Vitamins A and D and Zinc Affect the Leshmanicidal Activity of Canine Spleen Leukocytes.

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a chronic disease caused by Leishmania infantum, and the limitations of the current treatments have encouraged new alternatives, such as the use of immunomodulatory nutrients. The objective of this study was to determine the serum levels of vitamin A (retinol), vitamin D (25(OH)VD3), and zinc (Zn) in dogs with CanL and the effect of in vitro supplementation with the respective active forms ATRA, 1,25(OH)2VD3, and SZn on spleen leukocyte cultures. Serum retinol, 25(OH)VD3, and Zn were determined by HPLC, ELISA, and ICP-MS, respectively. Spleen leukocyte cultures were used for the detection of NO and ROS by flow cytometry; the IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels were determined by ELISA; and the parasite load was determined by microscopy. We detected low serum levels of retinol and Zn and high levels of 25(OH)VD3 in the CanL group. The in vitro supplementation of CanL spleen leukocytes with ATRA, 1,25(OH)2VD3, and SZn, in addition to a soluble leishmania antigen (SLA) treatment, increased the NO and ROS levels, while the treatments with only ATRA and SZn increased the TNF-a levels. Increased IL-10 and IFN-g levels were observed with the addition of SLA to the medium, although the addition of the three nutrients led to a reduction of the IL-10 levels, and the addition of 1,25(OH)2VD3 and SZn led to a reduction of IFN-g. A supplementation with 1,25(OH)2VD3 and SZn reduced the parasite load but only in the absence of SLA. We suggest that the nutrients we tested are involved in the leishmanicidal mechanism, showing a potential for investigation in future studies.

Reproductive dysfunction after mercury exposure at low levels: evidence for a role of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 1 and GPx4 in male rats.

Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and mercury contamination and toxicity are serious hazards to human health. Some studies have shown that mercury impairs male reproductive function, but less is known about its effects following exposure at low doses and the possible mechanisms underlying its toxicity. Herein we show that exposure of rats to mercury chloride for 30 days (first dose 4.6µgkg-1, subsequent doses 0.07µgkg-1day-1) resulted in mean (±s.e.m.) blood mercury concentrations of 6.8±0.3ngmL-1, similar to that found in human blood after occupational exposure or released from removal of amalgam fillings. Even at these low concentrations, mercury was deposited in reproductive organs (testis, epididymis and prostate), impaired sperm membrane integrity, reduced the number of mature spermatozoa and, in the testes, promoted disorganisation, empty spaces and loss of germinal epithelium. Mercury increased levels of reactive oxygen species and the expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 1 and GPx4. These results suggest that the toxic effects of mercury on the male reproductive system are due to its accumulation in reproductive organs and that the glutathione system is its potential target. The data also suggest, for the first time, a possible role of the selenoproteins GPx1 and GPx4 in the reproductive toxicity of mercury chloride.

Tratamento de mucocele com emprego da técnica de Shira: relato de caso / Mucocele treatment with work Shira's technique: case report

A mucocele é uma patologia das glândulas salivares menores que acomete frequentemente a cavidade oral. Clinicamente, apresenta-se como um aumento de volume circunscrito, submucoso, assintomático e de cor rósea ou azulada. A escolha do tratamento da mucocele dependerá de alguns fatores importantes da lesão, tais como tamanho, localização e profundidade. A excisão cirúrgica convencional é a técnica mais utilizada para tratamento de mucoceles e a recidiva é uma das principais complicações desta abordagem. A técnica de Shira, que consiste na injeção cuidadosa de material hidrocolóide dentro da lesão com o objetivo de delimitá-la e removê-la por completo, diminui as chances de recorrência desta patologia. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar um caso clínico de mucocele de grande volume em lábio inferior que foi tratada cirurgicamente com a técnica de Shira, discutir algumas formas de tratamento para mucoceles em região labial, dando ênfase às vantagens da técnica de Shira.

The mucocele is a pathology of the salivary glands that often affects the oral cavity. Clinically, it presents as an increase in volume circumscribed, submucosal, asymptomatic and in pink or blue. The choice of treatment will depend mucocele of some importante factors of injury, such as size, location and depth. The conventional surgical excision is the most used technique for the treatment of mucoceles and recurrence is a major complication of this approach. A technique that consists of injecting Shira careful hydrocolloid material within the lesion in order to enclose it and remove it completely diminishes the chances of recurrence of this disease. The objective of this study is to report a case of mucocele large volume bottom lip which was treated surgically using the technique of Shira and discuss some forms of treatment for mucoceles in lip region, emphasizing the advantages of the technique Shira.