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Altogether these data suggest M1 is an efficient candidate for melanoma therapy to be considered for future clinic studies as this study is the first supporting the idea that melanoma patients may benefit with the treatment. The treatment with M1 provides advantages considering the highly-diluted properties and a cost effective alternative to costly chemotherapeutic approaches with, if any, lower toxicity.

A heteropolysaccharide was isolated by cold aqueous extraction from edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii ("King Oyster") basidiocarps and its biological properties were evaluated. Structural assignments were carried out using mono- and bidimensional NMR spectroscopy, monosaccharide composition, and methylation analyses. A mannogalactan having a main chain of (1→6)-linked α-d-galactopyranosyl and 3-O-methyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl residues, both partially substituted at OH-2 by β-d-Manp (MG-Pe) single-unit was found. Biological effects of mannogalactan from P. eryngii (MG-Pe) were tested against murine melanoma cells. MG-Pe was non-cytotoxic, but reduced in vitro melanoma cells invasion. Also, 50mg/kg MG-Pe administration to melanoma-bearing C57BL/6 mice up to 10days decreased in 60% the tumor volume compared to control. Additionally, no changes were observed when biochemical profile, complete blood cells count (CBC), organs, and body weight were analyzed. Mg-Pe was shown to be a promising anti-melanoma molecule capable of switching melanoma cells to a non-invasive phenotype with no toxicity to melanoma-bearing mice.

O Comitê de Ética no Uso de Animais da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, após 10 anos de funcionamento, encontra-se em um estágio de amadurecimento que permite uma reflexão sobre sucessos e vicissitudes, a fim de estabelecer parâmetros para o aprimoramento de suas atividades, guiado pela legislação e apoiado nas diretrizes éticas de uso de animais, cujos princípios de refinamento, diminuição e substituição devem ser incorporados às atividades profissionais e acadêmicas de docentes e discentes para que a universidade alcance o nível de excelência almejado. Assim, o desenvolvimento da pesquisa científica e a formação de profissionais e cidadãos conscientes tornam-se as palavras de ordem nesta empreitada.

To determine the effects of three sessions of a passive stretching exercise protocol on the muscles of elderly female rats. METHODS: The effects of the stretching exercises on the soleus muscle were analyzed using immunohistochemistry [tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP), the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), and the gene expression levels using real-time PCR of the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-b1), collagen type 1 (COL1), and collagen type 3 (COL3)]. Fifteen 26-month-old female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, namely, Stretching (SG, n=8) and Control (CG, n=7). The passive mechanical stretching protocol consisted of a set of 4 1-minute repetitions, with 30 seconds between each repetition (total treatment of 4 minutes), three times a week for 1 week. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increase of 71.4% in the TNF-a (p=0.04) gene expression levels for the SG and a 58% decrease in the TGF-b1 gene expression levels (p=0.005) in the SG compared to that in the CG. No significant differences were observed between the groups for the immunostaining of TIMP-1 or the gene expression levels of COL1 and COL3. CONCLUSION: Three sessions of static stretching reduced the gene expression level of TGF-b1, which, owing to its anti-fibrotic role, might contribute to the remodeling of the intramuscular connective tissue of the aging muscle. In addition, immunostaining revealed that TNF-a levels increased in the aging muscle tissue in response to stretching, indicating its effect on stimulating extracellular matrix degradation. These outcomes have important clinical implications in reinforcing the use of stretching exercises in the elderly, considering that the aging muscle presents an infiltration of connective tissue.