Search

INTRODUÇÃO: A síndrome antifosfolípide (SAF) é uma condição autoimune que apresenta fenômenos trombóticos arteriais e venosos de repetição além de complicações obstétricas. Sua patogênese está associada à presença de anticorpos antifosfolípides e/ou anti-β2 glicoproteína I (β2GPI) que aparentemente modificam o efeito anticoagulante da β2GPI. A dimerização da β2GPI induzida por anticorpos parece estar relacionada à indução da agregação plaquetária contribuindo para o estado trombofílico na SAF. OBJETIVOS: O presente trabalho objetiva demonstrar a influencia dos anticorpos antifosfolípides em testes de agregação plaquetária com diferentes agonistas (ADP, colágeno e adrenalina). MÉTODOS: Foram analisados testes de agregação de plaquetas normais com diferentes agonistas (ADP, colágeno, adrenalina) na presença de soro contendo anticorpos antifosfolípides em diferentes concentrações. RESULTADOS: As análises obtidas mostraram uma inibição significativa (P < 0,05) nas curvas de agregação plaquetária induzidas por ADP e adrenalina quando comparadas ao controle. O paradoxo entre o estado protrombótico e a presença de autoanticorpos que in vitro apresentam atividade anticoagulante foi demonstrado na literatura, dificultando o entendimento patofisiológico da síndrome antifosfolípide. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o soro rico em anticorpos anticardiolipina e anti-β2GPI, ambas da classe IgG, interferem em testes de curvas de agregação plaquetária. Introduction: The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune condition charac terized by recurrent arterial and venous thrombosis, besides obstetric complications. The pathogenesis is associated with the presence of antiphospholipid and/or anti-b2-glicopro-tein I (anti-b2GPI) antibodies that appear to change the anticoagulant activity of b2GPI. Antibody-induced dimerization of b2GPI seems to be related to the induction of platelet aggregation, contributing to the development of thrombosis in APS. Objectives: The objective of the present study is to demonstrate the influence of antiphos-pholipid antibodies in platelet aggregation tests with different agonists (ADP, collagen, and adrenaline). Methods: We analyzed platelet aggregation tests with different agonists (ADP, collagen, adrenalin) when normal platelets were exposed to serum with different concentrations of antiphospholipid antibodies. Results: Results demonstrated a signifi cant inhibition in adrenalin- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation curves (P < 0.05) in all antibody concentrations tested when compared to the control. The paradox between the prothrombotic state and the presence of autoantibodies that show anticoagulant activity in vitro was demonstrated in the literature, making it diffi cult to understand the pathophysiologic mechanism of the antiphospholipid syndrome. Conclusion: Results showed that anticardiolipin and anti-b2GPI antibodies-rich serum, both of which belonging to the IgG class, can interfere with platelet aggregation curves.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is considered a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease and its presence may be related to increased emotional stress. The clinical relevance of OLP is the possibility of developing a squamous cell carcinoma, the etiology of which is still unknown. The aim of this study is to treat OLP lesions resistant to conventional treatment with corticosteroids, using topical tacrolimus 0.1% (Protopic(®)) twice a day for a period of eight weeks. Fifteen patients were selected who had filled out a history form and a visual analog scale for pain before and after treatment. All patients underwent an initial biopsy to diagnose the disease and another at the end of the treatment period to evaluate the effect of the medication on the infiltrate. A weekly check was carried out, observing the clinical appearance, pain symptoms and occurrence of side effects which, where present, were mild and transient. The results showed twelve patients (80%) with total or nearly total remission of pain symptoms and lesions, two patients (13.33%) showed clearer lesions and only one patient (6.67%) had no change in clinical symptoms or pain. Histopathological analysis showed OLP had a moderate or strong regression in twelve patients (80%) and an absent or mild regression in three patients (20%). Based on these results, it was concluded that tacrolimus 0.1% (Protopic(®)) is a safe and effective medication that improves the clinical appearance of the lesion, reduces pain as well as the histopathological features of OLP.

