Christian L. Herrera

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), is a significant zoonotic disease affecting livestock and public health worldwide, particularly in endemic regions such as La Araucanía, Chile. This study evaluated the role of cattle in the transmission dynamics of E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) by morphologically and molecular characterizing hydatid cysts (HC) collected from cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. A total of 123 cysts were obtained from a local slaughterhouse, with cattle contributing the majority of samples (n = 94). Fertility was highest in sheep (76.2%) and low in cattle (3.2%), while cysts from pigs and goats were infertile. PCR amplification and sequencing of the cox1 gene confirmed the predominance of genotype G1 (98.1%), with two additional haplotypes (Eg^B and Eg^C) identified in cattle and sheep. Two cattle samples harbored genotype G3. Phylogenetic analyses grouped all sequences within the E. granulosus s.s. complex. The results corroborate the role of cattle as important sentinels for environmental surveillance of CE due to their exposure and traceability but highlight their lower competence in parasite transmission to definitive hosts compared with sheep. The genetic diversity observed aligns with previous findings in Chile, underscoring the epidemiological significance of E. granulosus s.s. and genotype G1 in the region.

Several studies have shown that blood vitamin levels are low in alcoholic patients. In effect, alcohol use abuse is considered a chronic disease that promotes the pathogenesis of many fatal diseases, such as cancer and liver cirrhosis. The alcohol effects in the liver can be prevented by antioxidant mechanisms, which induces enzymatic as well as other nonenzymatic pathways. The effectiveness of several antioxidants has been evaluated. However, these studies have been accompanied by uncertainty as mixed results were reported. Thus, the aim of the present review article was to examine the current knowledge on vitamin deficiency and its role in chronic liver disease. Our review found that deficiencies in nutritional vitamins could develop rapidly during chronic liver disease due to diminished hepatic storage and that inadequate vitamins intake and alcohol consumption may interact to deplete vitamin levels. Numerous studies have described that vitamin supplementation could reduce hepatotoxicity. However, further studies with reference to the changes in vitamin status and the nutritional management of chronic liver disease are in demand.

The aim was to characterize the infection by Trichostrongylus spp. in patients from Chile using a combination of molecular detection techniques and phyloge

Uno de los principales factores genéticos que influenciarían el rendimiento muscular humano es el gen ACTN3, que codifica la proteína estructural del sarcómero α-actinina-3. El polimorfismo R577X (rs1815739) del gen ACTN3 ha sido asociado con varios indicadores de rendimiento muscular y físico en deportistas y población general, pero este fenómeno ha sido escasamente descrito en poblaciones de Latinoamérica y Chile. Por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue describir la frecuencia genotípica y distribución alélica de los genotipos de ACTN3 R577X en deportistas universitarios chilenos. 129 deportistas universitarios chilenos representantes de diferentes selecciones deportivas (halterofilia, balonmano, voleibol, rugby, basquetbol, futbol y futsal) participaron como voluntarios. Los análisis moleculares del polimorfismo R577X del gen ACTN3 fueron realizados mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) y restricción enzimática (RFLP). La distribución de genotipos del polimorfismo ACTN3 R577X fue RR: 34,8 % (n=45), RX: 50,4 % (n=65), XX: 14,7 % (n=19), y la frecuencia relativa de alelos fue R: 0,601 y X: 0,399. Además, se encontró asociación entre distribución de genotipos (c2= 12,26; 2 gl; p=0,002) y frecuencia relativa de alelos (c2= 11.02; 1 gl; p=0.0009) con el sexo de los participantes. Sin embargo, no hubo asociación al realizar análisis por tipo de deporte practicado. Los hallazgos de la presente investigación sugieren que el polimorfismo R577X del gen ACTN3 está asociado con el sexo en deportistas universitarios chilenos. Además, estos resultados describen de forma inédita la distribución genotípica y frecuencia alélica de esta variante genética en población chilena, mostrando una distribución similar a otros estudios realizados en poblaciones de deportistas en Brasil, Rusia, Estados Unidos y Turquía. No obstante, también muestra diferencias con otras poblaciones generales y de deportistas.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia. Thus, genetic variants related with these conditions may modulate its development. We evaluated the effect of polymorphisms in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on metabolic syndrome risk in a cohort of Chilean subjects. A total of 152 subjects, 83 with MetS (51.2 ± 9.6 years) and 69 without MetS (49.5 ± 9.3 years) of both genders were included, according to the ATP III update criteria. The rs4340 Insertion/Deletion (I/D), rs699 (T>C) and rs5186 (A>C) of the ACE, AGT and AGTR1 genes, respectively, were genotyped. After adjusting for age and gender, we observed the DD genotype of rs4340 associated with MetS (p = 0.02). Specifically, the DD genotype was associated with MetS risk in women (OR = 4.62, 95%CI, 1.41 - 15.04; p < 0.01). In males, the AA genotype for rs5186 variant was associated with an increased risk for developing MetS when compared with women carrying the same genotype (OR = 3.2; 95%CI, 1.03 - 9.89; p = 0.04). In subjects without MetS, DD genotype was associated with increased waist circumference (p = 0.023) while subjects with MetS carrying the rs5186 TT genotype showed higher levels of HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.031). The present study contributes data highlighting the role for RAS polymorphisms in predisposing to metabolic syndrome in Chilean subjects.

Propolis is a non-toxic natural substance with multiple pharmacological properties including anti-cancer, antioxidant, fungicidal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory among others. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical and botanical characterization of Chilean propolis samples and to evaluate their biological activity against the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. Twenty propolis samples were obtained from beekeeping producers from the central and southern regions of Chile. The botanical profile was determined by palynological analysis. Total phenolic contents were determined using colorimetric assays. Reverse phase HPLC and HPLC-MS were used to determine the chemical composition. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined on S. mutans and S. sobrinus. All propolis samples were dominated by structures from native plant species. The characterization by HPLC/MS, evidenced the presence of quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol, rutine, pinocembrin, coumaric acid, caffeic acid and caffeic acid phenethyl ester, that have already been described in these propolis with conventional HPLC. Although all propolis samples inhibited the mutans streptococci growth, it was observed a wide spectrum of action (MIC 0.90 to 8.22 μg mL(-1)). Given that results it becomes increasingly evident the need of standardization procedures, where we combine both the determination of botanical and the chemical characterization of the extracts. Research conducted to date, describes a promising effectiveness of propolis in the prevention of caries and other diseases of the oral cavity, making it necessary to develop studies to identify and understand the therapeutic targets or mechanisms of molecular action of the various compounds present on them.

Propolis has been used in traditional medicine for many centuries because of its beneficial health properties, including its antimicrobial capacity. Prosthesis stomatitis affects a significant percentage of users of removable dentures; Candida albicans is the most common fungal species associated with the development of this pathology. Thus, the objectives of this study were: a. To evaluate the antifungal activity of six commercial propolis extracts against Candida spp. that was isolated from the oral cavity of removable dentures users, and b. To determine chemical characteristics of the propolis extracts evaluated. Among the results, we note that these concentrations of polyphenols varied between 9 ± 0.3 and 85 ± 2.1 mg mL-1. Chromatographic analysis was able to detect 35 compounds, among which were caffeic acid, myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, pinocembrin, galangin, and caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE). All strains tested were inhibited by the liquid extracts of propolis. The MID ranged between 1:40 and 1:1280, and the MIC for C. albicans ranged from 197 µg mL-1 to 441 µg mL-1. From the results obtained in this investigation, we can conclude that all propolis extracts evaluated are capable of inhibiting the development of Candida spp. However, they show significant differences in the concentration of polyphenols present and in antifungal activity.