Coinfection with Different Trypanosoma cruzi Strains Interferes with the Host Immune Response to Infection

A century after the discovery of Trypanosoma cruzi in a child living in Lassance, Minas Gerais, Brazil in 1909, many uncertainties remain with respect to factors determining the pathogenesis of Chagas disease (CD). Herein, we simultaneously investigate the contribution of both host and parasite factors during acute phase of infection in BALB/c mice infected with the JG and/or CL Brener T. cruzi strains. JG single infected mice presented reduced parasitemia and heart parasitism, no mortality, levels of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, CCL2, IL-6 and IFN-γ) similar to those found among naïve animals and no clinical manifestations of disease. On the other hand, CL Brener single infected mice presented higher parasitemia and heart parasitism, as well as an increased systemic release of pro-inflammatory mediators and higher mortality probably due to a toxic shock-like systemic inflammatory response. Interestingly, coinfection with JG and CL Brener strains resulted in intermediate parasitemia, heart parasitism and mortality. This was accompanied by an increase in the systemic release of IL-10 with a parallel increase in the number of MAC-3+ and CD4+ T spleen cells expressing IL-10. Therefore, the endogenous production of IL-10 elicited by coinfection seems to be crucial to counterregulate the potentially lethal effects triggered by systemic release of pro-inflammatory mediators induced by CL Brener single infection. In conclusion, our results suggest that the composition of the infecting parasite population plays a role in the host response to T. cruzi in determining the severity of the disease in experimentally infected BALB/c mice. The combination of JG and CL Brener was able to trigger both protective inflammatory immunity and regulatory immune mechanisms that attenuate damage caused by inflammation and disease severity in BALB/c mice

Ehrlich ascites tumor as a tool in the development of compounds with immunomodulatory properties

In previous works, we have demonstrated that the myeloprotective properties of several natural and synthetic compounds are partly responsible for their antitumor activity in the Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) model. In this work, we present information that may be useful to the study of pharmacological and toxicological properties of compounds that affect the hematological compartment. Clonogenic studies in EAT-inoculated mice demonstrated a rapid decrease in bone marrow CFU-GM, whereas a progressive increase in splenic CFU-GM and cellularity was observed, followed by splenomegaly. Bone marrow cellularity declined on the third day after tumor challenge, returning to normal values thereafter. Serum from EAT-bearing mice produced detectable colony-stimulating activity in vitro. Similar results were observed with the conditioned medium from Ehrlich tumor cell cultures, but not with the cell-free Ehrlich tumor ascitic fluid. Tumor inoculation also resulted in a more striking depletion in the number of non-adherent cells in long-term bone marrow cell cultures (LTBMCs) with no bone marrow stroma formation. We speculate that the physiological alterations induced by the EAT growth can be used to assess the ability of compounds to modulate the hematopoietic response.26451152

Vitex agnus castus for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Vitex agnus castus is a safe and effective treatment for PMS and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and to discuss the implications of these findings for clinical practice. A systematic review of literature was conducted using PubMed and Scielo databases. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCT) using V. agnus castus in individuals with PMS or PMDD that compared this intervention with placebo or an active comparator and included a description of blinding and dropouts/withdrawals. The search was conducted by two independent investigators who reached consensus on the included trials. A total of eight RCTs were included in this study. Most studies focused on PMS, and the diagnostic criteria of PMS and PMDD changed over the years. Three different preparations of V. agnus castus (VAC) were tested, and there was significant variability in the measurement of treatment outcomes between the studies. Nevertheless, all eight studies were positive for VAC in the treatment of PMS or PMDD and VAC was overall well tolerated. Main limitations were differences in definition of diagnostic criteria, the instruments used as main outcome measures, and different preparations of VAC extracts limit the comparison of results between studies. In conclusion, the RCTs using VAC for treatment of PMS/PMDD suggested that the VAC extract is a safe and efficacious alternative to be considered for the treatment of PMS/PMDD symptoms.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psychiat, Res Grp Behav & Mol Neurosci Bipolar Disorder, Rua Borges Lagoa,570-10th Floor,Vila Clementino, BR-04038000 Sao Paulo, BrazilMcMaster Univ, Dept Psychiat & Behav Neurosci, Hamilton, ON, CanadaSt Josephs Healthcare, Womens Hlth Concerns Clin, Hamilton, ON, CanadaSt Josephs Healthcare, Mood Disorders Program, Hamilton, ON, CanadaUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psychiat, Res Grp Behav & Mol Neurosci Bipolar Disorder, Rua Borges Lagoa,570-10th Floor,Vila Clementino, BR-04038000 Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Prevalência de síndrome pré-menstrual em atletas Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome in athletes

