Toxicity of Three Optical Brighteners: Potential Pharmacological Targets and Effects on Caenorhabditis elegans.

Optical brighteners (OBs) have become an integral part of our daily lives and culture, with a growing number of applications in various fields. Most industrially produced OBs are derived from stilbene, which has been found in environmental matrices. The main objectives for this work are as follows: first, to identify protein targets for DAST, FB-28, and FB-71, and second, to assess their effects in some behaviors physiologic of Caenorhabditis elegans. To achieve the first objective, each OB was tested against a total of 844 human proteins through molecular docking using AutoDock Vina, and affinities were employed as the main criteria to identify potential target proteins for the OB. Molecular dynamics simulations took and validated the best 25 docking results from two protein databases. The highest affinity was obtained for the Hsp70-1/DAST, CD40 ligand/FB-71, and CD40 ligand/FB-28 complexes. The possible toxic effects that OBs could cause were evaluated using the nematode C. elegans. The lethality, body length, locomotion, and reproduction were investigated in larval stage L1 or L4 of the wild-type strain N2. In addition, transgenic green fluorescent protein (GFP) strains were employed to estimate changes in relative gene expression. The effects on the inhibition of growth, locomotion, and reproduction of C. elegans nematodes exposed to DAST, FB-71, and FB-28 OBs were more noticeable with respect to lethality. Moreover, an interesting aspect in OB was increased the expression of gpx-4 and sod-4 genes associated with oxidative stress indicating a toxic response related to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In all cases, a clear concentration-response relationship was observed. It is of special attention that the use of OBs is increasing, and their different sources, such as detergents, textiles, plastics, and paper products, must also be investigated to characterize the primary emissions of OBs to the environment and to develop an adequate regulatory framework.

Tetrahydrocurcumin Derivatives Enhanced the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Curcumin: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis.

Tetrahydrocurcumin, the most abundant curcumin transformation product in biological systems, can potentially be a new alternative therapeutic agent with improved anti-inflammatory activity and higher bioavailability than curcumin. In this article, we describe the synthesis and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activities of tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives. Eleven tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives were synthesized via Steglich esterification on both sides of the phenolic rings of tetrahydrocurcumin with the aim of improving the anti-inflammatory activity of this compound. We showed that tetrahydrocurcumin (2) inhibited TNF-α and IL-6 production but not PGE2 production. Three tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives inhibited TNF-α production, five inhibited IL-6 production, and three inhibited PGE2 production. The structure-activity relationship analysis suggested that two factors could contribute to the biological activities of these compounds: the presence or absence of planarity and their structural differences. Among the tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives, cyclic compound 13 was the most active in terms of TNF-α production, showing even better activity than tetrahydrocurcumin. Acyclic compound 11 was the most effective in terms of IL-6 production and retained the same effect as tetrahydrocurcumin. Moreover, acyclic compound 12 was the most active in terms of PGE2 production, displaying better inhibition than tetrahydrocurcumin. A 3D-QSAR analysis suggested that the anti-inflammatory activities of tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives could be increased by adding bulky groups at the ends of compounds 2, 11, and 12.

Estudio teórico de compuestos derivados de cefalosporinas con potencial actividad inhibitoria frente a proteína de unión a penicilina (PBP) y resistencia a enzimas betalactamasa de espectro extendido (BLEE) producidas por Escherichia coli / Theoretical study of compounds derived from cephalosporins with inhibitory activity potential front to penicillin binding proteins (PBP) and resistance to Extended spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL) produced by Escherichia coli

RESUMEN Se han utilizado herramientas computacionales para proponer moléculas derivadas de cefalosporinas con potencial actividad antibacteriana, frente a cepas de Escherichia Coli, con mayor afinidad como inhibidores de enzimas de unión a penicilinas y que a su vez disminuyan o no tengan afinidad por betalactamasas de espectro extendido. Se diseñaron 20 moléculas con base en la estructura molecular de la cefalosporina, las estructuras fueron optimizadas utilizando la teoría del funcional de la densidad, se calcularon descriptores moleculares de reactividad, de forma paralela se sometieron a acoplamiento molecular con las enzimas antes mencionadas. Las moléculas presentaron valores de energía de unión negativos, doce moléculas mostraron una orientación e interacciones favorables en el sitio activo de la enzima de unión a penicilinas y trece moléculas presentaron menor afinidad que el ligando nativo (cefotaxima) por la betalactamasa. Tres moléculas pueden considerarse como potenciales inhibidores de enzimas de unión a penicilinas resistentes y betalactamasas.

SUMMARY Computational tools have been used to propose molecules derived from cephalosporins with potential antibacterial activity, against strains of Escherichia Coli, with higher affinity as inhibitors of penicillin-binding enzymes and which in turn decrease or do not have affinity for extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. 20 molecules were designed based on the molecular structure of the cephalosporin, the structures were optimized using the density functional theory, molecular descriptors of reactivity were calculated, and in parallel form they were subjected to molecular docking with the enzymes mentioned above. The molecules showed negative binding energy values, 12 molecules showed an orientation and favorable interactions in the active site of the penicillin binding enzyme and thirteen molecules had lower affinity than the native ligand (Cefotaxime) for betalactamase. Three molecules can be considered as potential inhibitors of binding enzymes to resistant penicillins and betalactamases.

