Background:
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin disease. It affects skin and joints, characterized by abnormal hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. The worldwide prevalence of psoriasis ...ranges from 2% to 4%. Environmental factors as smoking, alcohol consumption obesity can also work as triggers. During the inflammatory process, there is an exacerbated formation of free radicals and antioxidants are required to maintain redox balance.
Aim:
Assess antioxidant profiles.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted between August/2012 and March/2014. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and biochemical measurements, dietary intake, serum lycopene and α-tocopherol, psoriasis severity according to Psoriasis Area and Severity Index were obtained. Comparisons between serum lycopene and α-tocopherol distributions according to variables were conducted using a one-way analysis of variance. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate factors associated with serum antioxidants.
Results:
81 participants (56% female, 62% non-white), 34% without psoriatic lesions, 51% diagnosed with mild psoriasis, and 15% with moderate psoriasis. Median (IQR) age of 54 (41, 62) years, 10 (4, 11) years of education, 17% smokers, 46% overweight and 25% obesity. In total, 72% did not reach the daily recommendation of fruit and vegetable intake. Serum lycopene and α-tocopherol were 0.2 (0.1–0.3) µmol/L and 22.5 (18.5–25.6) µmol/L, respectively. Only 14% presented adequate concentration of lycopene, but adequate α-tocopherol level was observed among 88%.
Conclusions:
Patients reported a diet low in vegetables and fruits and rich in ultra-processed foods and fatty acids. Adequate circulating α-tocopherol but low serum lycopene, was observed among patients. A linear trend was observed for lycopene according to the severity of psoriasis.
A new series of 3,6‐disubstituted 2‐(methylthio)‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐4‐ols displaying methyl, phenyl, aryl, and heteroaryl groups at the 6‐position; and methyl, ethyl, allyl, and ...phenyl groups at the 3‐position of the dihydropyrimidine ring, were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Seven compounds showed activity with IC50 values in the lower micromolar range. The compound 4‐trifluoromethyl‐6‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐3‐methyl‐2‐methylthio‐3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐4‐ol (6e) had the best inhibitory activity (IC50 2.2 ± 0.9 μm) and this inhibition was characterized as competitive. The molecular docking study showed that the acetylcholinesterase enzyme accommodates compound 6e in its catalytic site. The enantiomers of compound 6e, present similar interactions: π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic ring of the ligand's 4‐fluorophenyl moiety and the aromatic rings of the electron‐rich Trp84; and H‐bonds between the hydroxyl group of Tyr121 and the hydroxyl moiety from 6e. The antioxidant effect of the dihydropyrimidin‐4‐ols was also investigated.
A series of 3,6‐disubstituted 2‐(methylthio)‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐4‐ols derivatives were synthesized and screened for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. Many of the new compounds were capable to inhibit the AChE, among them, compound 6e was identified to be the most potent (IC50 = 2.2 ± 0.9 µm, in vitro), and its inhibition was characterized as competitive. The molecular docking study showed that the compound 6e accommodates in the catalytic site of AChE enzyme. In addition, some dihydropyrimidin‐4‐ols exhibited significant antioxidant effect.
Anthropogenic activities increase pesticide contamination and biological invasions in freshwater ecosystems. Understanding their combined effects on community structure and on ecosystem functioning ...presents challenges for an improved ecological risk assessment. This study focuses on an artificial stream mesocosms experiment testing for direct and indirect effects of insecticide (chlorantraniliprole – CAP) exposure on the structure of a benthic macroinvertebrate freshwater community and on ecosystem functioning (leaf decomposition, primary production). To understand how predator identity and resource quality alter the community responses to chemical stress, the mediating effects of an invasive predator species (crayfish Procambarus clarkii) and detritus quality (tested by using leaves of the invasive Eucalyptus globulus) on insecticide toxicity were also investigated. Low concentrations of CAP reduced the abundance of shredders and grazers, decreasing leaf decomposition and increasing primary production. Replacement of autochthonous predators and leaf litter by invasive species decreased macroinvertebrate survival, reduced leaf decomposition, and enhanced primary production. Structural equation modeling (SEM) highlighted that CAP toxicity to macroinvertebrates was mediated by the presence of crayfish or eucalypt leaf litter which are now common in many Mediterranean freshwaters. In summary, our results demonstrate that the presence of these two invasive species alters the effects of insecticide exposure on benthic freshwater communities. The approach used here also allowed for a mechanistic evaluation of indirect effects of these stressors and of their interaction on ecosystem functional endpoint, emphasizing the value of incorporating biotic stressors in ecotoxicological experiments.