Khalas date flavonoids inhibited cell viability, induced apoptosis and expression of the pro-autophagy LC3-B gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2).

Autophagy is a protective mechanism important in human diseases as cancer. We evaluated the impact of khalas date extract (KDE) (20-60 mg/mL) on cell viability, morphological changes, DNA fragmentation and gene expression of LC3B-II associated with autophagosome on HepG2 cell line. The GC/MS identification of KDE showed its high content of flavonoids including quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol and catechol. KDE reduced cell viability of HepG2 with IC50 (31.52 mg/mL). Cells treated with KDE showed two band of DNA fragments at (30 and 40 mg) indicating that KDE induced DNA damage and apoptosis in HepG2. The analysis RT-PCR data showed a 0.2-fold increase in the expression of LC3-B in the cells treated with KDE versus control. We concluded that, KDE flavonoids such as quercetin, myricetin kaempferol exhibited anticancer properties manifested by inhibition of HepG2 cell viability and induction of apoptosis and upregulation of the pro-autophagy LC3-B gene.

Olive leaf (Olea europaea L. folium) extract influences liver microsomal detoxifying enzymes in rats orally exposed to 2-amino-l-methyI-6-phenyI-imidazo pyridine (PhIP).

Olive tree (Olea europaea, Oleaceae) leaf extract (OLE) exerts many biological activities. One of the most common polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that pollute the environment is 2-amino-l-methyI-6-phenyI-imidazo pyridine (PhIP). It is a food-derived carcinogen that is present in fish and meat that has been cooked at high temperatures. Due to the generation of reactive electrophilic species, phase I enzymes have the potential to cause oxidative damage. In order to safely remove these reactive species from the body, phase II detoxification (conjugation) enzymes are necessary. It is not known whether OLE could influence their activities and hence reduce the carcinogenic effects of PhIP. This study evaluated whether OLE could modulate phase I detoxifying enzymes as well as phase II enzymes that metabolize PhIP in rat liver microsomes. Four groups of rats were used: group I: no treatment; group II: OLE (10 mg/kg bw orally); group III: PhIP (0.1 mg/kg bw orally); and group IV: PhIP followed by OLE. After 4 weeks, the activities of phase I enzymes such as CYP1A1 (ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase), CYP2E1 (p-nitrophenol hydroxylase), CYP1A2 (methoxyresorufin O-demethylase), UDP-glucuronyl transferase, sulphotransferase, and glutathione-S transferase were evaluated in rat liver microsomes. Analysis of OLE by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed various active ingredients in OLE, including 3,5-Heptadienal (C10H14O), 3,4-dimethoxy benzoic acid (C8H10O3), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy (C8H8O4), 1,3,5-Benzenetriol (C6H6O3), hexadecanoic acid (C16H32O2), and hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester (C18H36O2). Our results showed that rats given PhIP were found to have a statistically significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the activities of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP2E1 in comparison with the control group. However, treatment with OLE enhanced their activities but not to a normal level compared with untreated groups. Administration of PhIP decreased the activities of phase II enzymes (glutathione S-transferase, UDP-glucuronyltransferase, or sulphotransferase) (p < 0.01) in comparison with the control group. Histological examination of rat livers was consistent with the biochemical changes. The administration of OLE improved the phase II enzyme activities in animals injected with PhIP. We conclude that OLE influences phase I and phase II detoxification enzymes exposed to PhIP, which may represent a new approach to attenuating carcinogenesis induced by it.

Sensitivity, specificity of biochemical markers for early prediction of endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerotic obese subjects.

Background: The obesity increased incidence of diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis and rate of morbidity and mortality. The main cause of atherosclerosis is endothelial dysfunction and formation of foam cells and macrophage that lead to unfavorable complications. This study evaluated specific biomarkers for endothelial dysfunction as sensitive indices for early predication of atherosclerosis in obese subjects. Study Design: One hundred fifty male age and sex matching were included in the current study divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI): Control (BMI ≤ 22), obese (BMI> 28) and obese with atherosclerosis (BMI> 28). Fasting serum was subjected for determination of adhesion molecules, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, E-selectin, oxo-LDL and 8-iso-PGF2α by ELISA technique. Results: Data obtained showed that, a significant elevation of serum inflammatory markers CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α and adhesion molecules sICAM-1 (p<0.001) with sensitivity 96%, sVCAM-1 (p <0.01) with sensitivity 92%, E-selectin (p<0.001) with sensitivity 94%, oxo-LDL (p <0.05) and 8-iso-PGF2α (p < 0.001) with sensitivity 97% in obese with atherosclerosis compared with obese and control. Conclusion: The levels of serum adhesion molecules contributed in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction can be used as sensitive biomarkers for early prediction of atherosclerosis in obese subjects.

