Maricilia Silva Costa

Cytokine mRNA Expression Is Decreased in the Subplantar Muscle of Rat Paw Subjected to Carrageenan-Induced Inflammation after Low-Level Laser Therapy

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this work was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of low-level laser therapy, applied at different wavelengths (660 and 684 nm), on cytokine mRNA expression after carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rat paw. Background Data: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been observed to reduce pain in inflammatory disorders. However, little is known about the mechanisms behind this effect or whether it is wavelength-specific. Materials and Methods: The test sample consisted of 32 rats divided into four groups: A1 (control-saline), A2 (carrageenan-only), A3 (carrageenan + 660 nm laser therapy), and A4 (carrageenan + 684 nm laser therapy). The animals from groups A3 and A4 were irradiated 1 h after induction of inflammation by carrageenan injection. Continuous-wave red lasers with wavelengths of 660 and 684 nm and dose of 7.5 J/cm2 were used. Results: Both the 660 nm and 684 nm laser groups had 30%–40% lower mRNA expression for cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the...OBJECTIVE The objective of this work was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of low-level laser therapy, applied at different wavelengths (660 and 684 nm), on cytokine mRNA expression after carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rat paw. BACKGROUND DATA Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been observed to reduce pain in inflammatory disorders. However, little is known about the mechanisms behind this effect or whether it is wavelength-specific. MATERIALS AND METHODS The test sample consisted of 32 rats divided into four groups: A(1) (control-saline), A(2) (carrageenan-only), A(3) (carrageenan + 660 nm laser therapy), and A(4) (carrageenan + 684 nm laser therapy). The animals from groups A(3) and A(4) were irradiated 1 h after induction of inflammation by carrageenan injection. Continuous-wave red lasers with wavelengths of 660 and 684 nm and dose of 7.5 J/cm(2) were used. RESULTS Both the 660 nm and 684 nm laser groups had 30%-40% lower mRNA expression for cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 in the paw muscle tissue than the carrageenan-only control group. Cytokine measurements were made 3 h after laser irradiation of the paw muscle, and all cytokine differences between the carrageenan-only control group and the LLLT groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS LLLT at the 660-nm and 684-nm wavelengths administered to inflamed rat paw tissue at a dose of 7.5 J/cm(2) reduce cytokine mRNA expression levels within 3 h in the laser-irradiated tissue.

Low level laser therapy modulates kinin receptors mRNA expression in the subplantar muscle of rat paw subjected to carrageenan-induced inflammation.

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used clinically in order to treat inflammatory processes. In this work, we evaluated if LLLT alters kinin receptors mRNA expression in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. Experimental groups were designed as followed: A1 (Control-saline), A2 (Carrageenan-only), A3 (Carrageenan+laser 660 nm) and A4 (Carrageenan+laser 684 nm). Edema was measured by a plethysmometer. Subplantar tissue was collected for kinin receptors mRNA quantification by Real time-PCR. LLLT of both 660 and 684 nm wavelengths administrated 1 h after carrageenan injection was able to promote the reduction of edema produced by carrageenan. In the A2 group, B1 receptor expression presented a significantly increase when compared to control group. Kinin B1 receptor mRNA expression significantly decreased after LLLTs 660 or 684 nm wavelength. Kinin B2 receptor mRNA expression also diminished after both laser irradiations. Our results suggest that expression of both kinin receptors is modulated by LLLT, possibly contributing to its anti-inflammatory effect.

Low level laser therapy (LLLT): Attenuation of cholinergic hyperreactivity, β2-adrenergic hyporesponsiveness and TNF-α mRNA expression in rat bronchi segments in E. coli lipopolysaccharide-induced airway inflammation by a NF-κB dependent mechanism

It is unknown if the decreased ability to relax airways smooth muscles in asthma and other inflammatory disorders, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), can be influenced by low level laser therapy (LLLT) irradiation. In this context, the present work was developed in order to investigate if LLLT could reduce dysfunction in inflamed bronchi smooth muscles (BSM) in rats.

