Violacein antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of violacein (VIO) on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm. The minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) were determined, as well as the effect of VIO exposure time on microbial viability in mature biofilm. Violacein showed good antibiofilm action, inhibiting biofilm formation and eradicating mature biofilm of S. epidermidis at concentrations of 20 µg.mL-1 and 160 µg.mL-1, respectively. At concentrations equal to MBEC and 2x MBEC, the biofilm was eradicated in 3 h and 2h30min of incubation, respectively.When evaluating VIO modulating effect on the action of clinically-used drugs (vancomycin, cefepime, ciprofloxacin and meropenem), especial synergism was observed in the violacein-ciprofloxacin association, it can completely erradicated the mature biofilm at the concentration of 1/2xMBEC and 1/4xMBEC, respectively. VIO shows good antimicrobial action on S. epidermidis biofilm and has the potential to synergistically modulate the activity of clinically-used antimicrobials.

Antichagasic effect of violacein from Chromobacterium violaceum.

AIMS: Violacein (VIO), a bacterial pigment produced by Chromobacterium violaceum, was examined to evaluate the antichagasic activity and its action mechanism against Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Violacein was tested against the epimastigote, trypomastigote and amastigote forms of T. cruzi Y strain (benznidazole-resistant strain). VIO inhibited all T. cruzi developmental forms, including amastigotes, which is implicated in the burden of infection in the chronic phase of Chagas disease (CD). VIO induced cell death in T. cruzi through apoptosis, as determined by flow cytometry analyses with specific molecular probes and morphological alterations, such as involvement of reactive oxygen species and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and cell shrinkage. CONCLUSION: The results suggest antichagasic activity of VIO against T. cruzi Y strain with apoptotic involvement. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The treatment of CD has limited efficacy and side effects that restrict patient tolerability and compliance. The VIO molecule could be used as a model for therapeutic alternatives for this disease.

Violacein antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus epidermidis and synergistic effect on commercially available antibiotics.

AIMS: The study aimed to assess whether violacein has antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus epidermidis and synergistically modulates the action of commercially available antimicrobial drugs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Violacein showed excellent antimicrobial activity on biofilm-forming and nonbiofilm-forming S. epidermidis strains (ATCC 35984) (ATCC 12228), with bacteriostatic (MIC = 20 µg ml-1 and 10 µg ml-1 respectively) and bactericidal effects (MBC = 20 µg ml-1 for both strains), observed in short periods of exposure. The violacein bactericidal concentration led to S. epidermidis death after 2-3 h of exposure. Additionally, violacein synergistically modulated the activity of different antimicrobial classes on S. epidermidis ATCC 12228 (81·8%; n = 9) and on S. epidermidis ATCC 35984 (54·5%; n = 6), reducing the MIC of these antibiotics by up to 16-fold. CONCLUSION: Violacein shows excellent antimicrobial activity on S. epidermidis strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Violacein shows the potential for the development of a new drug for the treatment of infections caused by S. epidermidis.

Atividade antifúngica e possível mecanismo de ação do óleo essencial de folhas de Ocimum gratissimum (Linn. ) sobre espécies de Candida / Antifungal activity and potential action mechanisms of essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum (Linn. ) leaves against Candida species