Ajwa date flavonoids mitigate neutrophil migration and interferon-γ-induced renal injury by ultraviolet C radiation in rats.

Date was considered a high nutritional value fruit due to its high content of active ingredients. Frequent exposure to cosmetic radiations including UVC caused deleterious effects and tissue damage and organ affection. This study investigated the efficacy of Ajwa date extract (ADE) in protection against UVC-induced kidney injury in rats. Five groups of rats were included in this study. Group I: Rats were exposed to UVC radiation at a dose 5 kJ (1 h/day) for 28 days. Group II: Rats were pretreated orally with ADE (10 mg/kg/day) 1 h before exposure to UVC radiation with dose 5 kJ. Group III: Rats were pretreated with ADE (15 mg/kg) 1 h before exposure to UVC radiation. Group IV: Rats were exposed to UVC radiation then treated with ADE (10 mg/kg). Group V: Rats exposed to UV radiation then treated with ADE (15 mg/kg) after 1 h from exposure. Analyzing the active constituents of ADE by GC/MS showed that, quercetin, myricetin kaempferol, thymine, and catechol are the most active ingredients. Biochemical markers obtained showed that, serum 8-oxoguanine as marker for DNA damage was increased, and total antioxidant activity and glutathione reduced were decreased (p < 0.01), while neutrophil (p < 0.001), conjugated diene (p < 0.05), and interferon-γ (p < 0.01) were increased after exposure to UVC. However, all the parameters changed were reversed by ADE-treated rats compared with untreated; the higher dose was more effective and protective effect was better than treated effect. Kidney total proteins and reduced glutathione and procollagen levels were decreased while malondialdehyde was increased after exposure to UVC (p < 0.01). These abnormalities were normalized by ADE treatment and protected. It was concluded that, flavonoids from Ajwa extract protected against deleterious effects of UVC by enhancing antioxidant activities and reducing infiltration of neutrophils that caused kidney injury.

Ruthana date extract inhibited proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells by modulation of BAX gene.

Cancer response to chemotherapeutic agents and its side effects remain a challenge for the development of new anticancer compounds. Dates are consumed worldwide due to their high nutritional value. We investigated the cytotoxicity and expression of the proapoptotic BAX gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells treated with Ruthana date ethanolic extract (RDE). The RDE ingredients analyzed by GC/MS and HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of RDE for 24, 48, and 72 h. Cytotoxicity, cell viability, DNA fragmentation, and BAX expression were determined. The GC/MS analysis of RDE showed its high content of quercetin, myricetin kaempferol, thymine, and catechol as the most active ingredients. HepG2 treated with RDE showed a significant change in morphological characteristics related to cell death. The antiproliferative activity determined by WST-1 demonstrated that RDE significantly reduced cell viability. Cells treated with RDE (10-60 mg) showed gradual DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of BAX at 30 mg/ml of RDE (p < 0.001). However, it showed downregulation at (40-60 mg/ml) as compared to control. Our findings indicated that RDE exert cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells due to its high content of flavonoids. This effect through DNA fragmentation and activation of the proapoptotic BAX gene.

Serum heavy metals of passive smoker females and its correlation to bone biomarkers and risk of osteoporosis.

