Toxoplasmosis results in systemic disease, and if the mother is infected for the first time during gestation, the fetus may suffer substantial damage. Relatively little is known about the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy in most states of northeastern Brazil. Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant woman was studied in Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte State, in northeastern Brazil, from March to December 2007. The sera were tested for IgM and avidity of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma by a microparticle enzyme immunoassay. The overall seroprevalence was high [126/190 (66.3%)]; prevalence increased with age indicating that in this setting most infections occur in adulthood (third decade of life). Only one pregnant woman was IgM positive and had high-avidity antibodies. The high percentage of pregnant women who are vulnerable to this parasite (33.1%) favors primary infection during pregnancy. Our studies show that direct contact with cats or dogs was highly associated with toxoplasmosis (odds ratio 2.72, P<0.001, 95% CI 1.46-5.02). The number of years in school (P<0.001), precarious socioeconomic status and limited knowledge about the disease (P

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The A. muricata hydroalcoholic extract negatively influenced the uptake of 99mTc-DMSA in bladder, kidney and blood of rats.

%ATI occurred in MQ group:bladder (0.75±0.07to0.26±0.05), stout bowel (2.13±0.34to0.66±0.19), pancreas (0.87±0.24to0.28±0.18), kidneys (7.00±1.52to3.46±0.62), brain (0.27±0.08to 0.05±0.01) and also in AM group:bladder (0.75±0.07to0.30±0.05), stout bowel (2.13±0.34to0.36±0.08), muscle (2.04±0.39to0.26±0.06), pancreas (0.87±0.24to0.46±0.12) and kidneys (7.00±1.52to4.35±0.28). These results could be associated to biological effects of antimalarial drugs.

PURPOSE: Aloe vera is a tropical plant popularly known in Brazil as babosa. We have investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Aloe vera on the biodistribution of Na99mTcO4 and laboratorial parameters in Wistar rats. METHODS: Twelve animals were divided into treated and control groups. In the treated group, Aloe vera was given by gavage (5mg/mL/day) during 10 days. The control group received sorbitol by the same way and period. One hour after the last dose, we injected 0.1mL of Na99mTcO4 by orbital plexus. After 60 min, all the animals were killed. Samples were harvested from the brain, liver, heart, muscle, pancreas, stomach, femur, kidneys, blood, testis and thyroid and the percentage of radioactivity (%ATI/g) was determined. Biochemical dosages were performed. RESULTS: There was a significant increase of %ATI/g in blood, femur, kidneys, liver, stomach, testis and thyroid and also in blood levels of AST and ALT. A significant decrease in levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and urea occurred. The statistical analyses were performed by Mann-Whitney test and T-Student test (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of Aloe vera facilitated the uptake of Na99mTcO4 in organs of rats and it was responsible to a high increase of levels of AST and ALT.

(ovaries, uterus, vagina, breasts, large intestine and liver

Objective: Propolis is a bee product useful natural substance applied in medicine. We have investigated the effect of propolis extract on biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na 99m TcO 4) and laboratorial parameters in rats. Methods: It was administered, by gavage, 1.0ml/day of propolis into 10 rats (treated group) during 10 days and 1.0 ml/day of saline solution into other 10 rats (control group), by the same via and period. On the 10 th day, after 60min, all the animals received 0.1ml of Na 99m TcO 4 by ocular via. 50% of each group of rats was killed after 10min and other 50%, after 30min. Samples of brain, stomach, small bowel, liver, kidneys, thyroid and lungs were isolated and the %ATI/g of each organ was calculated. Tissue samples were taken from all the organs and stained by HE and PAS. Data were compared by Mann-Whitney and Student's t-tests (p<0.05). Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the %ATI/g, from control to treated group, respectively, in small bowel (0.15±0.01 to 0.32±0.09, after 10min and 0.32±0.03 to 0.42±0.02, after 30min) and blood (0.22±0.01 to 0.48±0.02, after10min and 0.38±0.02 to 0.51±0.04, after 30min).Conclusion: Propolis extract facilitated the uptake of Na 99m TcO 4 in some organs of rats and increased levels of some laboratorial parameters.

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