Cryptococcus gattii is one of the main causative agents of cryptococcosis in immunocompetent individuals. Treatment of the infection is based on the use of antimycotics, however, the toxicity of these drugs and the increase of drug-resistant strains have driven the search for more effective and less toxic therapies for cryptococcosis. pCramoll are isolectins purified from seeds of Cratylia mollis, a native forage plant from Brazil, which has become a versatile tool for biomedical application. We evaluated the effect of pCramoll alone and in combination with fluconazole for the treatment of mice infected with C. gatti. pCramoll alone or in combination with fluconazole increased the survival, reduced the morbidity and improved mice behavior i.e., neuropsychiatric state, motor behavior, autonomic function, muscle tone and strength and reflex/sensory function. These results were associated with (i) decreased pulmonary and cerebral fungal burden and (ii) increased inflammatory infiltrate and modulatory of IFNγ, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A cytokines in mice treated with pCramoll. Indeed, bone marrow-derived macrophages pulsed with pCramoll had increased ability to engulf C. gattii, with an enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and decrease of intracellular fungal proliferation. These findings point toward the use of pCramoll in combination with fluconazole as a viable, alternative therapy for cryptococcosis management.

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Background To investigate the effect of nicergoline on the rate of complete corneal ulcer reepithelialization (CCUR) in diabetic rats with diabetic keratopathy. Methods Forty-eight streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (n = 24) received nicergoline (10 mg.kg− 1.day− 1), while the control group (n = 24) received a placebo. A corneal epithelial defect was induced using a corneal diamond burr, and defect area was compared at time points of 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after the injury using image analysis software. The probability of CCUR within 72 h was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis log-rank test. Results When compared, 4 of the 24 rats (17%) in the placebo group and 12 of the 24 rats (50%) in the nicergoline group were found to have CCUR within 72 h (log-rank = 0.027). Cox regression analysis found no effect of the covariates blood glucose (P = 0.601) or weight (P = 0.322) on the corneal reepithelialization (survival) curve. Conclusions Nicergoline increased wound healing rates relative to placebo and may therefore be investigated as a treatment option in diabetic keratopathy.

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Nossa missão é a difusão do conhecimento gerado no âmbito acadêmico por meio da organização e da publicação de livros digitais de fácil acesso, de baixo custo financeiro e de alta qualidade! Nossa inspiração é acreditar que a ampla divulgação do conhecimento científico pode mudar para melhor o mundo em que vivemos! Equipe RFB EditoraCatalogação na publicação Elaborada por Bibliotecária Janaina Ramos -CRB-8/9166