RESUMO A espécie Ocimum gratissimum (Linn.), popularmente conhecida como alfavaca-cravo, é muito utilizada na medicina popular. A planta apresenta inúmeros compostos, sendo o eugenol o constituinte majoritário do seu óleo essencial e o provável responsável pela sua atividade antimicrobiana. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o potencial antifúngico e o possível mecanismo de ação do óleo essencial extraído das folhas de O. gratissimum L. (OEOg) sobre cepas-padrão de Candida. Para avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana foi determinada a Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM), o efeito do tempo de exposição, o efeito modulador na atividade de antifúngicos (ATF) de uso clínico e a ação do OEOg nas fases de crescimento exponencial e estacionário de leveduras do gênero Candida. O mecanismo de ação do OEOg foi verificado por captação do cristal violeta e avaliação da morfologia microbiana pela técnica de microcultivo. Também foi avaliada a toxicidade do OEOg sobre hemácias humanas. O OEOg apresentou boa atividade antifúngica sobre cepas de Candida, sendo capaz de reduzir a taxa de crescimento das cepas de Candida a partir de quatro horas de exposição, além de ter modulado positivamente a atividade do cetoconazol para C. tropicalis ATCC 13803 e reduzir o número de células viáveis em todas as fases de crescimento microbiano. O OEOg foi capaz de promover o aumento discreto da captação do cristal violeta e provocou alterações na micromorfologia das células de Candida spp., sugerindo que seu alvo de ação seja o envoltório celular. Observou-se baixa toxicidade do OEOg sobre hemácias humanas. Os resultados encontrados mostraram que o OEOg possui boa atividade sobre o gênero Candida, com mecanismo de ação mediado possivelmente pela ocorrência de danos no envoltório celular, além de ter sido observada baixa toxicidade, indicando do OEOg é promissor no desenvolvimento e elaboração de um novo fármaco com potencial atividade para o tratamento de doenças fúngicas.

ABSTRACT Ocimum gratissimum (Linn.) is a medicinal plant popularly known as “wild basil” widely used in traditional medicine. The plant has numerous compounds, and eugenol is the major constituent of its essential oil and likely responsible for its antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study was to determine the antifungal activity and the potential mechanism of action of the essential oil extracted from the leaves of O. gratissimum L. (OEOg) against standard strains of Candida. The following experiments were performed: determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), determination of the effect of exposure time to OEOg; evaluation of the modulating effect of OEOg in antifungal (ATF) activity for clinical use; determination of the effects of the OEOg on different growth phases of Candida spp; determination of crystal violet (CV) uptake and the microculture of yeast technique. OEOg showed good antifungal activity against Candida, being able to reduce microbial growth during 24 hours of contact and also the number of viable cells at all stages of growth. OE positively modulates the activity of ketoconazole for C. tropicalis ATCC 13803. Increased uptake of CV and also the inhibition of Candidavirulence factors were also observed, which indicates the occurrence of damage in the cell envelope. These findings, coupled with the low toxicity of OEOg on human erythrocytes, indicate that “wild basil” is a promising plant for the development of a new drug with a potential activity to treat fungal diseases.

Antimicrobial effect of Dinoponera quadriceps (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) venom against Staphylococcus aureus strains.

AIMS: Dinoponera quadriceps venom (DqV) was examined to evaluate the antibacterial activity and its bactericidal action mechanism against Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS AND RESULTS: DqV was tested against a standard strain of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Staph. aureus ATCC 6538P and two standard strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staph. aureus ATCC 33591 and Staph. aureus CCBH 5330. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the rate of kill and pH sensitivity of the DqV were determined by microdilution tests. Bactericidal and inhibitory concentrations of DqV were tested to check its action on Staph. aureus membrane permeability and cell morphology. The MIC and MBC of DqV were 6·25 and 12·5 µg ml(-1) for Staph. aureus ATCC 6538P, 12·5 and 50 µg ml(-1) for Staph. aureus CCBH 5330 and 100 and 100 µg ml(-1) for Staph. aureus ATCC 33591, respectively. Complete bacterial growth inhibition was observed after 4 h of incubation with the MBC of DqV. A lowest MIC was observed in alkaline pH. Alteration in membrane permeability was observed through the increase in crystal violet uptake, genetic material release and morphology in atomic force microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest antibacterial activity of DqV against Staph. aureus and that the venom acts in the cell membrane. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Alteration in membrane permeability may be associated with the antimicrobial activity of hymenopteran venoms.

Trypanosomatid essential metabolic pathway: new approaches about heme fate in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, has a complex life cycle and depends on hosts for its nutritional needs. Our group has investigated heme (Fe-protoporphyrin IX) internalization and the effects on parasite growth, following the fate of this porphyrin in the parasite. Here, we show that epimastigotes cultivated with heme yielded the compounds α-meso-hydroxyheme, verdoheme and biliverdin (as determined by HPLC), suggesting an active heme degradation pathway in this parasite. Furthermore, through immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting assays of epimastigote extracts, we observed recognition by an antibody against mammalian HO-1. We also detected the localization of the HO-1-like protein in the parasite using immunocytochemistry, with antibody staining primarily in the cytoplasm. Although HO has not been described in the parasite's genome, our results offer new insights into heme metabolism in T. cruzi, revealing potential future therapeutic targets.

