Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor that has been widely used to determine the neurotransmission of serotonin in the central nervous system. This substance has emerged as the drug of choice for the treatment of depression due to is safer profile, fewer side effects, and greater tolerability. Studies have found the following important functions of fluoxetine related to the central nervous system: neuroprotection; anti‐inflammatory properties similar to standard drugs for the treatment of inflammatory conditions; antioxidant properties, contributing to its therapeutic action and an important intracellular mechanism underlying the protective pharmacological effects seen in clinical practice in the treatment of different stress‐related adverse health conditions; and antiapoptotic properties, with greater neuron survival and a reduction in apoptosis mediators as well as oxidative substances, such as superoxide dismutase and hydrogen peroxide. The aim of this study was to perform a review of the literature on the important role of fluoxetine in anti‐inflammatory, cell survival, and neuron trophicity mechanisms (antiapoptotic properties) as well as its role regarding enzymes of the antioxidant defense system.

RESUMOOs carrapatos encontrados infestando anfíbios e répteis no Estado de Pernambuco são revisados com base na literatura atual e em novas coletas realizadas recentemente pelos autores. Até o momento, três espécies de carrapatos foram encontradas sobre anfíbios e répteis em Pernambuco. Amblyomma fuscum parece estar exclusivamente associado à Boa constrictor, seu hospedeiro-tipo. Amblyomma rotundatum tem uma especificidade parasitária relativamente baixa, sendo encontrado em sapos, serpentes e iguana. Amblyomma dissimile já foi encontrado sobre um lagarto e também sobre pequenos mamíferos (isto é, roedores e marsupiais). Novas associações carrapato-hospedeiro e novos registros de localidades são apresentados. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Amblyomma, animais de sangue frio, associações parasito-hospedeiro. INTRODUCTIONTicks (Acari: Ixodida) are ectoparasites of great medical and veterinary significance; that is, they can cause severe losses to livestock industry and transmit many pathogens to both humans and domestic animals. Ticks are widely distributed in the world and parasitize an enormous variety of hosts, infesting all classes of vertebrates, from small amphibians and reptiles to large mammals (JONGEJAN; UILENBERG, 2004;ONOFRIO et al., 2006;DANTAS-TORRES;FIGUEREDO;NAVA et al., 2007).The Brazilian tick fauna is currently known to consist of approximately 60 valid species. Most species are in the genus Amblyomma, to which all ticks associated with ectotherms ('coldblooded animals') belong to (ARAGÃO, 1936;ARAGÃO; FON-SECA, 1961;EVANS et al., 2000;GUIMARÃES et al., 2001;TEIXEIRA et al., 2003;ONOFRIO et al., 2006).A limited amount of information about the taxonomy and ecology of ticks infesting ectotherms in the Northeastern region of Brazil is currently available. In the present article, ticks parasitizing amphibians and reptiles in the state of Pernambuco are reviewed based on recent collections of ticks from different hosts and localities, as well as based on a comprehensive review of relevant literature. MATERIAL AND METHODSThe present study is based on recent collections of ticks, from different hosts and localities (Igarassu, 07º50'03" S, 34º54'23" W; Recife, 08º03'14" S, 34º52'52" W; São Lourenço da Mata, 08º00'08" S, 35º01'06" W) in Pernambuco, Amblyomma fuscum appears to be exclusively associated with Boa constrictor, its type host. Amblyomma rotundatum has a relatively low host-specificity, being found on toads, snakes, and iguana. Amblyomma dissimile has been found on a lizard and also small mammals (i.e., rodents and marsupials). New tickhost associations and locality records are given. TICKS INFESTING AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN PERNAMBUCO

The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of progesterone (PF) and estradiol (EF) and the effect of these steroid hormones complexed into cyclodextrins, commercially available drugs, such as micronized progesterone (PM) and transdermal estradiol (ET), and evaluate them as endocrine disruptors through biological parameters of Danio rerio. An acute toxicity test was performed with hormones using D. rerio embryos according to OECD 236 guidelines. The heart rate, mortality, and teratogenic effects were evaluated. In addition, a chronic toxicity test was assayed with adult animals for evaluation of animal behavior, reproductive capacity, and electrophysiological responses of the retina. Analysis of the results of the acute toxicity test with embryos exposed to progestins and estrogens showed that free hormones caused a higher percentage of teratogenic effects such as pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, and spinal deformation. Behavioral evaluation (30-60 days) of adult animals exposed to PM, EF, and ET demonstrated higher frequencies of aggressive behaviors such as Chase away, Persecution, Escape, and Attack. Analysis of reproductive capacity did not show significant differences in the number of viable eggs, and no significant changes were observed in the electrophysiological responses of the retina. According to these results, there is a higher toxicity effect of hormones in the free form when compared to the commercial forms and inclusion complexes. This indicates that complexation into cyclodextrin reduced the toxicity of the hormones according to the parameters studied.

Our results were in accordance with previous studies indicating Staphylococcus sp., followed by Corynebacterium spp. as the most common inhabitant of the eyes of most mammalian species.