BackgroundEndometriosis is a chronic condition whose pathophysiology is unknown, but there is evidence suggesting a link with oxidative stress. Paraoxonase is a serum enzyme which circulates associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It acts protecting HDL and LDL of lipid peroxidation. We aimed to compare the serum levels of PON-1 activity in women with endometriosis in different stages of the disease (minimal/mild and moderate/severe).Methods80 infertile women with endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy/laparotomy with histologic confirmation of the disease were divided according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification in minimal/mild (n = 33) and moderate/severe (n = 47) cases. Paraoxonase activity and arilesterase activity were measured by spectrophotometry. Body mass index and fasting glucose levels were also determined.ResultsThe paraoxonase activity were 191.29 ± 22.41 U/l in women with minimal/mild endometriosis and 224.85 ± 21.50 U/l in women with moderate/severe disease (P = 0.274). Considering arilesterase level, the results showed 89.82 ± 4.61 U/l in women with minimal/mild endometriosis and 90.78 ± 3.43 U/l in moderate/severe disease (P = 0.888).ConclusionsEvidence of lower paraoxonase activity in women with endometriosis was not found in this study. Besides, no difference was found considering minimal/mild or moderate/severe endometriosis.
Malaria is a disease that hits the northern part of Brazil in an endemic form. Recorded cases outside this region are unusual and, in most cases, limited to travellers. The southeast of Brazil has an extensive wilderness area with a type of vegetation similar to the one found in the equatorial rainforest. We present the case of a patient living in the southeast, with no reported travel history, who evolved to periodic fever, associated with myalgia and chills. With the positive test result forPlasmodium, the treatment for malaria was started. This case enabled the study in the Anopheles mosquito affected area, where the patient reported infection, outside the Amazon region.
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