatScan. Entre 2005 e 2009, ocorreram em Belo Horizonte 2.769 casos de acidentes por escorpião, o que representa uma incidência média de 22,4 casos por 100.000 habitantes. Do total de casos, 1.924 (69,5 porcento) foram georreferenciados e houve predomínio de incidência em dois Distritos Sanitários (DS), com grande concentração de casos nas regiões de cemitérios do município. Foram detectados dois "clusters" no período, sendo um em 2005, nos DS Noroeste e Oeste, e outro entre 2006 e 2007, nos DS Noroeste e Nordeste. Não houve associação entre as áreas de maior incidência de escorpionismo e as áreas de maior risco à saúde classificadas pelo IVS. Com base nos resultados, conclui-se que há necessidade de melhorias no processo de notificação do agravo e que o mapeamento dos casos é uma ferramenta relevante capaz de embasar o direcionamento das ações educativas de controle para as áreas prioritárias de Belo Horizonte...

Scorpion sting accidents are a public health problem in Belo Horizonte and veterinarians play an important role in its control program when based on capture, mapping of cases and educational actions with the population. A retrospective epidemiological study was done to analyze the frequency and spatial distribution of scorpion sting cases in Belo Horizonte, between 2005 and 2009, and to associate them with the Health Vulnerability Index (IVS), a regional and composed socio-economic index. Notification data of scorpion sting accidents were used from the National System of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) and Epidemiological Surveillance System (SISVE) for years 2008 and 2009. For the period between 2005 and 2007 it was necessary to retrieve data from the clinical records of João XXIII Hospital (HPSJ XXIII) which were not digitalized in the referred information systems. For georeference and spatial analysis, geographic base EndGeo and features of the programs MapInfo version 10.0, Hotspot Detective and SatScan were used. Between 2005 and 2009 2769 cases of scorpionism, occurred in Belo Horizonte which represents an average incidence of 22.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Among 1924 (69.5 percent) georeferenced cases, the highest incidence was observed in two Sanitary District (DS). A large concentration of cases was also observed in the areas of the city cemeteries. Two clusters were detected during this period, one in 2005, located in the Northwest and West DS, and another between 2006 and 2007 in the Northwest and Northeast DS. There was no association between higher incidence areas of scorpionism in Belo Horizonte and the areas of higher health risk classified by IVS. It is necessary to improve the reporting process regarding scorpion sting accidents. Another conclusion is that the mapping of cases is a relevant tool to base the targeting of educative actions to the priority areas of Belo Horizonte...

Acute effect of alcohol intake on sine-wave Cartesian and polar contrast sensitivity functions

The aim of this study was to assess contrast sensitivity for angular frequency stimuli as well as for sine-wave gratings in adults under the effect of acute ingestion of alcohol. We measured the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) for gratings of 0.25, 1.25, 2.5, 4, 10, and 20 cycles per degree of visual angle (cpd) as well as for angular frequency stimuli of 1, 2, 4, 24, 48, and 96 cycles/360°. Twenty adults free of ocular diseases, with normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity, and no history of alcoholism were enrolled in two experimental groups: 1) no alcohol intake (control group) and 2) alcohol ingestion (experimental group). The average concentration of alcohol in the experimental group was set to about 0.08%. We used a paradigm involving a forced-choice method. Maximum sensitivity to contrast for sine-wave gratings in the two groups occurred at 4 cpd sine-wave gratings and at 24 and 48 cycles/360° for angular frequency stimuli. Significant changes in contrast sensitivity were observed after alcohol intake compared with the control condition at spatial frequency of 4 cpd and 1, 24, and 48 cycles/360° for angular frequency stimuli. Alcohol intake seems to affect the processing of sine-wave gratings at maximum sensitivity and at the low and high frequency ends for angular frequency stimuli, both under photopic luminance conditions.

Atividade antioxidante de Piper arboreum, Piper dilatatum e Piper divaricatum / Antioxidant activity of Piper arboreum, Piper dilatatum, and Piper divaricatum