The anti-inflammatory and apoptotic activity of the essential oil of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, Myrtaceae, leaves was investigated in vivo. The antiinflammatory action and chronic granulomatous inflammation in BALB/c mice, intravenously infected with Mycobacterium bovis, BCG, (Bacillo Calmet Guerim), was judged by measuring and classifying the granulomas formed in the hepatic parenchyma. The degree of apoptosis in the inflammatory cells was also measured. A reduction in the granulomatous area and a change in the pattern of the granulomas were found. Anti-mycobacterial activity of the essential oil against M. bovis was detected in vitro by an interferometric method in liquid culture medium. The chemical constituents of the essential oil were determined by GC/MS. Higher yields of the essential oil of S. cumini leaves were obtained by extraction in a Clevenger apparatus when the fresh leaves were previously frozen as a pre-processing step. The essential oil obtained from this plant demonstrated a statistically significant and dramatic effect in the chosen model system. Keywords: anti-inflammatory, granuloma, interferometry ;caryophyllene, Mycobacterium bovis, yzygium cumini

RACIONAL: A depleção nutricional é observada em pacientes com câncer colorretal em estado avançado mesmo com medidas de peso adequadas. Esta perda pode estar associada a fatores de co-morbidades como: redução da imunidade, aumento de infecções, cicatrização prejudicada e fraqueza muscular. Atualmente, dietas imunomoduladoras estão sendo utilizadas na abordagem nutricional de pacientes com câncer. O uso de prebióticos e probióticos ou, a mistura dos dois, os simbióticos, estão entre os estudados. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado nutricional e a atividade inflamatória sistêmica em pacientes com câncer colorretal submetidos à utilização de suplemento simbiótico. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo longitudinal prospectivo com pacientes com câncer colorretal. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação do estado nutricional e subsequente análise sorológica, uso diário do suplemento simbiótico e à avaliação antropométrica e bioquímica a cada três meses. Foram coletados dados antropométricos e exames de sangue para avaliação da proteína C-reativa (PCR), antígeno carcionoembrionário (CEA) e albumina. RESULTADOS: Os índices médio da proteína C-reativa eram de 11 mg/dL no início do estudo, antes da administração do simbiótico, e reduziram-se para valores menores que 6 mg/dL no final do estudo. CONCLUSÃO: A suplementação com o simbiótico foi benéfica, pois, embora tendo os níveis de albumina e CEA mantido-se estáveis, os índices de PCR diminuíram ao longo do estudo. BACKGROUND: Nutritional depletion in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, even with adequate weight, may be associated with co-morbidity factors such as: reduction of immunity, increased rate of infections, impaired cicatrization and muscle weakness. Immunomodulating diets have recently been used as a nutritional approach to cancer patients. Prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics (a mixture of the first two) have been studied. AIM: To assess the Nutritional Status and Systemic Inflammatory Activity of colorectal patients on symbiotic supplementation. It was a progressive longitudinal study in colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: All patients underwent assessment of nutritional status and subsequent serological analysis, daily use of the symbiotic supplement, anthropometric and biochemical assessment every three months Besides anthropometric data, the following blood components were measured: C-reactive protein (CRP), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) and albumin. RESULTS: The mean CRP level at baseline, before symbiotic administration, was 11 mg/dL, with a reduction to below 6 mg/dL at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: There was a beneficial effect of symbiotic supplementation, because although albumin and CEA levels were stable during the study, there was a CRP reduction in meantime.

