Protective Effects of Inosine on Memory Consolidation in a Rat Model of Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment: Involvement of Cholinergic Signaling,Redox Status,and Ion Pump Activities

Neurochemical Research - This study investigated the effects of inosine on memory acquisition and consolidation, cholinesterases activities, redox status and Na+, K+-ATPase activity in a rat model...     

Sarcoid-Like Paracoccidioidomycosis in a Female Urban Dweller: Reviewing a Rare Clinical Condition in Brazil

We discuss the sarcoid-like clinical presentation, a rare type of infiltrative paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) that is almost exclusively cutaneous, involves the face and histologically has a tuberculoid granulomatous pattern with few fungi. It is often misdiagnosed. In endemic regions of Brazil, PCM is more common among men from rural areas, while women of a reproductive age appear to be protected. We report the sarcoid-like PCM in a female urban dweller and highlight the main findings of a literature review.     

Increased oxidative stress in elderly leprosy patients is related to age but not to bacillary load

BackgroundLeprosy continues to be a public health problem in Brazil. Furthermore, detection rates in elderly people have increased, particularly those of multibacillary (L-Lep) patients, who are responsible for transmitting M. leprae. Part of the decline in physiological function during aging is due to increased oxidative damage and change in T cell subpopulations, which are critical in defense against the disease. It is not still clear how age-related changes like those related to oxidation affect elderly people with leprosy. The aim of this work was to verify whether the elderly leprosy patients have higher ROS production and how it can impact the evolution of leprosy.Methodology/Principal findings87 leprosy patients, grouped according to age range and clinical form of leprosy, and 25 healthy volunteers were analyzed. Gene expression analysis of antioxidant and oxidative burst enzymes were performed in whole blood using Biomark’s microfluidic-based qPCR. The same genes were evaluated in skin lesion samples by RT-qPCR. The presence of oxidative damage markers (carbonylated proteins and 4-hydroxynonenal) was analyzed by a DNPH colorimetric assay and immunofluorescence. Carbonylated protein content was significantly higher in elderly compared to young patients. One year after multidrug therapy (MDT) discharge and M. leprae clearance, oxidative damage increased in young L-Lep patients but not in elderly ones. Both elderly T and L-Lep patients present higher 4-HNE in cutaneous lesions than the young, mainly surrounding memory CD8⁺ T cells. Furthermore, young L-Lep demonstrated greater ability to neutralize ROS compared to elderly L-Lep patients, who presented lower gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, mainly glutathione peroxidase.Conclusions/SignificanceWe conclude that elderly patients present exacerbated oxidative damage both in blood and in skin lesions and that age-related changes can be an important factor in leprosy immunopathogenesis. Ultimately, elderly patients could benefit from co-supplementation of antioxidants concomitant to MDT, to avoid worsening of the disease.