Analysis of Endocrine and Inflammatory Markers in Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease of the lungs characterized by chronic airflow obstruction. Individuals with preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) may be at risk for developing COPD. This study aimed to characterize PRISm and COPD patients in terms of their immune response and endocrine profile to identify differences extending beyond lung function. The participants performed the clinical assessment, pulmonary function test, and blood collection to determine serum hormone levels and concentrations of cytokine. Differences were observed in the nutritional status, lung function, and comorbidity. There were no differences in IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF levels between PRISm and COPD groups. Both PRISm and COPD patients have lower dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels than controls. Correlation analysis of PRISm and COPD patients revealed positive correlations between serum levels of DHEA-S and DHEA, with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), which negatively correlated with IL-8 levels. The results indicated that despite differences in lung function parameters, the PRISm and COPD groups exhibited similarities in endocrine profile alterations. This study represents the first attempt to link endocrine with immune markers and lung function in individuals with PRISm.

Effect of the Flavonoid Rutin on the Modulation of the Myenteric Plexuses in an Experimental Model of Parkinson's Disease

Recent discoveries have shown that enteric glial cells play an important role in different neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), which is characterized by motor dysfunctions caused by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substance nigra pars compacta and non-motor symptoms including gastrointestinal dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the modulatory effects of the flavonoid rutin on the behavior and myenteric plexuses in a PD animal model and the response of enteric glia. Adult male Wistar rats were submitted to stereotaxic injection with 6-hydroxydopamine or saline, and they were untreated or treated with rutin (10 mg/kg) for 14 days. The ileum was collected to analyze tissue reactivity and immunohistochemistry for neurons (HuC/HuD) and enteric glial cells (S100β) in the myenteric plexuses. Behavioral tests demonstrated that treatment with rutin improved the motor capacity of parkinsonian animals and improved intestinal transit without interfering with the cell population; rutin treatment modulated the reactivity of the ileal musculature through muscarinic activation, reducing relaxation through the signaling pathway of nitric oxide donors, and increased the longitudinal contractility of the colon musculature in parkinsonian animals. Rutin revealed modulatory activities on the myenteric plexus, bringing relevant answers regarding the effect of the flavonoid in this system and the potential application of PD adjuvant treatment.

Investigating associations between intestinal alterations and parasite load according to Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. abundance in the gut microbiota of hamsters infected by Leishmania infantum

BACKGROUND

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a tropical neglected disease with high associated rates of mortality. Several studies have highlighted the importance of the intestinal tract (IT) and gut microbiota (GM) in the host immunological defense. Data in the literature on parasite life cycle and host immune defense against VL are scarce regarding the effects of infection on the IT and GM.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate changes observed in the colon of Leishmania infantum-infected hamsters, including alterations in the enteric nervous system (ENS) and GM (specifically, levels of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli).

METHODS

Male hamsters were inoculated with L. infantum and euthanised at four or eight months post-infection. Intestines were processed for histological analysis and GM analysis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to quantify each group of bacteria: Bifidobacterium spp. (Bf) and Lactobacillus spp (LacB).

FINDINGS

Infected hamsters showed histoarchitectural loss in the colon wall, with increased thickness in the submucosa and the mucosa layer, as well as greater numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes. Forms suggestive of amastigotes were seen inside mononuclear cells. L. infantum infection induced changes in ENS, as evidenced by increases in the area of colonic enteric ganglia. Despite the absence of changes in the levels of Bf and LacB during the course of infection, the relative abundance of these bacteria was associated with parasite load and histological alterations.

MAIN CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that L. infantum infection leads to important changes in the colon and suggest that bacteria in the GM play a protective role.

Bioaccessibility and antimicrobial properties of a shrimp demineralization extract blended with chitosan as wrapping material in ready-to-eat raw salmon

A shrimp extract (SME) obtained from the mild-acid demineralization treatment of shrimp shells to produce chitosan was collected. It was mainly composed of fat (≈73%), protein (≈19%), and ash (≈9%) and contained considerable amounts of calcium (≈1.9 g/100 g), astaxanthin (≈30 mg/100 g) and unsaturated fatty acids (≈27% MUFA, ≈39% PUFA). The SME was used in combination with chitosan for wrapping raw salmon to produce a ready-to-eat product enriched in calcium. No significant changes in hardness were found, as compared to the unwrapped salmon. Estimated intakes of bioaccessible calcium increased significantly by 3.6-fold, whereas intake of bioaccessible fat was reduced by 15%. SFA were the main fatty acid group reduced (≈80%), whereas MUFA and PUFA were only reduced by ≈20% each. Total viable counts, pseudomonads, enterobacteria, and specific fish spoilers were reduced by 2-4 log CFU/g in wrapped sample during the chilled storage period (19 days).

