Evaluation of anti-allergic activity of gossypin and suramin in mast cell-mediated allergy model.

The mast cell-mediated allergic reactions are involved in many allergic diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. Stimulation of mast cells initiates the process of degranulation, resulting in the release of mediators such as histamine and an array of inflammatory cytokines. In this report, we investigated the effect of gossypin (a biflavonoid) and suramin (a synthetic polysulphonated naphtylurea) on the mast cell-mediated allergy model, and studied the possible mechanism of their action. Both gossypin and suramin inhibited (P<0.001) compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis reactions, antiprurities (P<0.001) and reduced the histamine release in rats. Further, both showed significant (P<0.001) protection against rat peritoneal mast cells activated by compound 48/80. Thus, our findings provide evidence that gossypin and suramin inhibit mast cell-derived allergic reactions.

A rare case of human trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma evansi.

Human trypanosoma infections like the ones seen in Africa and South America are unknown in India. The only exception in literature is of two documented cases of a self-limiting febrile illness, being attributed to Trypanosoma lewisi like parasites. We are reporting an unusual case of trypanosomiasis from the rural parts of Chandrapur district in Maharashtra. An adult male farmhand who used to practice veterinary medicine also, presented with history of febrile episodes on and off since five months and drowsiness before admission to this Institute. Though routine blood and other investigations were within normal limits, the peripheral smear showed a large number of trypanosomes which morphologically resembled the species Trypanosoma evansi, the aetiological agent of surra - a form of animal trypanosomiasis. A battery of assays covering the spectrum of parasitology, serology, and molecular biology confirmed the infecting parasite to be T. evansi. Failure to demonstrate the central nervous system (CNS) involvement, as evidenced by the absence of parasite in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) advocated the use of suramin - the drug of choice in early stage African trypanosomiasis without any CNS involvement. Suramin achieved cure in our patient. The case is being reported because of its unique nature as the patient was not immunocompromised and showed infestation with a parasite which normally does not affect human beings.

Naftiluréia polisulfonada (Suramin) na inibição da migração, proliferação e formação de tubo vascular em culturas de células endoteliais coroidianas "in vitro" estimuladas por fatores de crescimento e em membrana coroidiana sub-retiniana experimental / Plysuldonated naphthylurea (Suramin) inhibeted migration, proliferation and the tube formation on coroidal endothelial cell culture

Avaliar o efeito do suramin na migração, proliferação e formação de tubo vascular em células endoteliais coroidianas (CECs) “in vitro” e em neovascularização coroidiana (NC) “in vivo”. Foi avaliada a migração através do experimento de Boyden Chamber. Foi avaliada a proliferação através do experimento MTT. Foi avaliada a formação de tubo vascular através do experimento gel colágeno 3D. As CECs foram estimuladas por fatores de crescimento (FC) e tratadas com suramin.O efeito sistêmico do suramin foi avaliado em NC induzidos por laser em olhos de ratos. O suramin inibiu a migração, proliferação e formação de tubo vascular estimulada por FC de forma dose dependente / This study evaluated the effects of suramin on choroidal endothelial cell (CEC) migration, proliferation and tube formation “in vitro” and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) “in vivo”. Migration was evaluated using Boyden chamber assay. Proliferation was evaluated by an MTT assay. Tube formation was evaluated using a 3D-tube formation assay. CECs were stimulated by growth factor (GF) treated with suramin. The effect of systemic administration of Suramin was evaluated on laser induced CNV in rats eyes. Suramin inhibited CEC migration, proliferation, and tube formation induced by GF in a dose dependent manner. CNV in rats was inhibited by systemic administration of Suramin 30mg/Kg. These studies indicate that suramin inhibits Angiogenesis “in vitro” and “in vivo”...

Edema angioneurótico hereditario / Hereditary angioneurotic edema

Se realiza una revisión del tema edema angioneurótico hereditario. Después de una introducción histórica se considera el sistema del complemento, el sistema de las cininas, los inhibidores de las proteasas hemáticas derivadas del plasminógeno y la vinculación entre ambos. Se consideran también los avances últimos en lo que a citogenética molecular se refiere. Se presentan las diferentes formas clínicas de los edemas angioneuróticos hereditarios, así como sus diferencias clínico-laboratoriales. Se hace una valoración de los tratamientos sustitutivos y profilácticos. Se expone el estudio de tres casos clínicos observados en el lapso de 30 años de práctica dermatológica.

Adelantos recientes sobre bioquímica del Trypanosoma cruzi y quimioterapia de la enfermedad de Chagas / Recent advances on biochemical of the Trypanosoma cruzi and chemotherapy of the Chagas' disease

Revisa avances producidos entre 1980 y 1983 -como reultado de la actividad del Subprograma de Enfermedad de Chagas, del Programa Nacional de Enfermedades Endémicas (Argentina)-, sobre bioquímica del Trypanosoma cruzi y quimioterapia de la Enfermedad de Chagas: Composición química del T. cruzi (glicoconjugados, lípidos, ácidos nucleicos); metabolismo de carbohidratos (biosíntesis de glicoconjugados, fermentación aeróbica de la glucosa, alfa-hidroxiácido dehidrogenasa); mecanismos de conservación de energía: transporte de electrones y fosforilación oxidativa; catabolismo de proteínas y aminoácidos (proteaseas, glutamato dehidrogenasa); métodos bioquímicos aplicados a la caracterización de poblaciones del T. cruzi (zimograma electroforético, DNA nuclear y cintoplástico); efectos químicos de drogas tripanocidas: Nifurtimox, Benznidazol y 3-lapachona, gossipol, suramina; y, síntesis de nuevos compuestos tripanocidas