Serotypes of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in relation to periodontal status and geographic origin of individuals-a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have focused on the relationship among serotype distribution, ethnical status and geographic populations, and periodontal conditions. Studies that have investigated the prevalence and the distribution of A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes and the relation between the different serotypes of the bacterium and periodontal status were reviewed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic literature search for publications regarding the distribution of A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes in subgingival samples of periodontitis patients and periodontally healthy subjects by employing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted. RESULTS: From the 85 studies identified in the first analysis, only 12 met all inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical isolates from diverse geographic populations with different periodontal conditions were evaluated. Serotypes a, b and c were largely found, and serotype c was the most prevalent. They were isolated from various periodontal conditions, including aggressive periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: The available literature suggests that serotypes a, b, and c are globally dominant, serotypes d and e are rare, and the prevalence of the most recently identified serotype f is still unknown. It is widely accepted that distribution patterns of A. actinomycetemcomitans vary among subjects of different ethnicity and geographic regions. The correlation of different serotypes with various periodontal conditions remains unclear.

Melatonin affects conjugation of 4-hydroxynonenal with glutathione in liver of pacu, a hypoxia-tolerant fish.

In cytosol from liver of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, a hypoxia-tolerant fish that dwells in Pantanal, we found an enzyme activity capable of modulating the alkenal 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) by conjugating it with glutathione (GST-HNE activity). HNE is a downstream metabolite from the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by reactive oxygen species arisen from mitochondria of animal cells. HNE production may increase more intensively under oxidative stress. Harmful effects to cell survival may occur when HNE increases over 10(-4) M. Pacus submitted to hypoxia in July (cold season in Pantanal) showed 40% less of this GST-HNE conjugating activity in their liver cytosol. Injecting pacus subjected to hypoxia during the cold season with a summer physiological dose of melatonin caused their liver cytosolic GST-HNE activity to increase up to the levels found in the warm season. From October to March (warm season in Pantanal), pacus are prone to oxidative stress particularly during potamodromous active oxygen-demanding swimming, when they migrate up rivers to spawn. Thus, our findings point out that the higher levels of melatonin in circulation during the summer are important to avoid the increase of 4-HNE inside liver cells of this fish species.

Characterization of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) contact lens using the Langmuir monolayer technique.

The behavior of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) polymer monolayer spread on water was studied under various experimental conditions. The influence of subphase pH and temperature, compression speed, elapsed time from the deposit of the monolayer and the recording of the surface pressure-area (π-A) isotherms, as well as the number of polymer molecules deposited at the air/water surface (surface concentration) was studied. The obtained results show that PHEMA exhibits a very stable monolayer given that it is unaffected by modifications in the majority of these variables. Only the elapsed time between the spreading of the monolayer and the beginning of compression causes a small change in the π-A isotherms that consists in an increase in the area occupied by the film. This is attributed to the greater unfolding with time of the polymer's monomers at the air/water interface. The plateau that appears on π-A curves of the PHEMA monolayer is attributed to the reorientation of their hydroxyethyl polar groups through their C-O-C bonds, as well as to the reorientation of the ethylene (CH(2)) groups that link the monomers, which provokes a folding of the polymer's chains causing an accordion configuration. The existence of this structure is confirmed by the presence of numerous noise peaks in the relative thickness versus time curve corresponding to this region. In the same fashion, the images observed from Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) reveal the existence of light-dark "bands" relative to the different regions of this particular structure.

Association of polymorphism +874 A/T of interferon-γ and susceptibility to the development of tuberculosis: meta-analysis.