The photodynamic effect of methylene blue and toluidine blue on Candida albicans is dependent on medium conditions

Due to the increased number of immunocompromised patients, the infections associated with the pathogen of the genus Candida and other fungi have increased dramatically. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) has been presented as a potential antimicrobial therapy, in a process that combines light and a photosensitizing drug, which promotes a phototoxic response by the treated cells. In this work, we studied the effects of the different medium conditions during PACT, using either methylene blue (MB) or toluidine blue (TB) on Candida albicans. The inhibition of the growth produced by PACT was decreased for different pH values (6.0, 7.0, and 8.0) in a buffered medium. The phototoxic effects were observed only in the presence of saline (not buffered medium). PACT was modulated by calcium in a different manner using either MB or TB. Also when using MB both verapamil or sodium azide were able to decrease the phototoxic effects on the C. albicans. These results show that PACT is presented as a new and promising antifungal therapy, however, new studies are necessary to understand the mechanism by which this event occurs.

Aloe vera extract reduces both growth and germ tube formation by Candida albicans

Due to the increased number of immunocompromised patients, the infections associated with the pathogen of the genus Candida have significantly increased in recent years. To grow, Candida albicans may form a germ tube extension from the cells, which is essential for virulence. In this work, we studied the effect of crude glycolic extract of Aloe vera fresh leaves (20% w/v) on growth and germ tube formation by C. albicans. The C. albicans growth was determined in the presence of different concentrations of A. vera extracts in Sabouraud dextrose broth medium. In the presence of A. vera extract (10% v/v), the pronounced inhibition in the C. albicans growth (90–100%) was observed. This inhibition occurred parallel to the decrease in the germ tube formation induced by goat serum. Our results demonstrated that A. vera fresh leaves plant extract can inhibit both the growth and the germ tube formation by C. albicans. Our results suggest the possibility that A. vera extract may be used as a promising novel antifungal treatment.

Diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2 inhibits biofilm formation by Candida albicans, increasing both ROS production and membrane permeability.

PROJECT The opportunistic fungal Candida albicans can produce superficial and systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. An essential stage to both colonization and virulence by C. albicans is the transition from budding yeast form to filamentous form, producing biofilms. PROCEDURE In this work, we studied the effect of the organochalcogenide compound (PhSe)2 on both cell growth and biofilm formation by C. albicans. RESULTS (PhSe)2 inhibited both growth and biofilm formation by C. albicans. The inhibitory effects of (PhSe)2 depended on the cell density and (PhSe)2 concentration. We have also observed that (PhSe)2 stimulated ROS production (67%) and increased cell membrane permeability (2.94-fold) in C. albicans. In addition, (PhSe)2 caused a marked decrease in proteinase activity (6.8-fold) in relation to non-treated group. CONCLUSIONS (PhSe)2 decreased both cell growth and biofilm development, decreasing the release of extracellular proteinases, which is an important facet of C. albicans pathogenicity. The toxicity of (PhSe)2 towards C. albicans can be associated with an increase in ROS production, which can increase cell permeability. The permanent damage to the cell membranes can culminate in cell death.

Inhibition of carrageenan-induced expression of tissue and plasma prekallikreins mRNA by low level laser therapy in a rat paw edema model

BACKGROUND Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used clinically in order to treat inflammation, where tissue and plasma prekallikrein have crucial importance. Plasma prekallikrein (PPK) is synthesized by the hepatocytes and secreted into the bloodstream, where it participates in the surface-dependent activation of blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, kinin generation and inflammation. Tissue prekallikrein is associated with important disease states (including cancer, inflammation, and neurodegeneration) and has been utilized or proposed as clinically important biomarker or therapeutic target of interest. OBJECTIVE To evaluate if LLLT modulates tissue and plasma prekallikreins mRNA expression in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. METHODS Experimental groups were assigned as followed: A(1) (Control-saline), A(2) (Carrageenan-only), A(3) (laser 660 nm only) and A(4) (Carrageenan + laser 660 nm). Edema was measured by a plethysmometer. Subplantar tissue was collected for the quantification of prekallikreins mRNA by Real time-Polymerase Chain Reaction. RESULTS A significantly decrease in the edema was observed after laser irradiation. Expression of prekallikreins increased after carrageenan injection. Tissue and plasma prekallikrein mRNA expression significantly decreased after LLLTs 660 nm wavelength. CONCLUSION These results suggest that expression of tissue and plasma prekallikreins is modulated by LLLT, which can be used in clinical practice due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Candida albicans growth and germ tube formation can be inhibited by simple diphenyl diselenides [(PhSe)2, (MeOPhSe)2, (p-Cl-PhSe)2, (F3CPhSe)2] and diphenyl ditelluride