Hormone levels are associated with clinical markers and cytokine levels in human localized cutaneous leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a serious health problem in several parts of the world, and localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is the most frequent presentation of the tegumentary form of this disease cluster. Clinical presentations of leishmaniasis are influenced by both parasite and host factors, with emphasis on the host immune response. Alterations in plasma hormone levels have been described in many infections, and changes in hormone levels could be related to an imbalanced cytokine profile. In the present work, we evaluated a group of patients with LCL to determine changes in plasma hormone levels (cortisol, DHEA-S, estradiol, prolactin and testosterone) and their association with clinical markers of disease (lesion size, dose used to reach cure and time to cure) and with cytokines produced by PBMC stimulated by SLA (IFN-γ, IL-10 and TNF-α). Individuals with LCL exhibited lower plasma levels of DHEA-S, prolactin and testosterone compared with sex-matched controls, whereas levels of cortisol and estradiol were similar between patients and controls. Plasma levels of cortisol, estradiol or prolactin positively correlated with at least one clinical parameter. Cortisol and prolactin levels exhibited a negative correlation with levels of IFN-γ, whereas no correlation was observed with IL-10 or TNF-α levels. A decrease in DHEA-S levels was observed in male LCL patients when compared to male healthy controls. No other differences between the sexes were observed. Our results indicate a role for neuroendocrine regulation that restricts Th1 responses in human LCL. It is possible that, although impairing parasite killing, such neuroimmunomodulation may contribute to limiting tissue damage.

Effects of acute cold stress on phagocytosis of apoptotic cells: the role of corticosterone

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Stress can alter many aspects of the immune response, and many studies have been conducted on the effects of stress on inflammatory processes, but little is known about its influence on the resolution of inflammation in tissue homeostasis, which includes the clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages in a non-phlogistic way. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acute cold stress on the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages.

METHODS

Mice were submitted to acute cold stress (4 degrees C for 4 h) and the capacity of peritoneal macrophages to phagocyte apoptotic thymocytes and to secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines was evaluated. Plasma corticosterone and catecholamine levels were investigated to assess their effect on the phagocytic capacity of macrophages in vitro.

RESULTS

We showed that acute cold stress decreases phagocytosis of apoptotic cells at the inflammatory site by lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages but did not affect resting macrophages. The inhibitory effect on phagocytosis is accompanied by a reduced level of TGF-beta and higher IL-10 secretion. After stress, plasma concentrations of corticosterone increased 6-fold, epinephrine 2-fold and norepinephrine 1.7-fold compared to control mice. In vitro experiments showed that the decrease in phagocytosis after stress could be attributed, at least in part, to the effects of corticosterone; epinephrine and norepinephrine had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study shows that acute cold stress decreases phagocytosis of apoptotic cells from an inflammatory environment by macrophages, and this inhibition is mediated by the intracellular glucocorticoid receptor.

Genetic variability of trypanosomatids isolated from phytophagous hemiptera defined by morphological, biochemical, and molecular taxonomic markers

In the present study, we investigated the genetic variability among 49 new isolates of trypanosomatids from phytophagous Hemiptera by means of morphological characters, growth features, and biochemical (enzymes of ornithine-arginine cycle) and molecular markers (based on spliced-leader, and ribosomal genes). From 402 phytophagous insects dissected and examined for the presence of trypanosomatids, 228 species belonging to Pyrrhocoridae, Coreidae, Lygaeidae, and Pentatomidae families harbored trypanosomatids in their salivary glands, or digestive tubes. Among these insects, 211 carried promastigotes and only 17 had choanomastigote forms. The results show a strong association among morphology, growth features, and biochemical and molecular markers and reveal the genetic diversity of the isolates, which were assigned to Crithidia, Phytomonas, and Leptomonas; we found genetic polymorphism within all these genera, thus indicating high genetic variability among trypanosomatids from phytophagous insects.

Veneza zonata (Hemiptera: Coreidae)/Trypanosomatid Relationship: Action of Hemolymph in Vitro and Experimental Infection

The defense response of Veneza zonata (Hemiptera: Coreidae) against three different trypanosomatid infections was assessed: (1) strain 714TD, a Leptomonas which has V. zonata as vector of a plant trypanosomatid, (2) strain 563TD, a Leptomonas isolated from the digestive tract of Euchistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and (3) Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, a human parasite that cannot infect V. zonata. Experiments with V. zonata hemolymph showed agglutination only of L. (L.) amazonensis culture forms and hemocytic recognition was more intense with this strain. L. (L.) amazonensis also activated the prophenoloxidase system, whereas strains 714TD and 563TD did not activate this system but rather seemed to inhibit phenoloxidase activity. No flagellates were seen in the digestive tract, hemolymph, or salivary glands in insects infected with L. (L.) amazonensis. The digestive tract, the hemolymph, and the salivary glands of insects fed on tomatoes inoculated with 714TD are sequentially invaded by the flagellate, which is inoculated in plants together with saliva. Insects fed on tomatoes inoculated with 563TD exhibited culture forms in the digestive tract (6 days after) and hemocoel (three additional days); however, they died 12 to 14 days after exposure. The salivary glands in insects inoculated in the hemocoel with 714TD strain are rapidly invaded, whereas those with 563TD culture forms died approximately 24 h after infection. Bacterial proliferation in the hemocoel and hemocyte surface blebbing were seen in insects infected only with 563TD strain as the probable pathogenic mechanism of insect death.