Serum total and free calcium reflect the status of the body health and disease. Smoking is risk factor for many diseases as cardiovascular, lung, and cancers. The goal of this work is to evaluate the correlation between serum lead, cadmium arsenate resulting from passive smoking, and bone status in females. This study was conducted on two hundred women (age 30-50 years) divided into four groups (each 50). Group I, control, included non-smoking healthy women. Group II included heavy smoker (>20 cigarettes/day). Group III, nonsmoker women with osteoporosis, have many fractures. Group IV, smoking women with osteoporosis, included heavy smokers (>20 cigarettes/day) with osteoporotic women and have many fractures. Data obtained showed that T-score of osteoporotic smokers was -3.5 that indicated reduced bone mineral density (BMD) while serum total and ionized calcium were statistically significant decreased in smokers with or without osteoporosis compared with nonsmokers (p < 0.001). A negative correlation between total and free calcium and cadmium levels in smokers was compared with nonsmokers (r =-0.65). The levels of C-terminal pro-peptide of pro-collagen type I (PICP) and N-terminal pro-peptide of procollagen type I (PINP) were higher in smoker osteoporotic women than nonsmokers. It was concluded that cadmium resulting from smoking may compete with absorption of calcium and reduced its level and BMD and increased incidence of osteoporosis. The elevated PICP and PINP indicated decreased rate of proto collagen I turnover in bone tissue and increased incidence of osteoporosis.

Identification of amyloid antibodies for Alzheimer disease - immunotherapy.

The current study identified the specific antibodies that recognise amyloid protein for Alzheimer disease - immunotherapy. The immune-selection of random sequences from a phage display library and sequencing to obtain the random 12 amino acids peptide library for each antibody, and then we analysed these peptides for unique and common sequences, relation to Aß42 sequence and shape and pattern of the amino acid reaction to the antibody to predict the epitopes. Data obtained for 4G8 showed that, the sequence segment related to the putative epitope of 4G8 was LVFFAED. Nine of the ten top sequences contain the sequence RHD corresponding to the Aß sequence from residues 5-7. Peptide 7 has the sequence IRYDTGSYHIH, which has a RYD. It was concluded that, 4G8 and 6E10 can tolerate the binding the sequences that explain it is able to recognise amyloid aggregates.

Identification, protein antiglycation, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and molecular docking of novel bioactive peptides produced from hydrolysis of Lens culinaris.

Bioactive peptides produced from natural sources are considered as strategic target for drug discovery. Hyperglycemia caused protein glycation alters the structure of many tissues that impairs their functions and lead complications diseases in human body. This study investigated the bioactive peptides produced from red and brown Lens culinaris that might inhibit protein glycation to prevent diabetic complications. In this study, red and brown Lens culinaris protein hydrolysates were prepared by tryptic digestion, using an enzyme/substrate ratio of 1:20 (g/g), at 37°C, 12 hr then peptide fractions <3 kDa were filtered by using ultrafiltration membranes. Protective ability against protein glycation, DPPH radical scavenging, and anti-proliferative activities (on HepG2, MCF-7, and PC3 cell lines) of peptide fractions were assayed in vitro. Results showed that glycation was inhibited by peptides from 28.1% to 68.3% in different test model. PC3 cell line was more sensitive to the peptides which showed strong anticancer activity with lower IC50 (0.96 mg/ml). Peptide fractions were sequenced by HPLC-MS-MS. Twenty eight novel peptides sequences was identified. In silico study, two peptides could be developed as a potential bioactive peptides exhibited antiglycation, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Peptides are becoming an emerging source of medications with the development of new technologies. We have selected Lens Culinaris as one of the rich sources of proteins to explore novel bioactive peptides encapsulated in its seeds. Peptides fractions demonstrated protective ability against protein glycation, strong antioxidant potential, and promising antiproliferative activity. We have identified 28 novel peptides and molecular docking study revealed that some peptides showed strong binding potential to insulin receptor and ACE. Thus, these peptides might be used to manage diabetes complication as well as COVID-19 disease due to their interaction with ACE. However, those peptides needs to be further studied as a potential new drug.

A novel homozygous nonsense mutation in CCDC88A gene cause PEHO-like syndrome in consanguineous Saudi family.

Progressive encephalopathy, edema, hypsarrhythmia, and optic atrophy (PEHO) syndrome is an unusual Mendelian phenotype of unidentified origin that causes profound intellectual disability, optic nerve/cerebellar atrophy, epileptic seizures, developmental progress, pedal edema, and early death. Uncharacteristic affected individuals are often classified as having PEHO-like syndrome, although they may be misdiagnosed as having epileptic encephalopathy, a potential result of early birth. In this study, we report a consanguineous Saudi family with a novel homozygous nonsense mutation of the CCDC88A gene causing PEHO-like syndrome. The children were suffering from developmental delay, epilepsy, mental disability, optic nerve/cerebellar atrophy, and pedal edema. Whole exome sequencing was conducted for the members of the family who have the disorder to study the novel mutation. Whole exome sequencing data analysis, confirmed by subsequent Sanger sequencing validation, identified a novel homozygous nonsense mutation c. 1292G > A, which was caused by p.Trp431* stop gain. This mutation was ruled out in 100 unrelated healthy controls. The nonsense homozygous mutation detected in this study has not yet been reported as pathogenic in the literature or various databases. In conclusion, a complete loss of protein function due to premature stop gain was caused by a mutation in exon 12 of CCDC88A. This loss may lead to PEHO phenotype. CCDC88A gene may therefore play an important and critical role for multiple aspects of normal human neurodevelopment.

