Sex-specific effects of Eugenia punicifolia extract on gastric ulcer healing in rats

AIM To evaluate the sex-specific effects of a hydroalcoholic extract from Eugenia punicifolia(HEEP) leaves on gastric ulcer healing.METHODS In this rat study involving males, intact(cycling) females, and ovariectomized females, gastric ulcers were induced using acetic acid. A vehicle, lansoprazole, or HEEP was administered for 14 d after ulcer induction. Body weight was monitored throughout the treatment period. At the end of treatment, the rats were euthanized and the following in vivo and in vitro investigations were performed: macroscopic examination of the lesion area and organ weights, biochemical analysis, zymography, and evaluation of protein expression levels. Additionally, the concentration-dependent effect of HEEP was evaluated in terms of subacute toxicity and cytotoxicity.RESULTS Compared to the vehicle, HEEP demonstrated a great healing capacity by substantially reducing the ulcerative lesion area in males(52.44%), intact females(85.22%), and ovariectomized females(65.47%), confirming that HEEP accelerates the healing of acetic acidinduced gastric lesions and suggesting that this effect is modulated by female sex hormones. The antiulcer effect of HEEP was mediated by prostaglandin E2 only in male rats. Overall, the beneficial effect of HEEP was the highest in intact females. Notably, HEEP promoted the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(intact vs ovariectomized females) and decreased the expression of Caspase-8 and Bcl-2(intact female vs male or ovariectomized female). Additionally, HEEP enhanced fibroblast proliferation and migration into a wounded area in vitro, confirming its healing effect. Finally, no sign of subacute toxicity or cytotoxicity of HEEP was observed.CONCLUSION In gastric ulcers, HEEP-induced healing(modulated by female sex hormones; in males, mediated by prostaglandin) involves extracellular matrix remodeling, with gastric mucosa cell proliferation and migration.

Antimicrobial Resistance of Microorganisms Causing Pneumonia in Patients of a Public Hospital in Brazilian Pre-Amazon Region

Nosocomial infections have been common in health services in Brazil.Among them,pneumonia is very highlighted due to the comorbidity that usually affects intensive treatment unit(ITU)patients,and due to the need for endotracheal intubation.The aim of this study was to determine the resistance profile of bacteria isolated from ITU patients with pneumonia in a public hospital in S?o Luis,an important city in the Brazilian pre-Amazon region.Bacteria strains were obtained from tracheal aspiration and collected for diagnosis as well for phenotypic characterization.Standards culture media,such as blood and MacConkey agar,were used to isolate clinical strains.Automatized Vitek 2 method was used to identify strains and disc diffusion method(Kirby-Bauer)was performed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile.During study,eighty-eight patients were diagnosed with pneumonia,caused by more than 20 different bacteria.Among them,P.aeruginosa(28%),Acinetobacter baumannii(20%),Coagulase-negative Staphylococci(19%),Staphylococcus aureus(8%)and Klebsiella pneumoniae(7%)were the most prevalent microorganisms.Regarding to the resistance,antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that majority of Gram-negative bacteria presented resistance to ampicillin.In Gram-positive bacteria there was a high resistance to ampicillin,penicillin,ciprofloxacin,clindamycin and erythromycin.This study showed a high prevalence of bacteria resistance in ITU patients in a public hospital.Although P.aeruginosa was the most frequent pathogen,it was possible to find other pathogens that were not recurrent,such as Enterobacter spp.,Proteus mirabilis and Providencia stuartii.Regarding antimicrobials,the results showed a high resistance to several antimicrobials.