Os óleos essenciais de P. arboreum, P. dilatatum e P. divaricatum foram obtidos por hidrodestilação e analisados por CG-DIC e CG-EM. Extratos etanólicos foram preparados por extração exaustiva. A atividade antioxidante de óleos e extratos foi avaliada por meio do método de sequestro de radicais livres usando 2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazila. Os teores de óleos essenciais foram de 0,98%, 1,50% e 0,99% para P. arboreum, P. dilatatum e P. divaricatum, respectivamente. Esses óleos demonstraram riqueza em sesquiterpenos, sendo os principais componentes: biciclogermacreno (28,7%) e ß-copaen-4-α-ol (13,3%) para P. arboreum; germacreno D (16,7%), α-alaskeno (18,9%) e viridiflorol (12,5%) para P. dilatatum; e germacreno D (9,4%), valenceno (11,1%) e γ-cadineno (11,0%) para P. divaricatum. No teste de atividade antioxidante, com base nas percentagens de sequestro de radicais, foram determinados a concentrações efetivas (CE50) e o Índice de Atividade Antioxidante (IAA). Os seguintes valores de CE50 e IAA foram encontrados: ácido ascórbico (usado como referência) 226,84 µg.mL-1 e 5,30; extrato de P. arboreum 239,60 µg.mL-1 e 4,90, e extrato de P. dilatatum 367,70 µg.mL-1 e 3,20, respectivamente. A metodologia utilizada para a atividade antioxidante mostrou-se inadequada para o extrato da P. divaricatum. Os óleos essenciais não apresentaram atividade antioxidante significativa, entretanto, os extratos etanólicos de P. arboreum e de P. dilatatum apresentaram atividade antioxidante expressiva.

were obtained by means of hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The ethanolic extracts were prepared by exhaustive extraction. The antioxidant activity of the oils and extracts were evaluated by applying the free radical scavenging method using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. The yields of the essential oils were 0.98%, 1.50% and 0.99% for P. arboreum, P. dilatatum and P. divaricatum, respectively. The oils are rich in sesquiterpenes, and the main components of P. arboreum are the bicyclogermacrene (28.7%) and ß-copaen-4-α-ol (13.3%); of P. dilatatum, the germacrene D (16.7%), α-alaskene (18.9%) and viridiflorol (12.5%); and of P. divaricatum, the germacrene D (9.4%), valencene (11.1%) and γ-cadinene (11.0%). The antioxidant activity test, based on the percentages of radical scavenging, determined the effective concentrations (CE50) and the Antioxidant Activity Index (AAI). The following CE50 and AAI values were found: 226.84 µg.mL-1 and 5.30 for ascorbic acid (used as the reference), 239.60 µg.mL-1 and 4.90 for P. arboreum, and 367.70 µg.mL-1 and 3.20 for P. dilatatum. The antioxidant evaluation using this methodology is not applicable for the P. divaricatum extract. These essential oils did not present a significant antioxidant activity. However, the ethanolic extracts of P. arboreum and P. dilatatum did show a strong antioxidant

Mordedura canina e atendimento antirrábico humano em Minas Gerais / Dog bite and human anti-rabies healthcare, Minas Gerais

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi descrever e avaliar a mordedura canina e o atendimento antirrábico humano em Minas Gerais, de 1999 a 2004, correlacionando fontes de informação e áreas de risco predeterminadas para raiva humana transmitida por cão. Realizou-se um estudo observacional descritivo retrospectivo, utilizando-se, de forma adaptada, a análise exploratória de prontuários dos atendimentos da Superintendência de Epidemiologia da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de Minas Gerais (339.012 de atendimentos), do Sistema de Informação de Notificação de Agravos, do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade, do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares e do Programa Nacional de Imunizações (132.452 fichas). Para a classificação dos agravos, usou-se o Código Internacional de Doenças (10ª revisão). Os dados foram armazenados e analisados com auxílio dos softwares Epi-Info, Tab-Win e Office®. Verificou-se que o tratamento antirrábico humano é excessivo nas áreas de baixo e médio risco para raiva e, ao contrário, reduzido nas áreas de alto risco. O perfil do paciente é estudante masculino, menor de 14 anos, residente em área urbana de baixo risco para raiva humana transmitida por cão, com mordedura única nos membros, provocada por cão sadio e observável. Os sistemas de informação não oferecem a confiabilidade necessária ao médico responsável para a prescrição do tratamento antirrábico adequado. A profilaxia da raiva deve ter um aspecto multicêntrico, com interfaces na atenção tanto à saúde humana quanto à animal, o que não tem ocorrido, propiciando falhas na vigilância e no atendimento do agravo.