Candida species are the fourth most common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. An increase in the frequency of infections, which have become refractory to standard antifungal therapy, has been observed. Recent studies have shown that the pro‐oxidant properties of diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2, a structurally simple organoselenium compound, can be toxic to yeast. The objective of this work was to study, under non‐reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐generating conditions, the effect of different organochalcogenide compounds [(PhSe)2, (PhTe)2, (MeOPhSe)2, (p‐Cl‐PhSe)2 and (F3CPhSe)2] on growth and germ tube formation by Candida albicans. A decrease in C. albicans growth in the presence of crescent concentrations of (PhSe)2, (PhTe)2 and (MeOPhSe)2 was observed. The organochalcogenide compound concentration needed to inhibit 50% (IC50) of the Candida growth was 0.5–2 and 2–10 μmol l−1, at a cell density of 105 and 106 cells ml−1, respectively. The compounds (p‐Cl‐PhSe)2 and (F3CPhSe)2 were able to inhibit the cell growth, although the inhibition was considerably weaker than that by (PhSe)2, (PhTe)2 and (MeOPhSe)2. In Candida suspensions incubated in a medium containing serum as an inducer of germ tube formation, the presence of either (PhSe)2 or (MeOPhSe)2 at 10 μmol l−1 completely inhibited the number of cells which formed germ tubes. These results demonstrate the potential of organochalcogenide compounds to inhibit both C. albicans growth and germ tube formation.

Azure dyes as new photosensitizer prototypes to application in photodynamic therapy against Candida spp.

Infections caused by Candida albicans are of increasing concern, especially considering immunodepressed patients. The toxicity of most antifungal agents, the great number of cases with recidives, as well as the emergence of resistant samples has provoked the evaluation of new forms of therapy. In this context, the photodynamic therapy (PDT) presents auspicious antimicrobial properties, stimulating the development of trials employing several kinds of photosensitizers. In the present work, the application of different kind of Azure dyes as photosensitizer in PDT against C. albicans was evaluated through instrumental measurements of electronic spectroscopy. In fact, the values of optical density were a precise indicator of the growth inhibition of the microorganisms. Indeed, Azures are phenothiazinium derivatives that constitute a very relevant class of compounds with several biomedical applications, such as photoantimicrobial therapy against local bacterial infection, tuberculosis, trypanosomi- asis, malaria, Rickettsia, yeasts, viral infection n and cancer. Azure A, Azure B, Azure A thiocyanate, Azure B BF4 ,A zure A eosinate are the dyes tested against C. albicans. The results denoted completely distinct behaviors to the different types of Azure compound evaluated in this work. In fact, Azure A and Azure A eosinate presented significant results when irradiated with 56 J/cm 2 , since the growth inhibition of C. albicans reached approximately 60%. This Azure compounds have significant potential to be employed as photosensitizer (PS) in PDT, especially in cases of mucocutaneous candidosis. The spectroscopic evaluation was very effective to the detection of slight alterations in the growth of the microorganisms, denoting that this kind of analysis is an excellent alternative to determine growth inhibition of Candida albicans. The experimental data are discussed in details in agreement with recent results from literature.

Oral appliance treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in a partly edentulous patient.

INTRODUCTION We report on the use of an oral appliance fitted to a few maxillary and mandibular teeth to treat obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. METHODS We used a mandibular repositioning appliance, the adjustable PMPositioner. Polysomnograms were taken before and after use of the appliance. RESULTS The apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 19.0 to 8.0. Minimum oxygen saturation increased from 80.0% to 86.0%, and rapid eye movement sleep increased from 6.0% to 20.0%, indicating that the device remained in position during sleep. A 2-year follow-up showed that periodontal and gingival health was maintained. CONCLUSIONS Oral appliances such as the PMPositioner are an alternative for treating obstructive sleep apnea in partly edentulous patients.