Epitomic Characterization of the Specificity of the Anti-Amyloid Aß Monoclonal Antibodies 6E10 and 4G8.

The monoclonal antibodies 6E10 and 4G8 are among the first anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies against Aß and the most widely used antibodies in Alzheimer's disease research. Although the epitopes for 6E10 and 4G8 have been reported to correspond to residues 1-16 and 17-24, a more recent high-resolution mapping approach indicates that 6E10 maps to residues 4-10 while 4G8 maps to residues 18-23. To characterize the binding specificity of both antibodies in greater detail, we used immunoselection of random sequences from phage display library followed by deep sequencing and analysis of resulting patterns from thousands of immunoselected sequences. We found that the minimum sequence required for 6E10 binding is R-x-D with over half (53%) of the immunoselected sequences conforming to this pattern. The vast majority of these sequences contain an H at position x (R-H-D), corresponding to residues 5-7 of the Aß target sequences, but Y is also permitted at this position in a minority of sequences. For 4G8 we found that the most frequent pattern is F-x-A contained in approximately 30% of the sequences, followed by F-A, L-x(3)-A, L-x-F, and F-F each accounting for approximately 18% of the sequences. The F-x-A motif also occurs in islet amyloid poly peptide which may explain why 4G8 also recognizes amyloid fibrils of this peptide. Immunoselection of random sequences and deep sequencing may also be a facile and efficient means of determining residues critical for antibody binding and validating the specificity of monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera.

Strigolactones-a novel class of phytohormones as anti-cancer agents.

Chemotherapy shows some promising results in the inhibition of cancer, but resistance to chemotherapy and its severe side effects may occur in due course, resulting in only restricted and narrow benefits. Therefore, there is a pressing need to find alternative chemotherapeutic drugs for combating cancers. Plants have been used since ages in medicine, and by the dawn of 19th century, various potent and promising anti-cancer products have been derived from plants. Strigolactones (SLs) are a novel class of phytohormones involved in regulating the branching of shoots. Recently, many novel synthesized SL analogues have been found to be effective against solid and non-solid tumours. These hormones have been reported to have a unique mechanism of inhibiting cancer cells by lowering their viability and promoting apoptosis and cell death at micromolar concentrations. Therefore, synthetic SL analogues could be future potent anti-cancer drug candidates. Further research is needed to identify and deduce the significance of these synthetic SL analogues.

m-Coumaric acid attenuates non-catalytic protein glycosylation in the retinas of diabetic rats.

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of m-coumaric acid on the glycosylation of proteins in the retinas of diabetic rats. Male rats were divided into two main groups, Group I (normal control) and Group II (diabetic); Group II was further divided into four subgroups: Group IIa (diabetic control), Group IIb (diabetic rats were given m-coumaric acid orally [150 mg/kg, body weight (bw)/day]), Group IIc (diabetic rats were given HCA m-coumaric acid orally [300 mg/kg bw/day]), and Group IId (diabetic rats were given insulin [10 units/kg bw/day]) as a positive control). The treatment lasted for six weeks, and the data obtained suggested that m-coumaric acid reduced glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels, which further decreased the formation of glucose-derived advanced glycation end products. Hence, it protected the tissues from the detrimental effects of hyperglycemia and enhanced antioxidant activity. In conclusion, m-coumaric acid could be a potential candidate to prevent the onset and progression of retinopathy in diabetic patients.

Urinary levels of triclosan and triclocarban in several Asian countries, Greece and the USA: Association with oxidative stress.