The objective of the present paper is describe and evaluate dog bite and some aspects of anti-rabid human care in Minas Gerais during five years, correlating the sources of information and epidemiological risk areas defined for human rabies transmitted by dogs in the State. We performed an observational retrospective study by adapted exploration form analysis, from 1999 to 2004, using databases of Epidemiology of Minas Gerais and National Information Systems of reportable disease, Immunization, Mortality, Hospitalization, International Code of Diseases (10th revision). The areas of risk for human rabies transmitted by dogs were pre determined. The dog bite is still the main complaint that leads to care. The profile of the patient is a male student, under 14 years of age, with a single wound in members, resident in an urban low risk area for human rabies transmitted by dogs, and is healthy and observable. The treatment is excessive in areas of low and medium risk. In high-risk areas, there is a low indication of treatment. Information systems do not offer the reliability required by the doctor responsible for prescribing the appropriate anti-rabies treatment. Rabies prophylaxis should have a multi-centre aspect, with interfaces in attention to health and veterinary, which has not occurred, providing surveillance failures.

Recusas de borrifação de imóveis e ocorrência de casos de leishmaniose visceral na Regional Noroeste de Belo Horizonte / Refusal of spraying of buildings and the occurrence of cases of visceral leishmaniasis in North West region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram caracterizar as recusas por parte da população em permitir a borrifação de seus imóveis, em quatro regiões de Belo Horizonte, no período de 2006 a 2008, e relacionar estas recusas com o surgimento de casos de leishmaniose visceral, no mesmo local e período. Utilizaram-se as localizações onde se encontraram 27 casos humanos de leishmaniose visceral obtidos do SINAN, todos referentes a quatro áreas de abrangência da região noroeste de Belo Horizonte, no período de 2006 a 2008. De um total de 33.579 residências visitadas pelo controle químico vetorial, 9636 (28,70%) aceitaram a borrifação interna e a externa do domicílio, 20741 (61,77%) concordaram com a borrifação apenas do peridomicílio, 141 (0,42%) aceitaram apenas a borrifação do intradomicílio, 909 (2,70%) se encontraram fechadas no momento da borrifação e 2152 (6,41%) recusaram qualquer tipo de borrifação no imóvel. Na maioria das residências, o controle químico foi permitido apenas no peridomicílio. A diferença entre o perfil de recusas dos quarteirões contidos em uma área de 200 metros ao redor de um caso humano de leishmaniose visceral e o mesmo perfil dos quarteirões fora desta área foi significativa (P<0,05) em sete (25,92%) dos 27 casos da doença.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the population's refusal to allow their houses to be sprayed in four regions of Belo Horizonte, in the period from 2006 to 2008, and relate these denials with the emergence of cases of visceral leishmaniasis in the same location and time. We used the location of 27 human cases of visceral leishmaniasis obtained from SINAN, all data from four regions in the West Region of the city of Belo Horizonte, from 2006 to 2008. Of a total of 33,579 houses visited by the chemical vector control, 9636 (28.70%) accepted spraying inside and outside the home, 20741 (61.77%) agreed with spraying only the areas surrounding the property, 141 (0.42%) agreed only to spray indoors, 909 (2.70%) were found closed at the time of spraying, and 2152 (6.41%) refused any kind of spray at house. A chemical control vector was allowed only in surrounding areas of most of the houses studied. The difference between the profile of denials of the blocks contained in an area of 200 meters around a human case of VL, with the same profile of the blocks out of this area was significant (P<0,05) in 07 (25,92%) of 27 cases of the disease.

Panic-like defensive behavior but not fear-induced antinociception is differently organized by dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamic nuclei of Rattus norvegicus (Rodentia, Muridae)

The hypothalamus is a forebrain structure critically involved in the organization of defensive responses to aversive stimuli. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic dysfunction in dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamic nuclei is implicated in the origin of panic-like defensive behavior, as well as in pain modulation. The present study was conducted to test the difference between these two hypothalamic nuclei regarding defensive and antinociceptive mechanisms. Thus, the GABA A antagonist bicuculline (40 ng/0.2 µL) or saline (0.9% NaCl) was microinjected into the dorsomedial or posterior hypothalamus in independent groups. Innate fear-induced responses characterized by defensive attention, defensive immobility and elaborate escape behavior were evoked by hypothalamic blockade of GABA A receptors. Fear-induced defensive behavior organized by the posterior hypothalamus was more intense than that organized by dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei. Escape behavior elicited by GABA A receptor blockade in both the dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamus was followed by an increase in nociceptive threshold. Interestingly, there was no difference in the intensity or in the duration of fear-induced antinociception shown by each hypothalamic division presently investigated. The present study showed that GABAergic dysfunction in nuclei of both the dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamus elicit panic attack-like defensive responses followed by fear-induced antinociception, although the innate fear-induced behavior originates differently in the posterior hypothalamus in comparison to the activity of medial hypothalamic subdivisions.