The immune defence against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is complex and involves multiple interacting cells. Studies in subjects with polymorphisms in genes for IFN or its receptor gene evaluate their relationship with mycobacterium infections. The purpose of this study was to analyze the evidence of the effect of polymorphism +874 A/T from interferon-γ on the occurrence of tuberculosis. We performed a meta-analysis of studies published between June 2002 and April 2012. The articles analyzed assessed the relationship between the polymorphism +874 A/T and the development of tuberculosis. The meta-analysis was performed with a random effect model, considering the heterogeneity among studies. Genotype TT showed a protective effect (OR, 0.77; 95% CI = 0.67-0.88) while genotype AA may be associated with increased susceptibility to developing tuberculosis (OR, 1.51; 95% CI = 1.38-1.65). In relation to alleles, we can verify that the A allele is related to the development of tuberculosis (OR, 1.56; 95% CI = 1.42-1.71). This information reinforces the importance of host genetics in the development of infectious diseases. Studies in this area can result in the promotion of new and more accurate genetic markers.

Pothomorphe umbellata: antifungal activity against strains of Trichophyton rubrum.

Trichophyton rubrum is a dermatophyte, which can cause infections in human skin, hair and nail. Pothomorphe umbellata (L.) Miq. (Piperaceae) is a native Brazilian plant, in which phytochemical studies have demonstrated the presence of steroids, 4-nerolidylcatechol, sesquiterpenes and essential oils. The objective of this study was to analyze the in vitro activity of extracts and fractions of P. umbellata on resistant strains of T. rubrum. The microdilution plate method was utilized to test Tr1, H6 and ΔTruMDR2 strains of T. rubrum; ΔTruMDR2 strain was obtained from H6 by TruMDR2 gene rupture, which is involved in multiple drugs resistance. The highest antifungal activity to all strains was observed for dichloromethane and hexane fractions of the 70% ethanolic extract which showed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicide concentration (MFC) of 78.13 µg/mL. This antifungal activity was also obtained by 70% ethanolic extract, which presented MIC and MFC of 78.13 µg/mL to ΔTruMDR2, whereas the MIC values for Tr1 and H6 were 78.13 and 156.25 µg/mL, respectively. Our results suggest the potential for future development of new antifungal drugs from P. umbellata, especially to strains presenting multiple resistance.

Nutritional status of zinc and activity superoxide dismutase in chronicrenal patients undergoing hemodialysis / Estado nutricional del zinc y actividad de la enzima superóxido dismutasa en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease promotes changes in the zinc nutritional status and in the antioxidant defense system. This study assessed the relationship between the parameters of the zinc nutritional status and the activity of superoxide dismutase in patients with chronic renal failure who are receiving hemodialysis. Methods: 134 individuals, aged between 18 and 85years, were divided into two groups: case group (hemodialyzed patients, n = 63) and control group (n = 71). Zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were determined using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme was determined according to Ransod kit. Results: The mean values of plasma zinc were 62.02 ±13.59 μg/dL and 65.58 ± 8.88 μg/dL, and for erythrocytary zinc the values were 54.52 ± 22.82 μgZn/gHb and48.01 ± 15.08 μgZn/gHb for the chronic renal patients andt he control group, respectively. The activity of superoxidedismutase was significantly lower in patients when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The activity of superoxide dismutase in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis, which is influenced by zinc concentracions, was significantly lower. There was an inadequate response o this enzyme to oxidative stress in patients undergoing hemodialysis (AU)

Introducción: La enfermedad renal crónica produce cambios en el estado nutricional del zinc y en el sistema de defensa antioxidante. Por lo tanto, este estudio investigó la relación entre parámetros del estado nutricional del zinc y la actividad de la enzima superóxido dismutase en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis. Métodos: Se incluyeron 134 personas, de 20 a 59 años de edad que fueron divididos en dos grupos: grupo caso(pacientes en hemodiálisis, n = 63) y grupo control (n =71). El zinc plasmático y eritrocitario fueron analizados según el método de espectrofotometría de absorción ató-mica. La actividad de la enzima superóxido dismutasa fue analizada de acuerdo con Kit Ransod. Resultados: Los valores medios de zinc plasmático fueron 62,02 ± 13,59 μg/dL y 65,58 ± 8,88 μg/dL y los valores de zinc eritrocitário fueron 54,52 ± 22,82 μgZn/gHb y48,01 ± 15,08 μgZn/gHb, en los pacientes en hemodiálisisy en el grupo control, respectivamente. La actividad de la superóxido dismutasa fue significantemente inferior en los pacientes que en controles (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: La actividad de la superóxido dismutasa en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis, que es influenciada por la concentración del zinc, fue significantemente inferior. Hubo una respuesta inadecuada por la enzima al estrés oxidativo en pacientes en hemodiálisis (AU)

