Inflammation and Psoriasis: A Comprehensive Review

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease with a strong genetic component that brings many challenges to sick individuals, such as chronic illness, and which has multiple associated comorbidities like cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and psychological disorders. Understanding the interplay between the innate and adaptative immune system has led to the discovery of specific cytokine circuits (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-23, IL-17), which has allowed scientists to discover new biomarkers that can be used as predictors of treatment response and pave the way for personalized treatments. In this review, we describe the footprint psoriasis leaves on the skin and beyond, key pathophysiological mechanisms, current available therapeutic options, and drawbacks faced by existing therapies, and we anticipate potential future perspectives that may improve the quality of life of affected individuals.

Daily oral administration of chlorogenic acid prevents the experimental carrageenan-induced oxidative stress

Inflammation and oxidative stress are interrelated processes, during which many pathological processes lead to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the cytokines release. The aim of this experimental study was to analyse the effects of chlorogenic acid, in oral daily administration, against the oxidative stress and oedema development in experimental carrageenan-induced rat paw inflammation. The oxidative stress parameters were investigated after a paw inflammation was produced in rats that previoulsy received, for 14 days, either chlorogenic acid (100 mg/day or 150 mg/day) or indomethacin (1 mg/kg/day). The paw oedema was measured through plethysmometry made at 2, 6 and 24 hours after carrageenan injection. The oxidative stress was investigated through spectrophotometry. Blood samples, paw skin and kidneys were collected to investigate malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). The protein expression of oxidative stress-related pathways was analysed in skin and kidneys through Western blot. The present study showed that indomethacin and both doses of chlorogenic acid, after 14 days of oral administration, exerted antioedematous effects during the inflammation development after carrageenan local injection. Compared to the group that received only carrageenan injection, significant decreases of the inflamed paw volume were shown in the treated groups (P < 0.001), in all inflammation phases. The lipid peroxidation was significantly decreased by both doses of chlorogenic acid in inflamed skin (P < 0.0001) and kidney (P < 0.0001). In serum, it was significantly inhibited by indomethacin (P < 0.01) and by 100 mg/day of chlorogenic acid (P < 0.05). The antioxidant protection, evaluated through the ratio GSH/GSSG, was significantly increased by chlorogenic acid in inflamed skin (P < 0.0001) and kidney (100 mg/day, P < 0.01; 150 mg/day, P < 0.0001). In serum, only indomethacin administration produced significant increases of the antioxidant protection (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed significant decreases of COX-2 in inflamed skin and kidney in the groups of rats that received indomethacin or 100 mg/day of chlorogenic acid. The effects of chlorogenic acid on NF-κB and pNF-κB were dose-dependent.

Antioxidant protection against cosmic radiation-induced oxidative stress at commercial flight altitude

It is proposed that at the commercial flight altitude the cosmic radiation affects the human body and induces the oxidative stress. This review presents data to support this idea and also cumulates the information to provide the basis for antioxidant supplementation in persons that travel by plane at high altitudes. The conclusion is that the heterogeneity of cosmic radiation can produce different effects on human body through different mechanisms and the prophylactic treatment with antioxidants can reduce the oxidative stress generated by the radiation exposure.