Canova medication changes TNF-α and IL-10 serum levels in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain

Objective:To identify whether Canova medication changes TNF-α and IL-10 serum levels in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain.Methods:Animals were divided into five groups:non-treated infected animals(I); benznidazole-treated infected animals(Bz; 100 mg/kg body weight,single daily dose by gavage); Canova medication(CM) treated infected animals(CM;0.2 mL/animal,single daily dose by gavage); benznidazole- and Canova medication–treated infected animals with the above-mentioned dose(Bz+CM);and non-infected animals(C).TNF-α and IL-10 levels were determined in serum aliquots after 4,7,10,13,and 29 days of infection.An ELISA technique was employed with R&D System Inc.antibody pairs.Results:A high increase in TNF-α and IL-10 levels occurred in the infected and CM-treated groups within the treatment employed on the 10 th day after infection,coupled with a IL-10 decrease on the 13 th day after infection when compared with the other experimental groups.Conclusions:CM may change the balance between plasma cytokine levels(TNF-α and IL-10) in mice infected with Y strain T.cruzi,with important consequences leading towards a more severe infection.

Metabolic Syndrome in People with HIV/AIDS

Background: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has changed the clinical picture of HIV infection by reducing morbidity and mortality rates in the population. However, alterations in lipid metabolism leading to hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and redistribution of body fat, which are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, have emerged. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a complex disorder represented by a set of cardiovascular risk factors commonly associated with central adiposity and insulin resistance. Aim: Current paper evaluates the prevalence of MS in patients with HIV/AIDS using HAART from a reference Center in southern Brazil. Methods: Samples comprised patients who had the infection for at least five years and were undergoing antiretroviral therapy. Metabolic syndrome was identified according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (NCEP-ATPIII). A physical examination was performed by evaluating percentage of body fat by bio-impedance and measuring blood pressure, determination of Body Mass Index and Waist-Hip Ratio, glycaemia, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Results: 184 patients were evaluated. MS prevalence was 30% (55 patients), with 30 (16.3%) males and 25 (13.7%) females. Conclusions: Brazil was among the first country profoundly impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic but today, Brazil has less than 1% adult HIV prevalence, implemented treatment and prevention programs early in the epidemic. Whereas there is currently a significant increase in the survival of HIV patients by HAART, the patients reveal a higher prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in this specific population requiring political strategy of care to this population.