A síndrome pré-menstrual (SPM) é um conjunto de sintomas emocionais e físicos que afeta negativamente as atividades diárias das mulheres durante o período pré-menstrual. Embora seja um tema bastante estudado na população em geral, existe uma lacuna na literatura a respeito da presença de SPM em atletas. Dessa forma, o objetivo do estudo foi analisar a prevalência de SPM em atletas. Foi desenvolvido um estudo do tipo inquérito, com 57 atletas, com idade entre 18 e 47 anos, de 11 modalidades esportivas. Para identificar a presença de SPM, utilizou-se uma ficha autoaplicável baseada nos critérios do American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG, 2000); a confirmação diagnóstica foi feita através do preenchimento de um diário de sintomas durante dois ciclos menstruais consecutivos (baseado no ACOG, 2000). Para análise dos dados utilizou-se teste de Shapiro-Wilk e teste exato de Fisher, adotando P < 0,05. A prevalência de SPM estimada de forma retrospectiva foi de 68%, enquanto a avaliada pelo acompanhamento com os diários foi de 48%. Mastalgia, explosão de raiva, ansiedade e irritabilidade foram os sintomas mais citados. Foram observadas associações significativas entre SPM e volume de treinamento semanal (P = 0,041), número de sintomas totais (P < 0,0001), número de sintomas físicos (P = 0,004), mastalgia (P = 0,028) e desconforto abdominal (P = 0,015). A prevalência de SPM em atletas foi considerada alta e a análise retrospectiva a superestimou em relação ao acompanhamento diário. A alta prevalência, bem como a associação entre SPM e maior volume de treinamento semanal, instiga que o treinamento esportivo pode ter algum impacto na prevalência de SPM em atletas.<br>The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a set of emotional and physical symptoms that adversely affects the daily activities of women during the pre-menstrual period. Despite being a theme quite discussed in the general population, there is still a gap in the literature concerning the presence of PMS in athletes. Thus, the objective of the study was to analyze the prevalence of PMS in athletes. An inquiry study with 57 athletes age range of 18 and 47 years from 11 sport modalities was developed. A self-applicable sheet based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criteria (ACOG, 2000) was used to identify the presence of PMS ; the diagnostic confirmation was performed through the answer of a symptoms diary during two consecutive menstrual cycles (based on ACOG, 2000). Shapiro Wilks test and Fisher's exact test, adopting a P<0.05 were used for the data analysis. The prevalence of PMS retrospectively estimated was of 68% while the estimated prevalence through the follow-up with the diaries was of 48%. Breast soreness, anger burst, anxiety and irritability were the mostly frequent mentioned symptoms. Significant associations were observed between PMS and weekly training volume (P = 0.041), total amount of symptoms (P < 0,0001), amount of physical symptoms (P = 0,004), breast soreness (P = 0,028) and abdominal discomfort (P = 0,015). The prevalence of PMS in athletes was considered high and the retrospective analysis overestimated the prevalence of PMS in relation to the daily follow-up. The high prevalence as well as the association between PMS and the higher volume of weekly training suggest that the sports training may have some impact in the prevalence of PMS in athletes

Repercussões do transtorno disfórico pré-menstrual entre universitárias Effects of premenstrual dysphoric disorder among college students

INTRODUÇÃO: O transtorno disfórico pré-menstrual (TDPM) é uma variante mais grave da síndrome pré-menstrual que apresenta a oscilação do humor como fator mais perturbador e debilitante, repercutindo na qualidade de vida das mulheres em idade reprodutiva. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as principais repercussões físicas e emocionais causadas pela TDPM entre universitárias de Fisioterapia. MÉTODO: Estudo do tipo corte transversal, descritivo e analítico, realizado no período de agosto a dezembro de 2008 em 259 universitárias. Os instrumentos utilizados para a realização desta pesquisa foram: um questionário contendo questões socioeconômicas, o Questionário de Sintomas Menstruais (Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire, MSQ), a escala de autoavaliação de síndrome de transtorno pré-menstrual de Steiner e o Questionário de Autoavaliação da Escala de Hamilton para Depressão. A análise estatística foi descritiva e analítica, sendo utilizado o teste qui-quadrado ou o teste exato de Fisher, sendo que todas as conclusões foram tomadas ao nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Encontramos alta prevalência de repercussões somáticas e emocionais. Através dos sinais e sintomas pesquisados pelo MSQ entre as portadoras de TDPM, observou-se uma associação do transtorno com os sintomas depressivos (p = 0,048). Os demais sintomas como ansiedade, labilidade de humor, sintomas somáticos, habilidade para realizar tarefas e dor não apresentaram correlação. CONCLUSÃO: O TDPM provocou desconforto físico e emocional e revelou uma correlação significativa com os sintomas depressivos, sugerindo tratar-se de uma expressão clínica de transtorno de humor.<br>INTRODUCTION: Maternal premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe variant of premenstrual syndrome in which mood swings is the most disturbing and debilitating symptom, affecting the quality of life of women of reproductive age. The objective of this study was to identify the main physical and emotional manifestations of PMDD among undergraduate students of Physical Therapy. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study was carried between August and December 2008, with 259 undergraduate students. The following instruments were used: a questionnaire covering social and economic data; the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ); Steiner's self-rated premenstrual syndrome questionnaire; and the Hamilton Self-Rating Depression Questionnaire. Descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: A high prevalence of physical and emotional symptoms was found. Among the signs and symptoms assessed by MSQ, only depression showed a significant correlation with PMDD (p = 0.048). Other symptoms, such as anxiety, mood lability, physical symptoms, the ability to perform daily tasks, and pain, were not correlated with PMDD. CONCLUSION: PMDD caused physical and emotional distress among the women assessed and was significantly correlated with depression. These findings suggest that PMDD should be classified as a clinical manifestation of mood disorders