PURPOSE:To evaluate the genotoxicity of propolis and L-lysine, as well as their effects on the possible cellular damage in erythroblasts (bone marrow) and leukocytes (peripheral blood) caused by the carcinogen BBN (n - butyl - n {4 - hydroxybutyl} nitrosamine) in rats subjected to bladder carcinogenesis and treated with green propolis and L-lysine.METHODS: One hundred and twenty five rats were distributed into the following groups: I, IIA, IIB, III, K, L M N, X, XI, XII and XIII. Groups I to X received BBN in drinking water for 14 weeks (wks). Group I was treated with intragastric (ig) propolis at 150 mg/kg body weight, for 44 wks, beginning 30 days before start of BBN. Groups IIA and III were treated with propolis (150 mg/kg), for 40 wks, subcutaneous (sc) and ig, respectively, beginning simultaneously with BBN. On the 32nd wk, the animals of groups L, M and N were treated ig with L-lysine (300 mg/kg), celecoxib (30 mg/kg) and propolis (300 mg/kg), respectively, up to the 40th wk. The groups that received only BBN (IIB and K) were treated with water, sc and orally, respectively, for 40 wks. Groups XI, XII and XIII received respectively propolis (150 mg/kg), L-lysine (150 mg/kg) and water ig for 40 wks. After 40 wks, the surviving animals were anesthetized and subjected to femoral bone marrow aspiration and blood collection from the aorta, for CA and MNT, respectively, for investigation of genotoxicity.RESULTS: Groups IIB and K, which received only BBN and water, showed the greatest DNA damage in peripheral leukocytes (CA) and largest number of micronuclei in bone marrow erythrocytes (MNT) in relation to all other groups that received BBN and lysine and/or propolis (p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS:Both propolis and L-lysine are effective in protecting against genotoxicity, as well not being genotoxic themselves toward the cells evaluated, at the doses and times administered and according to the two tests utilized.

IntroductionAmphotericin B (AMB) is an antifungal agent used extensively in clinical medicine, yet resistance remains low. This study aims to evaluate the susceptibility of Candida spp. against AMB.MethodsFor broth microdilution susceptibility testing, 77 strains of Candida spp. were selected (32 C. albicans, 33 C. tropicalis, and 12 C. parapsilosis). The strains were considered susceptible when they exhibited MIC≤1.0µg/ml.ResultsNone of the strains showed an MIC greater than 0.25µg/ml.ConclusionsFurther works are necessary, with a higher number of strains, to assess the validity of the results used in this study.

OBJETIVO: Determinar os efeitos da própolis verde solúvel em água na angiogênese de câncer de bexiga em ratos que receberam n-butil-(-4-hidroxibutil) nitrosamina (BBN). METODOS: Nove grupos foram estabelecidos, onde em seis destes (grupos de 1 a 6) os animais receberam BBN a 0,05% em água de beber por 14 semanas. Na 32ª semana das 40 semanas, os grupos 1, 2, 3 e 4 foram tratados respectivamente com água, L lisina (300 mg/kg/dia), celecoxibe (30 mg/kg/dia) e própolis (300 mg/kg/dia). Os grupos 5 e 6 receberam própolis e L lisina da 1ª a 40ª semana (150 mg/ kg/dia). A densidade microvascular foi determinada por cortes histológicos corados pelo CD-31 e analisados por programa de computador específico. RESULTADOS: A densidade microvascular em carcinomas de bexiga foi menor com p<0,01 nos ratos que receberam própolis do que nos carcinomas do grupo controle que recebeu apenas carcinógeno. Por outro lado, a densidade microvascular de tumores de ratos que receberam carcinógeno e L-Lisina por 40 semanas desde o início do carcinógeno foi significantemente maior com p<0,01 que a densidade microvascular dos tumores de seu respectivo grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: A própolis verde solúvel em água inibiu a angiogênese em câncer de bexiga induzido pelo BBN, enquanto a L- lisina estimulou a angiogênese quando iniciada juntamente com o BBN.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of water-soluble derivative of green propolis in bladder cancer angiogenesis in rats given N-butyl-(-4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN). METHODS: Nine groups were established, where six of them (Groups 1 to 6), the animals received 0.05% BBN in their drinking water for 14 weeks. From the 32nd to the 40th week, Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were treated respectively with water, L-lysine (300 mg/kg/day), celecoxib (30 mg/kg/day) and propolis (300 mg/kg/day). Groups 5 and 6 were given propolis and L-lysine from the 1st to the 40th week (150 mg/kg/day). Microvascular density was determined by histological sections stained for the marker CD-31 and analyzed with specific software. RESULTS: The microvascular density in bladder carcinomas was lower (p<0.01) in rats receiving propolis than in controls given carcinogen only. On the other hand, the microvascular density of tumors in rats receiving carcinogen and L-lysine for 40 weeks from the beginning of carcinogen treatment was significantly higher (p<0.01) than in the corresponding controls. CONCLUSION: Water-soluble derivative of propolis inhibits angiogenesis in BBN-induced rat bladder cancer, while L-lysine treatment stimulates angiogenesis if initiated concurrently with BBN.

