Abstract: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the result of the selective destruction of the pancreatic β-cells by T cells of the immune system. Although spleen is a secondary lymphoid organ, it is also involved in the T1D pathogenesis. However, the alterations in a variety of cellular processes of this disease need to be further understood. We aimed to analyze the benefits of resveratrol, and its complexed form on diabetic complications in the spleen of rats. To this end, we investigated important enzymes of phosphoryl transfer network, and Na+, K+-ATPase activity. Wistar rats were divided into non-diabetic groups: Control, Ethanol, Resveratrol, Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, Resveratrol-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and diabetic groups with the same treatments. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of 60 mg/kg of streptozocin intraperitoneally, and treatments by intragastric gavage once daily for 60 days. Hyperglycemia reduced creatine kinase activity, which was reversed by the administration of resveratrol. Na+, K+-ATPase activity was greatly affected, but it was reversed by resveratrol and resveratrol-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. This suggest an energetic imbalance in the spleen of diabetic rats, and in case this also occurs in the diabetic patients, it is possible that resveratrol supplementation could be beneficial to the better functioning of the spleen in diabetic patients.

This study aimed to screen plant species from the Amazon region for the potential to be used in the integrated management of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). For this purpose, the efficiency of the hydroalcoholic extracts of 15 plant species from the Amazon region was evaluated. The extracts were obtained from plant leaves, bark, or vines. The efficiency of the extracts (30 mg-mL-1) was evaluated on eggs and third instar larvae of S. frugiperda. A range of reactions of the fall armyworm to the hydroalcoholic extracts was observed. The extract obtainedfrom the bark of Calycophyllum spruceanum (Benth.) Hook. f. ex K. Schum. presented the highest efficiency against the eggs, whereas the extract obtained from the leaves of Bauhinia forficata Link was most efficient against the larvae. These findings are essential for the management offall armyworms because the deleterious effects in the initial stages of S. frugiperda development significantly reduce maize production. In conclusion, the extracts of C. spruceanum and B. forficata were more efficient for eggs and larvae of the fall armyworm, respectively.

Esta investigación tiene el objetivo de hacer una selección de especies vegetales que son propias de la región Amazónica con potencial de uso en el manejo integrado de la oruga militar tardía Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Para tal, fue evaluado la eficiencia de extractos hidroalcohólicos de 15 especies vegetales que se son de la región. Los extractos fueron producidos a partir de las hojas, o de la cáscara, o de liana de las plantas. La eficiencia de los extractos (30 mg.mL-1) fue evaluada sobre huevos y larvas de 3° instar de S. frugiperda. Se constató una variación de respuesta de la oruga militar tardía entre los extractos hidroalcohólicos. El extracto de la cáscara de Calycophyllum spruceanum (Benth.) Hook. f. ex K. Schum. presentó mayor eficiencia en los huevos, y el extracto de las hojas de Bauhinia forficata Link presentó mayor eficiencia en las larvas. Estos resultados son fundamentales para el manejo de la oruga militar tardía, toda vez que, los efectos nocivos reducen las pérdidas en la producción de maíz en las primeras fases del desarrollo del S. frugiperda. Se concluye que los extractos de C. spruceanum y B. forficata fueron los más eficientes para los huevos y larvas de la oruga militar tardía.

Several genes related to the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome pathway, including those coding for proteasome subunits and conjugation enzymes, are differentially expressed during the Schistosoma mansoni life cycle. Although deubiquitinating enzymes have been reported to be negative regulators of protein ubiquitination and shown to play an important role in Ub-dependent processes, little is known about their role in S. mansoni . In this study, we analysed the Ub carboxyl-terminal hydrolase (UCHs) proteins found in the database of the parasite’s genome. An in silicoana- lysis (GeneDB and MEROPS) identified three different UCH family members in the genome, Sm UCH-L3, Sm UCH-L5 and SmBAP-1 and a phylogenetic analysis confirmed the evolutionary conservation of the proteins. We performed quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and observed a differential expression profile for all of the investigated transcripts between the cercariae and adult worm stages. These results were corroborated by low rates of Z-Arg-Leu-Arg-Gly-Gly-AMC hydrolysis in a crude extract obtained from cercariae in parallel with high Ub conjugate levels in the same extracts. We suggest that the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in the cercaria and early schistosomulum stages is related to a decrease in 26S proteasome activity. Taken together, our data suggest that UCH family members contribute to regulating the activity of the Ub-proteasome system during the life cycle of this parasite.