Evaluation of photodynamic effect for the treatment of cutaneous Leishmaniasis experimental Hamsters

• Grant number: 11/12808-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: July 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Eduardo Martins Ribolla
• Grantee: Grazielle de Araujo Lourenço Vittorino
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy is a medical modality based on the interaction between light and photosensitizer in the presence of oxygen, thereby causing death cells. When illuminated with the appropriate wavelength interacts with resulting in cellular oxygen reactive species capable of inducing an impracticability of cells, affecting his death. The control biodistribution of the phototherapeutic agent ensures the selectivity of therapy since the dynamic process occurs only in the irradiated area. The treatment of dermatological diseases is by Photodynamic Therapy developing since the late 70's but little explored, possibly due to antimicrobial drug discovery. After a little time use of these drugs as therapeutic agents, we observed resistance of some micro-organisms, a fact that complicates the treatment, making it necessary to develop new therapeutic methods, such as the resumption of studies on photodynamic therapy antimicrobial. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is one of the variants of cutaneous disease frequent in Brazilian regions, mainly in the north and northeast of the country. An infection caused by the protozoan Leishmania major affects skin and mucosa with the development of ulcers. His treatment is basically a few drugs such as antimony and pentamidine, which besides having major side effects are often ineffective due to the acquisition of resistance by the parasite. This study aims to assess the action of the photodynamic effect on the growth in vivo Leismaniase major, using the laser as a source of light.(AU)