AbstractSome publications have described the pharmacological properties of latices proteins. Thus, in the present study proteins from Plumeria pudica Jacq., Apocynaceae, latex were evaluated for anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. Obtained data showed that an intraperitoneal administration of different doses of latex was able to reduce the paw edema induced by carrageenan in a dose-dependent manner (better dose 40 mg/kg; 72.7% inhibition at 3rd and 78.7% at 4th hour) and the edema induced by dextran (40 mg/kg; 51.5% inhibition at 30 min and 93.0% at 1st hour). Inhibition of edema induced by carrageenan was accompanied by a reduction of myeloperoxidase activity. Pre-treating animals with latex (40 mg/kg) also inhibited the paw edema induced by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, prostaglandin E2, compound 48/80. Additionally, the latex (40 mg/kg) reduced the leukocyte peritoneal migration induced by carrageenan and this event was followed by reduction of IL-1β and TNF-α in peritoneal fluid. The latex-treatment (40 mg/kg) reduced the animal abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid and the first phase on paw licking model induced by formalin. When latex was treated with heat (at 100 °C for 30 min), anti-edematogenic and myeloperoxidase activities were significantly reduced, indicating the involvement of heat-sensitive proteins on anti-inflammatory effect. Our results evidence that latex fluids are a source of proteins with pharmacological properties.

OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to investigate the clinical correlation between angiographic coronary atherosclerosis and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide along with other known correlated factors.METHODS:In total, 153 patients with a diagnostic hypothesis of stable angina, unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction were classified as group A (patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries) or group B (patients with angiographic coronary atherosclerosis). The two groups were analyzed with respect to the following factors: gender, age, body mass index, abdominal circumference, smoking, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, early family history of atherosclerosis, statin use, the presence of metabolic syndrome, clinical presentation and biochemical factors, including cholesterol, creatinine and fibrinogen plasma concentrations, monocyte counts and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide.RESULTS:Univariate analyses comparing the two groups revealed that group B patients more frequently had diabetes, used statins and had systolic dysfunction, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels ≥250 pg/mL, fibrinogen levels >500 mg/dL and ≥501 monocytes/mm3 compared with group A patients (p<0.05). Nevertheless, multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the independent predictors of angiographic coronary atherosclerosis were an N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level ≥250 pg/mL, diabetes mellitus and increased monocyte numbers and fibrinogen plasma concentration, regardless of the creatinine level or the presence of systolic dysfunction.CONCLUSIONS:An N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide plasma concentration of ≥250 pg/mL is an independent predictor of angiographic coronary atherosclerosis.

CONTEXTO: Metotrexato e outros agentes anticâncer podem induzir uma mucosite intestinal, que é um dos fatores de limitante mais comum que limitam o aumento escalonado da dose do metotrexato. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o esvaziamento gástrico e o trânsito gastrointestinal de líquidos na mucosite intestinal induzida por metotrexato. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar, receberam metotrexato (2.5 mg/kg/dia por 3 dias, subcutâneo) ou salina. Após 1, 3 ou 7 dias, secções do duodeno, jejuno e íleo foram retirados para análise morfométrica e dosagem da atividade de mieloperoxidase (marcador bioquímico da infiltração de neutrófilos). Outros ratos foram pré-tratados com metotrexato ou salina, após 3 ou 7 dias, foram alimentados mediante gavagem com uma refeição teste e sacrificados após 10, 20 e 30 minutos. As retenções fracionais do corante no estômago e em três segmentos do intestino delgado foram determinados por espectrofotometria. RESULTADOS: Após 3 dias do metotrexato, houve lesão do epitélio intestinal em todos os segmentos, com aumento da atividade de mieloperoxidase, no duodeno e íleo. Sete dias após o metotrexato, foi observada completa reversão da lesão intestinal. Observou-se ainda retardo no esvaziamento gástrico após 10 min, 20 min e 30 min, após 3 dias, mas não após 7 dias do tratamento com metotrexato. A retenção fracional dos segmentos do intestino foi reduzida no primeiro e segundo segmentos após 10 min, e no terceiro segmento após 30 min da administração da refeição, somente 3 dias após o tratamento com metotrexato. CONCLUSÃO: A mucosite intestinal induzida por metotrexato retarda o esvaziamento gástrico e o trânsito gastrointestinal de líquidos em ratos acordados.

CONTEXT: Methotrexate and other anticancer agents can induce intestinal mucositis, which is one of the most common limiting factor that prevent further dose escalation of the methotrexate. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit of liquids in methotrexate-induced intestinal mucositis. METHODS: Wistar rats received methotrexate (2.5 mg/kg/day for 3 days, subcutaneously) or saline. After 1, 3 and 7 days, sections of duodenum, jejunum and ileum were removed for assessment of epithelial damage and myeloperoxidase activity (biochemical marker of granulocyte infiltration). Others rats were pre-treated with methotrexate or saline, gavage-fed after 3 or 7 days with a standard test liquid meal, and sacrificed 10, 20 or 30-min later. Gastric and small intestine dye recoveries were measured by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: After 3 days of methotrexate, there was an epithelial intestinal damage in all segments, with myeloperoxidase activity increase in both in duodenum and ileum. Seven days after methotrexate, we observed a complete reversion of this intestinal damage. There was an increase in gastric dye recoveries after 10, 20, and 30-min post-prandial intervals after 3 days, but not after 7 days, of methotrexate. Intestine dye recoveries were decreased in the first and second segments at 10 min, in the third at 20 min, and in the second and third at 30 min, only after 3 days of methotrexate treatment. CONCLUSION: Methotrexate-induced intestinal mucositis delays gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit of liquids in awake rats.