CONTEXTO: A terapia a laser de baixa intensidade (LLLT) tem sido relatada como importante moduladora da cicatrização de feridas cutâneas aumentando a proliferação fibroblástica associada ao aumento da expressão da citocina fator transformador de crescimento- β2 (TGF-βB2). OBJETIVO: No presente estudo foram avaliados os efeitos da LLLT sobre a expressão da enzima ciclooxigenase 2 (COX2) no sítio do reparo tecidual utilizando o modelo experimental com camundongos diabéticos não obesos (NOD) para estudar a cicatrização de feridas cutâneas. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 30 camundongos NOD, destes 14 ficaram diabéticos e foram divididos em dois grupos: o grupo I (n=7) foi submetido a um procedimento cirúrgico de feridas cutâneas e o grupo II (n=7) foi submetido a um procedimento cirúrgico de feridas cutâneas e tratados com LLLT. O grupo II foi submetido à LLLT nos seguintes parâmetros: 15 mW de potência, dose de 3,8 J/cm² e tempo de aplicação de 20 segundos. Após sete dias do ato cirúrgico e após aplicação do laser, os animais foram eutanasiados com sobredose de anestesia e amostras das feridas foram colhidas para posterior análise histopatológica, histomorfométrica e imuno-histoquímica. RESULTADOS: A LLLT promoveu a inibição da expressão da COX2 em feridas cutâneas de camundongos diabéticos. CONCLUSÃO: Em conjunto, os resultados sugeriram que a LLLT é capaz de modular negativamente a expressão da enzima COX2 contribuindo para o controle da resposta inflamatória em feridas cutâneas de camundongos NOD. BACKGROUND: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been reported to modulate the healing of wounds by inducing an increase in fibroblast number associated with increased expression of the cytokine transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2). OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the effect of LLLT on expression of COX2 at the site of tissue repair was evaluated, using an experimental model with non obese diabetic mice (NOD) to study cutaneous wound healing. METHODS: Thirty NOD mice were used, of which 14 were diabetic and were divided into two groups: group I (n=7) underwent a surgical procedure of skin wounds and group II (n=7) underwent a surgical procedure of skin wounds and treated with LLLT. Group II was submitted to LLLT in the following parameters: 15 mW of power, dose of 3.8 J/cm² and exposure time of 20 seconds. Seven days after surgery and after laser application, animals were euthanized with an overdose of anesthesia and tissue samples were collected for subsequent histological analysis, histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The LLLT has promoted the inhibition of COX2 expression in skin wounds in mice diabetic. Taken together the results suggest that LLLT modulate the expression of COX2 improved the control of inflammatory reaction in cutaneous wound lesions in NOD mice. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results suggested that LLLT is able to negatively modulate the expression of COX2 enzyme contributing to the inflammatory response in cutaneous wounds in NOD mice.

To evaluate the correlation between maternal waist circumference measured before the 12th week of gestation and serum leptin levels during pregnancy, as well as to compare the leptin levels of women with and without abdominal obesity diagnosed in early pregnancy.Prospective study including 40 pregnant women receiving low-risk prenatal care, older than 20 years, nonsmokers, with singleton pregnancies and without chronic disease. Waist circumference was measured before the 12th week and serum leptin levels were measured between the 9th and 12th, 25th and 28th and 34th and 37th weeks of gestation. According to waist circumference measurement, the cohort was divided into two groups: with and without abdominal obesity. The Mann-Whitney and χ(2) tests were used to assess the differences between groups. The Pearson correlation coeffient was used to assess the association between waist circumference and serum leptin levels during pregnancy. The level of significance was set at p0.05.The mean weight and body mass index of patients with abdominal obesity (74.4±11.0 kg/28.9±4.1) was higher than that of patients without abdominal obesity (55.6±5.9 kg/21.1±2.4) (p=0.001). The mean leptin levels in pregnant patients with abdominal obesity (41.9±3.5 ng/mL) was higher than in patients without abdominal obesity (23.6±2.7 ng/mL) (p0.0002). A positive correlation was obtained between the waist circumference measured during the same period and the mean serum leptin levels (r=0.7; p0.0001).Waist circumference measured before the 12th week of pregnancy is a valid and simple method to predict the serum leptin levels throughout pregnancy. Pregnant women with abdominal obesity diagnosed before 12th week have higher mean serum leptin levels during pregnancy than those without abdominal obesity.

Delayed, or type IV, hypersensitivity reactions are a useful model to study the effects of new substances on the immune system. In this study, the experimental model of the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to ovalbumin (OVA) was used to evaluate the immunomodulating effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), which is used as an adjuvant therapy in medicine, dentistry, and physical therapy because of its potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects observed in several studies. The effects of LLLT (λ 780 nm, 0.06 W/cm(2) of radiation, and fluency of 3.8 J/cm(2)) in reaction to ovalbumin in Balb/C mice were examined after the induction phase of the hypersensitivity reaction. The animals treated with azathioprine (AZA), the animals that received a vehicle instead of ovalbumin, and those not immunized served as controls (n = 6 for each group). Footpad thickness measurements and hematoxylin-eosin histopathological exams were performed. Proliferation tests were also performed (spontaneous, in the presence of concanavalin A and ovalbumin) to determine the production in mononuclear cells cultures of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), INF-γ, and IL-10. In the group of animals irradiated with lasers and in the group treated with AZA, footpad thickness measurements were significantly reduced in comparison to the control group (p 0.05). This reduction was accompanied by a very significant reduction in the density of the inflammatory infiltrate and by a significant reduction in the levels of TNF-α, INF-γ, and IL-10. LLLT radiation was shown to have an immunomodulating effect on DTH to OVA in Balb/C mice.