In vitro and in vivo toxicological evaluation of extract and fractions from Baccharis trimera with anti-inflammatory activity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Baccharis trimera (Less) DC. (Asteraceae), popularly known in Brazil as "carqueja", have been used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal diseases, and inflammatory processes as rheumatism. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo toxicological effects of anti-inflammatory Baccharis trimera aqueous extract and fractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous extract of Baccharis trimera (AEBt) was produced by infusion in boiling water. After lyophylization AEBt was extracted with 80% ethanol, originating the ethanolic supernatant fraction (EFBt) and the aqueous sediment fraction (AFBt). Anti-inflammatory properties of AEBt, EFBt or AFBt (3, 30 or 300 µg/kg b.w.) were evaluated by the carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema using indomethacin (10mg/kg) as positive control. The growth of rat hepatoma cells (HTC) and human embryo kidney epithelial cells (HEK) was determined by protein staining assay. Cytotoxicity was assayed by the tetrazolium salt (MTT) reduction. Cyclosporin was used as reference cytotoxic drug for spleen cells and doxorubicin for HTC and HEK cells. For in vivo toxicological evaluation SW male mice were daily and oral (gavage) treated with extract/fractions at 4.2mg/kg or 42 mg/kg during 15 days. After treatment liver or kidney cells were submitted to comet assay to determine the DNA damage index, and the glutathione S-transferase activity was assayed towards ETHA (class Pi) and CDNB (several classes). Mutagenicity was evaluated by the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA102. RESULTS: The anti-inflammatory effects of EFBt were higher than those of AEBt or AFBt. Mice treatment (3-300 µg/kg) with AFBt reduced the paw edema (3h) at lower levels (29.2-37.3%; P<0.01), than those observed for AEBt (44.7-54.2%; P<0.001), EFBt (49.3-58.2%; P<0.001) or indomethacin (64.6%, P<0.001, 10mg/kg). The growth of kidney cells (HEK) was inhibited by AEBt (IC(50) 182.6 µg/ml), EFBt (IC(50) 78.1 µg/ml) and AFBt (IC(50) 86.2 µg/ml), with lower effects on HTC hepatic cell (IC(50) 308.8 µg/ml, 396.5 µg/ml and 167.9 µg/ml, respectively). As evaluated by MTT test, AFBt exhibited cytotoxicity for HEK cells (IC(50) 372.5 µg/ml), but none for HTC ones; by the way, AFBt stimulated spleen cells (EC(50) 2.2 µg/ml) while cyclosporine, a cytotoxic reference drug inhibited them with IC(50) of 0.42 µg/ml; the IC(50) for doxorubicin for HEK and HTC cells was 0.28 µg/ml and 14.4 µg/ml, respectively, at 96h. No mutagenic potential was observed. Mice treatment with AEBt or AFBt at 42 mg/kg for 15 days altered the kidney relative weight, but not at 4.2mg/kg. Baccharis trimera did not change liver, spleen or popliteal lymph node relative weight. DNA damage index of kidney cells was observed on mice treated with AEBt/AFBt, but not on animals treated with EFBt, while DNA lesions were detected on liver cells only after AFBt treatment. The general activities of hepatic GST and Pi GST were reduced by EFBt and AFBt treatment, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Baccharis trimera did not show mutagenicity, inhibited the GST activity, a hepatic detoxification enzyme, and induced in vivo (genotoxicity) and in vitro toxicological effects to kidney cells.