Triclosan (TCS) and Triclocarban (TCC) are widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in personal care products (PCPs). Because of their potential for endocrine disrupting effects, human exposure to these chemicals is a concern. Biomonitoring studies of human exposure to TCS and TCC have shown widespread exposure of populations in western European countries and the USA. However, exposure to TCC and TCS by populations in Asian countries is less well known. In this study, concentrations of TCS and TCC were determined in human urine collected from seven Asian countries (China, India, Korea, Kuwait, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam), and Greece and the USA. A total of 430 urine samples were analyzed for TCS and TCC, of which 355 (83%) and 82 (19%), respectively, contained measurable levels of these chemicals. The overall geometric mean [GM] concentrations of TCS and TCC, were 1.36 and 0.03ng/mL, respectively. The highest mean concentration of TCS was found in urine from China (100ng/mL) and the lowest concentration was found in urine from Vietnam (2.34ng/mL). We also analyzed urinary 8-OHdG, a marker of oxidative stress, to elucidate the association with TCS and TCC levels for samples from Saudi Arabia (n=130) and a positive correlation between Ln-transformed TCC levels and 8-OHdG was found, although this was not statistically significant. This is the first study to report urinary levels of TCS and TCC in several Asian countries, especially for Vietnam, Kuwait, and Japan.

Proteome Analysis of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) under Severe Drought and Salt Stress.

Date palm cultivars differently tolerate salinity and drought stress. This study was carried out to study the response of date palm to severe salinity and drought based on leaf proteome analysis. Eighteen-month-old date palm plants were subjected to severe salt (48 g/L NaCl) and drought (82.5 g/L PEG or no irrigation) conditions for one month. Using a protein 2D electrophoresis method, 55 protein spots were analyzed using mass spectrometry. ATP synthase CF1 alpha chains were significantly upregulated under all three stress conditions. Changes in the abundance of RubisCO activase and one of the RubisCO fragments were significant in the same spots only for salt stress and drought stress with no irrigation, and oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 2 was changed in different spots. Transketolase was significantly changed only in drought stress with PEG. The expression of salt and drought stress genes of the chosen protein spots was either overexpressed or downexpressed as revealed by the high or low protein abundance, respectively. In addition, all drought tolerance genes due to no irrigation were downregulated. In conclusion, the proteome analysis of date palm under salinity and drought conditions indicated that both salinity and drought tolerance genes were differentially expressed resulting in high or low protein abundance of the chosen protein spots as a result of exposure to drought and salinity stress condition.

Proteome Analysis for Understanding Abiotic Stress (Salinity and Drought) Tolerance in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.).

This study was carried out to study the proteome of date palm under salinity and drought stress conditions to possibly identify proteins involved in stress tolerance. For this purpose, three-month-old seedlings of date palm cultivar "Sagie" were subjected to drought (27.5 g/L polyethylene glycol 6000) and salinity stress conditions (16 g/L NaCl) for one month. DIGE analysis of protein extracts identified 47 differentially expressed proteins in leaves of salt- and drought-treated palm seedlings. Mass spectrometric analysis identified 12 proteins; three out of them were significantly changed under both salt and drought stress, while the other nine were significantly changed only in salt-stressed plants. The levels of ATP synthase alpha and beta subunits, an unknown protein and some of RubisCO fragments were significantly changed under both salt and drought stress conditions. Changes in abundance of superoxide dismutase, chlorophyll A-B binding protein, light-harvesting complex1 protein Lhca1, RubisCO activase, phosphoglycerate kinase, chloroplast light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein, phosphoribulokinase, transketolase, RubisCO, and some of RubisCO fragments were significant only for salt stress.

The Efficiency of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Bran in Ameliorating Blood and Treating Fatty Heart and Liver of Male Rats.

The current study focused on testing the hypolipidemic activity of two doses of barley bran on hypercholesterolemic male rats. Twenty-four male albino rats weighing 180-200 gm were divided into four groups. The first group (G1) was the negative control, the second group (G2) was the positive control group fed 2% cholesterol in the diet, and rats of the third and the fourth groups were fed 2% cholesterol and were cosupplemented with 5% and 10% barley bran, respectively, for 8 weeks. The hypercholesterolemic rats of (G2) showed an increase in lipid profile, liver enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB, and lipid peroxide and a decrease in antioxidant enzymes, whereas kidney function, fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin total protein, and total bilirubin were not significantly affected compared with the negative control group in G1. Moreover, histology of heart, liver, and kidney of G2 rats showed histopathological changes compared with the negative control. Administration of the two doses of barley bran in G3 and G4 to the hypercholesterolemic rats ameliorated the level of lipids, liver enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase-MB. In addition, the histology of heart, liver, and kidney tissues nearly restored the normal state as in G1.