Nutritional depletion in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, even with adequate weight, may be associated with co-morbidity factors such as: reduction of immunity, increased rate of infections, impaired cicatrization and muscle weakness. Immunomodulating diets have recently been used as a nutritional approach to cancer patients. Prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics (a mixture of the first two) have been studied.To assess the Nutritional Status and Systemic Inflammatory Activity of colorectal patients on symbiotic supplementation. It was a progressive longitudinal study in colorectal cancer patients.All patients underwent assessment of nutritional status and subsequent serological analysis, daily use of the symbiotic supplement, anthropometric and biochemical assessment every three months Besides anthropometric data, the following blood components were measured: C-reactive protein (CRP), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) and albumin.The mean CRP level at baseline, before symbiotic administration, was 11 mg/dL, with a reduction to below 6 mg/dL at the end of the study.There was a beneficial effect of symbiotic supplementation, because although albumin and CEA levels were stable during the study, there was a CRP reduction in meantime.

A wide spectrum of oral lesions has been associated with human immunodeficiency viral infection (HIV), or AIDS. This report describes the case of an HIV-infected patient who developed a case of disseminated sporotrichosis whose first clinical sign was the presence of orofacial lesions. A histopathological study of this patient's biopsy specimens taken from the oropharyngeal lesions revealed a number of rounded and/or oval free-spore forms of Sporothrix schenkii, the identification of which was corroborated by culturing skin lesion exudate on Sabouraud's glucose agar. To the best of our knowledge to date, this is the first time a case of the oral manifestation of sporotrichosis in association with HIV infection has been described in the dental literature.

Background Gingival overgrowth (GO) is a common side effect of the chronic use of cyclosporine (CsA), an immunosuppressant widely used to prevent rejection in transplant patients. Recent studies have reported elevated levels of specific cytokines in gingival overgrowth tissue, particularly TGF-beta, suggesting that this growth factor plays a role in the accumulation of extracellular matrix materials. The effectiveness of azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, in the regression of this undesirable side effect has also been demonstrated. Methods In this study, we created an experimental model for assessing the therapeutic effect of roxithromycin in GO and the expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta2) through immunohistochemistry. We used four groups of rats totaling 32 individuals. GO was induced during five weeks and drug treatment was given on the 6th week as follows: group 1 received saline; group 2 received CsA and was treated with saline on the 6th week; group 3 received CsA and, on the 6th week, ampicilin; and group 4 received CsA during 5 weeks and, on the 6th week, was treated with roxithromycin. Results The results demonstrated that roxithromycin treatment was effective in reducing cyclosporine-induced GO in rats. Both epithelial and connective tissue showed a decrease in thickness and a significant reduction in TGF-beta2 expression, with a lower number of fibroblasts, reduction in fibrotic areas and decrease in inflammatory infiltrate. Conclusion The present data suggest that the down-regulation of TGF-beta2 expression may be an important mechanism of action by which roxithromycin inhibits GO.

Background Autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats is a classical experimental model of demyelinating inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. EAE is widely accepted for study of immune-inflammatory mechanisms in the CNS related to multiple sclerosis (MS) due to similar clinical evolution. Objectives In the present study we investigated the effects of Thalidomide and pentoxifylline during EAE development in Lewis rats. Methods EAE was induced in Lewis rats and treatment with Thalidomide or pentoxifylline was performed. Clinical evaluation was carried out daily. Histopathological analysis of the brain tissue and spinal cord was performed. Griess method was used for determination of NO serum levels. TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma serum levels were investigated using ELISA method. Results Thalidomide and pentoxifylline treatment is associated with significant reduction of neuroinflammation in CNS. Serum levels of NO, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha showed a marked reduction. Such findings were correlated with improvement of clinical symptoms, particularly in thalidomide treated rats. Conclusions Taken together the data suggested that thalidomide and pentoxifylline may be therapeutic options for the treatment of MS, however further experiments must be performed to investigate this hypothesis.