Actividad de las enzimas antioxidantesen el riñon de la rata con preeclampsia experimental / Rat kidney antioxidant enzyme activities in experimental preeclampsia

La preeclampsia (PE) es un trastorno multisistémico del embarazo caracterizado por hipertensión, proteinuria y edema. La PE se asocia con la disfunción endotelial, el estrés oxidativo y con la disminución de la actividad de la sintasa del óxido nítrico (SON) endotelial. Los mecanismos de la vasodilatación asociada al embarazo normal sugieren que el óxido nítrico (NO) es el más importante mediador en la reducción de la resistencia vascular, mientras que en la PE la respuesta dilatadora dependiente de endotelio y mediada por el NO se encuentra reducida. Se ha demostrado que la inhibición de la síntesis del NO mediante la administración crónica de LNAME en ratas preñadas, resulta en un modelo animal que ocasiona un síndrome similar a la PE, el cual cursa con hipertensión, proteinuria, trombocitopenia y retardo de crecimiento intrauterino. Con el fin de caracterizar las alteraciones renales que ocurren durante la PE, empleamos este modelo animal de preeclampsia inducido por la inhibición de la SON, en ratas de 13 días de gestación. Se cuantifico la posible alteración en la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes como la catalasa (CAT), superoxido dismutasa (SOD) y glutatión peroxidasa (GPx), así como la SON renal. El tratamiento crónicocon L-NAME en ratas preñadas incrementó la PAM (+20mmHg), produjo proteinuria, sin embargo no altero significativamente el número y el peso de los fetos. El estudio histológico de los riñones de animales pre-eclámpticos mostró que los mismos presentan tumefacción turbia de epitelios tubulares, focos hemorrágicos y congestión de capilares glomerulares. El tratamiento crónico con L-NAME en las ratas preñadas redujo la actividad de las tres enzimas antioxidantes evaluadasy de la SON renal. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la PE experimental cursa con alteración renal asociada con la reducciónde la actividad antioxidante y la inhibición de la SON.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy characterized by hypertension, proteinuria and edema. PE is associated with endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity. The mechanisms of normal pregnancy-associated vasodilation suggest that nitric oxide (NO) is the most important mediator for the reduction of vascular resistance. Many studies demonstrat ereduction of endothelium-dependent dilator response mediated by NO in PE. Inhibition of NO synthesis is an animal model which results in a PE-like syndrome, hypertension, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia and intrauterine growth retardation. In order to assess the possible renal alteration in this animal model of preeclampsia induced by chronic administration of L-NAME, we determined the antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase and gluthation peroxidase) and nitric oxide sinthase in the rat kidney. Chronic L-NAME treatment in pregnant rats increased MAP (+20mm Hg), produced proteinuria and did not change the number and weight of fetuses. Histological examination of the kidneys showed cloudy swelling PE tubular epithelia, hemorrhagic fociand congestion of glomerular capillaries. In addition, L-NAME treatment reduced CAT, SOD, GPx and NOS activity in the kidney. These findings suggest that in experimental preeclampsia, renal alterations are associated with a reduction in the antioxidant enzyme and NOS activities.

Microemulsão: um promissor carreador para moléculas insolúveis / Microemulsion: a promising carrier system for insoluble compounds

Microemulsão (ME) é um sistema que foi descoberto por Hoar e Schulman no ano de 1943 e que é termodinamicamente estável e isotropicamente translúcido de dois líquidos imiscíveis (óleo/água), estabilizados por um filme interfacial de tensoativos. O estudo de sistemas microemulsionados se baseia nas suas três teorias de formação: (1) teoria da solubilização, (2) teoria da tensão interfacial e (3) teoria termodinâmica. A estrutura formada é influenciada pelas propriedades físico-químicas dos componentes utilizados e da razão entre os componentes. O objetivo desta revisão foi avaliar o estado da arte de sistemas microemulsionados enfatizando uma abordagem teórica. Além disso, os recentes avanços sobre a aplicabilidade clínca e utilização como carreador de moléculas insolúveis foram discutidas.

Microemulsions (ME) are thermodynamically stable and isotropic systems of two immiscible liquids (oil/water), stabilized by an interfacial film of surfactants, discovered by Hoar and Schulman in 1943. The study of ME formation is based on three areas of theory: (1) solubilization, (2) interfacial tension and (3) thermodynamics. ME structures are influenced by the physicochemical properties and proportions of their ingredients. The goal of this review is to assess the state of the art of microemulsified systems, from a theoretical viewpoint. Also, recent progress on their clinical application and use as carriers for insoluble compounds is discussed.