Phylogeny of ten species of the genus Hordeum L. as revealed by AFLP markers and seed storage protein electrophoresis.

The phylogenetic relationships of 60 accessions representing ten species of the genus Hordeum were investigated based on AFLP markers and seed storage protein SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. A total of 339 AFLP polymorphic markers were scored as a result of fingerprinting the studied taxa using seven AFLP primer combinations, whereas 46 polymorphic protein bands resulted from the water soluble and water non-soluble seed storage protein electrophoresis. The phylogenetic tree deduced from AFLP analysis is concordant in a large extent with that deduced from seed storage protein electrophoresis. The studied taxa were clustered according to their genome type into two main groups representing the Old and New World's species. Inside each group the species were clustered according to their genome type. Highly significant cophenetic correlation coefficient was obtained between both AFLP (0.96) and seed storage protein (0.89) indicating the reliability of the results.

Two-stage PCR assay for detection of human brucellosis in endemic areas.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a common zoonosis that can cause a severe febrile illness in humans. It constitutes a persistent health problem in many developing countries around the world. It is one of the most frequently reported diseases in Saudi Arabia and incidence is particularly high in the Central region, and around the city of Riyadh. The aim of this study was to evaluate a two-stage PCR assay for detection of human brucellosis particularly in endemic areas. METHODS: A total of 101 serum samples were collected from patients with acute febrile illness (AFI) of unknown cause from two different locations in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. The first location (Northern) is characterized by a nomadic rural population while the second (Central) is a modern urban city. All samples were subjected to DNA extraction and Brucella genus-specific PCR amplification using B4/B5 primers of the bcsp31 gene. Positive B4/B5 samples were subjected to multiplex species-specific Brucella PCR amplification. RESULTS: In the Northern location, 81.9% of the AFI samples were confirmed Brucella positive, while all the samples collected from the Central region proved to be Brucella negative. Samples positive for Brucella were subjected to multiplex species-specific Brucella amplification. B. abortus was detected in 10% and B. melitensis in 8% of the samples, while the majority (82%) of samples showed both B. abortus and B. melitensis. As expected, B. suis was not detected in any of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that a two-stage PCR assay could be useful as a rapid diagnostic tool to allow the consideration of brucellosis as a possible cause of AFI, particularly in non-urban locations. It also recommends the collection of epidemiological data for such patients to obtain further information that may help in rapid diagnosis.

Oxidant/antioxidant status in obese adolescent females with acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acne vulgaris is a distressing skin condition, which can carry with it significant psychological disability. Oxidant/antioxidant imbalance leads to increased production of free radicals, that cause many diseases. Some nutrients, along with systemic oxidative stress, have been implicated in acne vulgaris. The goal of the present study was to assess oxidant and antioxidant status in correlation with the incidence of acne vulgaris in adolescent obese females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 adolescent females (age 16-22 years) were divided into four groups (15 each) as follows: The first included obese females with acne; the second included obese females without acne; the third included non obese with acne and the fourth included non obese without acne. Fasting serum Malondialdehyde (MDA), beta-carotene, and Vitamins A, E, and C were measured. In addition, platelet monoamineoxidase (MAO), and erythrocyte catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) activities were determined. RESULTS: It was found that serum MDA was statistically significantly decreased in obese and non obese subjects with acne, as compared to those without acne (P<0.05, P<0.001) respectively. In contrast, the levels of beta-carotene, vitamins A, E and C and the activity of MAO were significantly decreased in the obese and non obese with acne, as against the obese and non obese without acne. INTERPRETATION: In obese subjects, increased fat content facilitates free radical production and lipid peroxidation, as indicated by increased MDA level, which is scavenged by the antioxidant vitamins. The decreased activity of MAO may be inhibited by free radicals and this causes psychological depression in adolescents. However there were non significant changes in the activity of COMT among the studied groups. CONCLUSION: The nutritional factors and a weakened antioxidant defense system may interplay, to increase the risk of psychological sequelae in acne vulgaris.