Background Squamous cells carcinoma is the most important malignant tumor with primary site in the oral cavity and, given the great exposure of mucosa and lips to the etiologic factors of this neoplasm, its incidence is high. Investigation of the prognostic determinants is significant for the expectations of treatment proposal and cure of the patient. The local immune response represented by peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate is a possible prognostic factor. Methods In this study, oral mucosa samples of squamous cells carcinoma were analyzed, separated according to their histological classification as well as the phenotypical profile of the cells comprising the peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate was investigated by immunohistochemical method, in addiction, the cell proliferation index via protein Ki67 expression was determinated. Results The T lymphocytes made up most of this inflammatory infiltrate, and among these cells, there was a predominance of T CD8 lymphocytes relative to the T CD4 lymphocytes. The B lymhocytes were the second most visualized leucocyte cell type followed by macrophages and neutrophils. The immunohistochemical assessment of Ki-67 positive cells revealed a greater expression of this protein in samples of undifferentiated squamous cells carcinoma. Conclusion The results suggest that the cellular immune response is the main defense mechanism in squamous cells carcinoma of oral mucosa, expressed by the large number of T lymphocytes and macrophages, and that the greatest intensity of local response may be associated with the best prognosis.

Methods Twenty-seven teenagers with asthma detected through the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire answered the ISAAC rhinitis module and underwent spirometry, FeNO measurement and evaluation of QOL through Peadiatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). Student t test and Kolmogorov – Smirnov test were applied for means comparison; association measures were performed through Pearson and Spearman correlation tests; a p-value

FUNDAMENTOS: Ao longo dos anos, diversos estudos têm sido realizados para compreender o processo de reparo tecidual, bem como os possíveis efeitos da terapia a laser no processo de cicatrização de feridas. OBJETIVOS: Investigar o comportamento de feridas cutâneas provocadas na região dorsal de ratos Wistar (Rattus norvegicus), que foram submetidos ao tratamento com laser de baixa intensidade, com 3,8 J/cm² de dosagem, 15mW de potência e tempo de aplicação de 15s. MÉTODOS: Os animais (n = 12) foram divididos em dois grupos, um controle e outro tratado com laser. Foram realizadas, no grupo tratado, três aplicações (imediatamente após o ato cirúrgico, 48 horas e sete dias após a realização das feridas cirúrgicas). Dez dias após o ato cirúrgico foram colhidas amostras das lesões de ambos os grupos para realização de estudo histopatológico e histomorfométrico. RESULTADOS: Foram evidenciados aumentos da neovascularização e da proliferação fibroblástica, e diminuição da quantidade de infiltrado inflamatório nas lesões cirúrgicas submetidas à terapia com laser. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados em conjunto sugerem que a terapia a laser de baixa intensidade é um método eficaz no processo de modulação da reparação tecidual, contribuindo significativamente para a cicatrização tecidual mais rápida e organizada. BACKGROUND: Several studies have been performed to understand the tissue repair process as well as the possible effects of laser therapy in wound healing. OBJECTIVES: To study the behavior of skin wounds induced in the dorsal region of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), which were submitted to the low-intensity laser therapy at 3.8 J/cm² dosage, 15mW potency, during 15 seconds. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The animals (n=12) were divided into two groups - control and laser-treated. The latter comprised three applications (immediately after surgery, 48 hours and 7 days after induction of surgical wounds). Ten days after surgery samples of the wounds were collected and submitted to histopathological and histomorphometric studies. RESULTS: Neovascularization, fibroblast proliferation and reduced inflammatory infiltrate in surgical wound submitted to laser therapy were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results suggest that low-intensity laser therapy is an effective method to modulate tissue repair, thus significantly contributing to a faster and more organized healing process.

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is associated with the regulation of the life cell cycle of leukocytes in healthy and diseased states.In the present study, we investigated the presence of apoptosis of mononuclear inflammatory cells in the periodontal lesion from adult periodontitis in healthy control patients and AIDS patients.Tissue samples adjacent to a 5-6 mm gingival sulcus, measured with a periodontal probe, were obtained during routine periodontal surgical procedures. The direct immuno-peroxidase of digoxigenin-labeled genomic DNA method was used for in situ detection of apoptosis in gingival tissues.Many tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha)-positive cells, detected by immunohistochemistry method, were observed in gingival samples of both groups of patients. In addition, a significant lower number ( p0.05) of mononuclear apoptotic cells were observed in AIDS patients when compared with healthy control patients.These data suggested an important role of the apoptosis of mononuclear cells in the pathogenesis of chronic adult periodontitis in AIDS patients.