The role of LasR active site amino acids in the interaction with the Acyl Homoserine Lactones (AHLs) analogues: A computational study.

The present work combines molecular docking calculations, 3D-QSAR, molecular dynamics simulations and free binding energy calculations (MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA) in a set of 28 structural analogues of acyl homoserine lactones with Quorum Sensing antagonist activity. The aim of this work is to understand how ligand binds and is affected by the molecular microenvironment in the active site of the LasR receptor for pseudomonas aeruginosa. We also study the stability of the interaction to find key structural characteristics that explain the antagonist activities of this set of ligands. This information is relevant for the rational modification or design of molecules and their identification as powerful LasR modulators. The analysis of molecular docking simulations shows that the 28 analogues have a similar binding mode compared to the native ligand. The carbonyl groups belonging to the lactone ring and the amide group of the acyl chain are oriented towards the amino acids forming hydrogen bond like interactions. The difference in antagonist activity is due to location and orientation of the LasR side chains within the hydrophobic pocket in its binding site. Additionally, we carried out molecular dynamics simulations to understand the conformational changes in the ligand-receptor interaction and the stability of each complex. Results show a direct relationship among the interaction energies of the ligands and the activities as an antagonist of the LasR receptor.

Papel de la biopelícula dental en la enfermedad periodontal / Biofilm role in periodontal disease

La biopelícula dental muestra una organización altamente compleja en relación a lo que se puede esperar de unos organismos que anteriormente se creían independientes y de poca capacidad de asociaciones. Tienen una forma de crecimiento y de sostenibilidad bastante avanzada y estructurada que facilita la supervivencia de los patógenos incluidos dentro de estas formas de asociación. El presente artículo es una revisión narrativa de mecanismos como el quórum sensing, la biopelícula dental y las acciones que pueden presentar éstas con la enfermedad periodontal que afectan a muchos seres humanos en todas las latitudes a nivel mundial. Se plantean posibles opciones de investigación y de campos futuros que faciliten aplicaciones a nivel de experimentación

Dental Biofilms are highly complex organization in relation to what you would expect some organisms previously thought and low capacity independent of associations. They have a sustainable growth and well advanced and structured to facilitate the survival of pathogens contained within these forms of association. This article is a narrative review of mechanisms such as quorum sensing, biofilm and the actions which can present these with periodontal diseases that affect many people at all latitudes worldwide. Options are proposed field research and to facilitate future experimental level applications

Periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis y su relación con la expresión de quorum sensing / Periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis and its relation to quorum sensing expression

Los mecanismos de señalización bacteriana desempeñan un papel fundamental en el establecimiento y progresión de la enfermedad periodontal. Dadas estas circunstancias es crucial profundizar en el entendimiento de estos mecanismos para intentar proveer estrategias terapéuticas novedosas. El presente artículo de revisión, de carácter narrativo, tiene como objetivo conducir un análisis crítico de la evidencia disponible sobre la influencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) y expresión de quorum sensing (Qs) en enfermedad periodontal. Se realizó una búsqueda a través de bases de datos como Ovid (MEDLINE), ScienceDirect, Hinari. El conocimiento actual de estos mecanismos ofrece la posibilidad de desarrollar nuevos y profundos estudios (teóricos y experimentales) sobre la expresión del QS en pacientes con enfermedad periodontal y permitirá un novedoso campo de investigación con el que no se cuenta en la actualidad. Desde su descubrimiento, el QS se vislumbra como un espacio de investigación valioso en el cual se debe insistir de manera permanente. La anterior evidencia permite concluir que a través de la regulación de la expresión de determinados genes en bacterias como la PG, se puede efectuar la inhibición de la formación de las biopelículas que tiene efectos directos e indirectos sobre el desarrollo de la enfermedad periodontal(AU)

The bacterial signaling mechanisms play a key role in the establishment and progression of periodontal disease. Due to these circumstances it is crucial to deepen in the understanding of these mechanisms to try to provide novel therapeutic strategies. The objective of present narrative literature review was to make a critical analyze of the available evidence on the influence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG) and the quorum sensing expression in periodontal disease. Using the Ovid (MEDLINE) ScienceDirect, Hinari database we made a search. The current knowledge of these mechanisms offers the possibility of developing new and deep studies (theoretical and experimental) on the QS expression in patients presenting with periodontal disease allowing a novel research field not currently available. From its discovery the QS is discerned as a valuable research space in which we must to insist in a permanent way. The above mentioned evidence allows concluding that by the regulation of the expression of determined genes in bacteria like PG, it is possible to carry out the inhibition in the formation of the biofilms with direct and indirect effects on the periodontal disease development(AU)