OBJETIVO: Determinar os efeitos da própolis verde extraída em L - Lisina (WSDP) e da L-Lisina por 40 semanas em ratos induzidos a carcinogênese de bexiga. MÉTODOS: Os animais (grupos I, II, III, IV, V e VI) receberam BBN por 14 semanas. O grupo I foi tratado com própolis 30 dias antes de receber BBN e em seguida estes animais foram tratados diariamente com própolis; Os grupos II e III foram tratados com própolis subcutânea e oral (respectivamente) e concorretemente com BBN. Os animais do grupo IV foram tratados com L- Lisina; o grupo V recebeu água subcutânea; o grupo VI recebeu apenas BBN. Entre os animais não submetidos a indução de carcinogênese, Grupo VII, receberam própolis, Grupo VIII, receberam L-Lisina e Grupo IX receberam água. RESULTADOS: A incidência de carcinoma no grupo I foi menor que no grupo controle (grupo IV) A multiplicidade de carcinoma no grupo IV foi maior que no grupo VI. Todos os animais tratados com L - Lisina desenvolveram carcinomas e estes foram mais invasivos no grupo IV que no grupo controle. Por outro lado o grupo VIII não apresentou lesões. CONCLUSÃO: WSDP é quimiopreventiva contra a carcinogese de bexiga se administrada 30 dias antes do início do BBN, e a L - Lisina causa promoção da carcinogênese de bexiga.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of green propolis extracted in L-lysine (WSDP) and of L- lysine for 40 weeks on induced rat bladder carcinogenesis. METHODS: The animals (groups I, II, III, IV, V and VI) received BBN during 14 weeks. Group I was treated with propolis 30 days prior received BBN, and then these animals were treated daily with propolis; Groups II and III was treated with subcutaneous and oral propolis (respectively) concurrently with BBN. The animals of Group IV were treated L-lysine; Group V received water subcutaneous; and Group VI received only to BBN. Among the animals not submitted to carcinogenesis induction, Group VII received propolis, Group VIII received L-lysine and Group IX received water. RESULTS: The carcinoma incidence in Group I was lower than that of control (Group VI). The carcinoma multiplicity in Group IV was greater than in Group VI. All animals treated with L-lysine developed carcinomas, and they were also more invasive in Group IV than in controls. On the other hand, Group VIII showed no bladder lesions. CONCLUSION: The WSDP is chemopreventive against rat bladder carcinogenesis, if administered 30 days prior to BBN , and that L-lysine causes promotion of bladder carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia is a hemoglobinopathy caused by a mutation that results in the production of an abnormal hemoglobin molecule, hemoglobin S (Hb S). This is responsible for profound physiological changes, such as the sickling of red blood cells. Several studies have shown that hydroxyurea protects against vaso-occlusive crises. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress associated with biochemical parameters in patients with sickle cell anemia treated with hydroxyurea. METHODS: The study was conducted with 20 male and 25 female patients at the Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio. The patients were divided into two groups: a study group (n = 12), patients with sickle cell anemia who were receiving hydroxyurea and a control group (n = 33) of sickle cell anemia patients not submitted to hydroxyurea treatment. The biochemical parameters analyzed were ferritin, transferrin, and serum iron. Glutathione was measured in its reduced form to analyze the oxidative state. RESULTS: The results showed insignificant increases in the levels of serum iron, transferrin and ferritin in patients treated with hydroxyurea when compared with those who did not take the medication. However, the glutathione levels were significantly higher in patients taking hydroxyurea than in controls. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that hydroxyurea possibly acts as an antioxidant by increasing glutathione levels.

From the lichen Parmotrema lichexantonicum were isolated the depsidone salazinic acid, the xanthone lichexanthone, and the depside atranorin. The two major compounds, salazinic acid and lichexanthone, were selected for structure modifications. Salazinic acid afforded O-alkyl salazinic acids, some of them potentially cytotoxic against tumor cell lines (HCT-8, SF-295 and MDA/ MB - 435). From lichexanthone were obtained norlichexanthone, 3-O-methylnorlichexanthone, 3-O-methyl-6-O-prenylnorlichexanthone, 3,6-di-O-prenyl-norlichexanthone, 3,6-bis[(3,3-dimethyloxyran-2-il)methoxy]-1-hydroxy-8-methyl-9H-xanten-9-one and 3,6-bis[3-(dimethylamine)propoxy]-1-hydroxy-8-methyl-9H-xanten-9-one. The last compound was the most active against S. aureus.