Methods The experimental design was approved by the Ethics Committee of Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP)No.092/2012. Groups of female BALB/c mice (8 weeks old; 24.53±0.31g) were divided randomly in to five experimental groups as follows: Control group (CG) remained to air room; PBS group received aluminum hydroxide in phosphate buffered saline (PBS); OVA group (OVA) received ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide in PBS; O2 group (O2) was exposed to 100% oxygen in a chamber for 24h; OVA+O2 group (OVA+O2) was exposed to 100% oxygen for 24h, received ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide in PBS. The data were presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. For continuous data, we used a One-Way Anova followed by the Student–Newman–Keuls post hoc test. For non-continuous data, we used the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by the Dunn’s post hoc test. In all instances, the significance level was set at 5% (p

It is shown that bacterial activity, even of slowly growing species, can be detected by precise interferometric measurements of refractive index changes of the culture medium. The bacteria-containing sample is kept in an isothermal block together with a reference liquid without bacteria. The biological activity is obtained from the difference of the index changes of these samples. Experiments were performed with Bacilo Calmette-Guerin. The order of magnitude of the observed total refractive index change was compatible with theoretical estimates based on the amount of available oxygen. An unexpected positive index change during the lag phase was observed, which might permit fast diagnostics in medical applications. This technique may provide cheap and quick tests of bacterial susceptibility with respect to antibiotics.

Injection of an Ascaris suum extract (Asc) affects both the humoral and cellular immune responses to unrelated antigens when it is co-administered with these antigens. In the present study we evaluated the effect of Asc on macrophage activation in the early phase of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Pasteur strain TMCC 1173) infection in C57Bl/6 mice. C57Bl/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with 0.1 mg BCG (BCG group) or BCG plus 1 mg Asc (BCG + Asc group). The peritoneal exudates were obtained at 2, 7 and 14 days after infection. The numbers of IFN-gamma-secreting cells were assessed by the ELISPOT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by the Griess method and by the evaluation of NADPH diaphorase activity in the peritoneal exudates. The administration of Asc extract increased NADPH diaphorase activity (2 days: control = 0, BCG = 7%, BCG + Asc = 13%, and Asc = 4%; 7 days: control = 4, BCG = 13%, BCG + Asc = 21%, and Asc = 4.5%) and TNF-alpha levels (mean +/- SD; 2 days: control = 0, BCG = 169 +/- 13, BCG + Asc = 202 +/- 37, and Asc = 0; 7 days: control = 0, BCG = 545 +/- 15.5, BCG + Asc = 2206 +/- 160.6, and Asc = 126 +/- 26; 14 days: control = 10 +/- 1.45, BCG = 9 +/- 1.15, BCG + Asc = 126 +/- 18, and Asc = 880 +/- 47.67 pg/ml) in the early phase of BCG infection. Low levels of NO production were detected at 2 and 7 days after BCG infection, increasing at 14 days (mean +/- SD; 2 days: control = 0, BCG = 3.7 +/- 1.59, BCG + Asc = 0.82 +/- 0.005, Asc = 0.48 +/- 0.33; 7 days: control = 0, BCG = 2.78 +/- 1.54, BCG + Asc = 3.07 +/- 1.05, Asc = 0; 14 days: control = 0, BCG = 9.05 +/- 0.53, BCG + Asc = 9.61 +/- 0.81, Asc = 10.5 +/- 0.2 (2 x 10(6)) cells/ml). Furthermore, we also observed that Asc co-injection induced a decrease of BCG-colony-forming units (CFU) in the spleens of BCG-infected mice during the first week of infection (mean +/- SD; 2 days: BCG = 1.13 +/- 0.07 and BCG + Asc = 0.798 +/- 0.305; 7 days: BCG = 1.375 +/- 0. 194 and BCG + Asc = 0.548 +/- 0.0226; 14 days: BCG = 0.473 +/- 0.184 and BCG + Asc = 0.675 +/- 0.065 (x 10(2)) CFU). The present data suggest that Asc induces the enhancement of the immune response in the early phase of BCG infection.