Genotoxic changes in peripheral lymphocytes after therapeutic exposure to crude coal tar and ultraviolet radiation

Chromosomal Aberrations and Oxidative Stress in Psoriatic Patients with and without Metabolic Syndrome

Psoriasis and metabolic syndrome (MetS), a common comorbidity of psoriasis, are associated with mild chronic systemic inflammation that increases oxidative stress and causes cell and tissue damage. At the cellular level, chromosomal and DNA damage has been documented, thus confirming their genotoxic effect. The main objective of our study was to show the genotoxic potential of chronic inflammation and determine whether the presence of both pathologies increases chromosomal damage compared to psoriasis alone and to evaluate whether there are correlations between selected parameters and chromosomal aberrations in patients with psoriasis and MetS psoriasis. Clinical examination (PASI score and MetS diagnostics according to National Cholesterol Education Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults; NCE/ATPIII criteria), biochemical analysis of blood samples (fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low density and high density lipoproteins; LDL, HDL, non-HDL, and triglycerides;TAG), DNA/RNA oxidative damage, and chromosomal aberration test were performed in 41 participants (20 patients with psoriasis without MetS and 21 with MetS and psoriasis). Our results showed that patients with psoriasis without metabolic syndrome (nonMetS) and psoriasis and MetS had a higher rate of chromosomal aberrations than the healthy population for which the limit of spontaneous, natural aberration was <2%. No significant differences in the aberration rate were found between the groups. However, a higher aberration rate (higher than 10%) and four numerical aberrations were documented only in the MetS group. We found no correlations between the number of chromosomal aberrations and the parameters tested except for the correlation between aberrations and HDL levels in nonMetS patients (rho 0.44; p < 0.02). Interestingly, in the MetS group, a higher number of chromosomal aberrations was documented in non-smokers compared to smokers. Data from our current study revealed an increased number of chromosomal aberrations in patients with psoriasis and MetS compared to the healthy population, especially in psoriasis with MetS, which could increase the genotoxic effect of inflammation and the risk of genomic instability, thus increasing the risk of carcinogenesis.

Goeckerman Therapy of Psoriasis: Genotoxicity, Dietary Micronutrients, Homocysteine, and MTHFR Gene Polymorphisms

Goeckerman therapy (GT) of psoriasis vulgaris is based on the application of crude coal tar and ultraviolet radiation. We investigated DNA damage by the number of micronucleated binucleated cells (MNBC) in lymphocytes, serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, and two polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) in the MTHFR gene in 35 patients with exacerbated psoriasis vulgaris classified according to the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score and treated by GT. The median of PASI score decreased from nineteen to five, and MNBC increased from 10 to 18‰ after GT (p < 0.001 in both cases). Correlations of MNBC with homocysteine (Spearman’s rho = 0.420, p = 0.012) and vitamin B12 (rho = −0.389, p = 0.021) before the therapy were observed. Hyperhomocysteinemia was an independent predictor of genotoxicity (OR 9.91; 95% CI, 2.09–55.67; p = 0.003). Homocysteine was higher in females than in males (13 vs. 12 µmol/L, p = 0.045). In contrast, vitamin B12 levels in the females were lower than in the males (160 vs. 192 pmol/L, p = 0.047). Vitamin B12 in the females were negatively influenced by smoking status (160 pmol/L in smokers vs. 192 pmol/L in non-smokers, p = 0.025). A significantly higher MNBC was found in CC homozygous patients (A1298C polymorphism) than in AC heterozygotes (32 vs. 16‰, p = 0.005) and AA homozygotes (32 vs. 18‰, p = 0.036). Our data showed that homocysteine participates in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Its serum levels correlated with MNBC and allowed the prediction of DNA damage to appear within GT. Both micronutrients status and homocysteine metabolic pathway contribute to the genotoxicity of GT.

Neuroprotective and Antiamnesic Effects of Mitragyna inermis Willd (Rubiaceae) on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice

Aim. To assess memory improvement and neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of Mitragyna inermis (M. inermis) leaf decoction on the central nervous system. Methodology. Leaf decoction of M. inermis was tested on learning and memory in normal and scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice using memory behavioral tests such as the Morris water maze, object recognition task, and elevated plus maze. Oxidative stress enzymes-catalase, superoxide dismutase, and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, a product of lipid peroxidation-were quantified. In each test, mice 18 to 25 g were divided into groups of 5. Results. The extract reversed the effects of scopolamine in mice. The extract significantly increased discrimination index in the object recognition task test and inflexion ratio in the elevated plus maze test. The times spent in target quadrant in MWM increased while the transfer latency decreased in mice treated by M. inermis at the dose of 196.5 mg/kg. The activity levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly increased, whereas the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance was significantly decreased after 8 consecutive days of treatment with M. inermis at the dose of 393 mg/kg. Conclusion. These results suggest that M. inermis leaf extract possess potential antiamnesic effects.