Propolis increases neutrophils response against Candida albicans through the increase of reactive oxygen species

AIM

To investigate whether Brazilian green propolis improves the immune response against recurrent form isolate recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) caused by Candida albicans by increasing neutrophil oxidative burst.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We evaluated oxidant species production, oxygen consumption, microbicidal activity and myeloperoxidase activity in neutrophils previously treated with propolis and activated with different isolates of C. albicans (RVVC), vulvovaginal candidiasis, asymptomatic isolates and the reference strain.

RESULTS

Propolis significantly increased oxidant species production, oxygen consumption, microbicidal activity and myeloperoxidase activity of neutrophils against different isolates of C. albicans including RVVC isolate that are considered resistant to the microbicidal activity of neutrophils.

CONCLUSION

Brazilian green propolis may increase neutrophil burst oxidative response to RVVC leading to an efficient removal of C. albicans.

β-Glucan induces reactive oxygen species production in human neutrophils to improve the killing of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata isolates from vulvovaginal candidiasis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is among the most prevalent vaginal diseases. Candida albicans is still the most prevalent species associated with this pathology, however, the prevalence of other Candida species, such as C. glabrata, is increasing. The pathogenesis of these infections has been intensely studied, nevertheless, no consensus has been reached on the pathogenicity of VVC. In addition, inappropriate treatment or the presence of resistant strains can lead to RVVC (vulvovaginal candidiasis recurrent). Immunomodulation therapy studies have become increasingly promising, including with the β-glucans. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated microbicidal activity, phagocytosis, intracellular oxidant species production, oxygen consumption, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and the release of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-1β, and IL-1Ra in neutrophils previously treated or not with β-glucan. In all of the assays, human neutrophils were challenged with C. albicans and C. glabrata isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis. β-glucan significantly increased oxidant species production, suggesting that β-glucan may be an efficient immunomodulator that triggers an increase in the microbicidal response of neutrophils for both of the species isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis. The effects of β-glucan appeared to be mainly related to the activation of reactive oxygen species and modulation of cytokine release.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE MÃES ADOLESCENTES E SEUS CONCEPTOS EM MUNICÍPIO DE PEQUENO PORTE, DE 1995 A 2009

Estudo transversal que teve por objetivo caracterizar o perfil de mães adolescentes e comparar características sociais, obstétricas e do recém-nascido entre o grupo de adolescentes precoces (10 a 14 anos) e tardias (15 a 19 anos), no município de Bandeirantes, Paraná, de 1.995 a 2.009. As informações foram levantadas em junho de 2.012, no banco de dados do DATASUS. Os resultados evidenciaram que no período em estudo, ocorreram 8.364 partos, dos quais 1.833 (21,9%) foram em adolescentes, sendo 73 (3,9%) entre as precoces e 1.760 (96,1%) entre as tardias. Esteve associada à gestação na adolescência precoce características como: menor escolaridade materna, ausência de companheiro, menor número de consultas de pré-natal e baixo peso ao nascer. Os achados reitera que piores condições sócio demográficas influenciam a ocorrência e o prognóstico da gravidez na adolescência, ressaltando a importância dos profissionais de saúde implementarem estratégias que diminuam sua (re)ocorrência.