Analysis of plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels in premenopausal women with breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Zinc deficiency has been associated with damage and oxidative changes in DNA that may increase an individual's risk of cancer. Furthermore, zinc metabolism may be affected in cancer patients, leading to alterations in its distribution that would favor carcinogenesis. Plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels in women with breast cancer were evaluated in this cross-sectional, controlled study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-five premenopausal women of 25 to 49 years of age with and without breast cancer were divided into two groups: Group A, composed of women without breast cancer (controls, n = 26) and Group B, composed of women with breast cancer (cases, n = 29). Plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry at γ = 213.9 nm. Diet was assessed using the 3-day diet recall method and analyzed using the NutWin software program, version 1.5. Student's t-test was used to compare means and significance was established at p = 0.05. RESULTS: Mean plasma zinc levels were 69.69 ± 9.00 g/dL in the breast cancer patients and 65.93 ± 12.44 g/dL in the controls (p = 0.201). Mean erythrocyte zinc level was 41.86 ± 8.28 µgZn/gHb in the cases and 47.93 ± 7.00 µgZn/gHb in the controls (p < 0.05). In both groups, dietary zinc levels were above the estimated average requirement. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that zinc levels are lower in the erythrocyte compartment of pre-menopausal women with breast cancer.

Analysis of plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels in premenopausal women with breast cancer / Análisis de los niveles de zinc en plasma y eritrocitos en mujeres premenopáusicas con cáncer de mama

Introduction: Zinc deficiency has been associated with damage and oxidative changes in DNA that may increase an individual’s risk of cancer. Furthermore, zinc metabolism may be affected in cancer patients, leading to alterations in its distribution that would favor carcinogenesis. Plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels in women with breast cancer were evaluated in this cross-sectional, controlled study. Material and methods: Fifty-five premenopausal women of 25 to 49 years of age with and without breast cancer were divided into two groups: Group A, composed of women without breast cancer (controls, n = 26) and Group B, composed of women with breast cancer (cases, n = 29). Plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry at γ= 213.9 nm. Diet was assessed using the 3-day diet recall method and analyzed using the Nut Win software program, version 1.5. Student’s t-test was used to compare means and significance was established at p < 0.05.Results: Mean plasma zinc levels were 69.69 ± 9.00g/dL in the breast cancer patients and 65.93 ± 12.44 g/dLin the controls (p = 0.201). Mean erythrocyte zinc level was 41.86 ± 8.28 μgZn/gHb in the cases and 47.93 ± 7.00μgZn/gHb in the controls (p < 0.05). In both groups, dietary zinc levels were above the estimated average requirement. Conclusions: The present results suggest that zinc levels are lower in the erythrocyte compartment of premenopausal women with breast cancer (AU)

Introducción: La deficiencia de zinc se relacionada con daños y modificaciones oxidativas del DNA, lo que puede favorecer el riesgo de cáncer. Sin embargo, en pacientes con cáncer, puede haber alteraciones en el metabolismo del zinc con alteración en su distribución, favoreciendo la cancinogénesis. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las concentraciones plasmáticas y eritrocitarias de zinc en mujeres con cáncer de mama. Material y métodos: estudio de naturaleza transversal, del tipo caso y control llevado a cabo en 55 mujeres premenopáusicas con y sin cáncer de mama con un rango de edades situado entre 25 y 49 años. Las pacientes fueron distribuidas en dos grupos: Grupo A, sin cáncer de mama (control, n = 26) y Grupo B, con cáncer de mama (caso, n= 29). El análisis de las concentraciones de zinc plasmático y eritrocitario fue realizado según el método de espectofotometría de absorción atómica de llama γ = 213,9 nm. La evaluación de la dieta fue determinada utilizando el registro alimentario de tres días y el análisis por el software NutWin versión 1.5. Para el análisis de las medias fue utilizado el test de estudios t de Student (p < 0,05) Resultados: la media de las concentraciones plasmáticas de zinc fue 69,69 ± 9,0 μg/dL y 65,93 ± 12,44 μg/dL enl as pacientes casos (cáncer) y controles, respectivamente (p = 0,201). La media de zinc eritrocitaria fue 41,86 ± 8,28μgZn/gHb en las pacientes casos y 47,93 ± 7,00 μgZn/gHbe n los controles (p < 0,05). Ambos grupos tenían concentración de zinc, en la dieta, superior a la recomendada. Conclusiones: Los resultados del presente estudio indican que mujeres menopáusicas con cáncer de mama presentan menor concentración de zinc en el compartimiento eritrocitario, lo que puede constituirlo en un nuevo biomarcador pronóstico y posible diana terapéutica del cáncer de mama (AU)