title: In vitro immunomodulatory effects of microemulsions with levamisole delivery systems on blood phagocytes interacting with Giardia lamblia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Giardiasis is one of the main parasites that infect the gastrointestinal tract of humans, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Antiparasitics administered to treat giardiasis are inefficient in 20% of the cases, usually because of parasite resistance and side effects. In this scenario, microemulsions are a promising pharmaceutical alternative as carriers of molecules with therapeutic action that stimulate the immune system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study evaluated the effects of a microemulsion delivery system with levamisole hydrochloride on the functional activity of MN phagocytes incubated with G. lamblia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The microemulsion formulated was incorporated with levamisole hydrochloride using distilled water, caprylic/capric triglyceride-Polymol 812®, Sorbitan Oleate-Span 80®, Polysorbate 80 - Tween 80® and 1-butanol. The activity of the microemulsion was analyzed by phagocytosis rate, microbicidal activity, apoptosis rate and intracellular calcium concentration. Phagocytosis rate, microbicidal activity and apoptosis index increased in the microemulsion treatment. The results suggest that the microemulsion improves the therapeutic efficacy of levamisole, increasing the functional activity of phagocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The microemulsion with a levamisole delivery system is therefore an efficient alternative for treating giardiasis, acting as an immunomodulator that probably causes fewer side effects than conventional drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Institute of Biological and Health Science - Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. Electronic address: botoaraguaia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mara Rosa Gil
authors.initials: MRG
authors.lastname: Hernandes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science - Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. Electronic address: luceliaufmt@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lucélia Campelo Albuquerque
authors.initials: LCA
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Science - Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop, MT, Brazil. Electronic address: eltonbr8@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Elton Brito
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science - Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. Electronic address: dannylauragf@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Danny Laura Gomes
authors.initials: DLG
authors.lastname: Fagundes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science - Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. Electronic address: denifran@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Adenilda Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Honorio-França
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science - Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil. Electronic address: dr.eduardo.franca@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Eduardo Luzía
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: França
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007978:Levamisole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010316:Particle Size; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D007978:Levamisole
keywords: Giardia lamblia; Immunomodulation; Levamisole; Microemulsion