Physiometabolic effects of Agave salmiana fructans evaluated in Wistar rats.

A prospective completely randomized experimental study was conducted using 48 animals to evaluate the physiometabolic effects of Agave salmiana fructans as a dietary supplement in healthy Wistar rats. Five fructans concentrations from 5 to 20% (w/w) and one control were used in the rats' diet and were divided into six groups (n=8 rats/group). The treatments were carried out for 35days, during which glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, body-weight gain, food intake, fecal excretion, organ weights, renal and hepatic functions and a histological analysis of the cecum were evaluated. Glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, renal and hepatic functions were not significantly affected by any treatment. Body-weight gain and food intake were lower in the rat groups fed fructans than in the control group. Increased fecal excretion (p<0.05) was observed only in animals fed 12.5 and 20% fructans. Mice supplemented with fructans exhibited increased weight and length (p<0.05) in the cecum and colon. A histological analysis of the cecum showed cellular proliferation with a dose of 12.5% and membrane lysis at doses of 15 and 20%. In conclusion, the inclusion of 12.5% of Agave salmiana fructans in the animals' diets exerts beneficial physiometabolic effects after the seventh treatment day.

The effect of methotrexate on the expression of cell adhesion molecules and activation molecule CD69 in psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of the action of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of psoriasis has not been completely elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of MTX on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, activation molecule CD69 and T-cell phenotype in skin specimens from patients with psoriasis. METHODS: We performed an immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of T-cell phenotype and cell adhesion/activation molecules in skin biopsies from patients with psoriasis treated with a fixed dose of MTX (12.5 mg/week). To determine data on the epidermal/dermal T-cell infiltration we carried out a manual quantification. RESULTS: Skin samples prior to therapy showed a moderate to severe inflammatory infiltrate, mainly due to T lymphocytes with a helper/inducer (CD4) phenotype. Most of these cells also expressed ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Blood vessels showed expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1, and keratinocytes were positive for ICAM-1 staining. The cell infiltrate was reduced after therapy, as well as the expression of cell adhesion molecules. However, we also noted the persistence of the T lymphocyte phenotype CD8(+), expressing the CD69 activation molecule, after the MTX treatment. CONCLUSIONS: MTX downregulates the expression of some adhesion molecules, a phenomenon that may contribute to its anti-inflammatory therapeutic effect in psoriasis. The infiltrating T cells post-treatment have an activated cytotoxic phenotype, which may suggest a pathogenic role in the continuation and/or recurrence of psoriasis.

Lack of expression of intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 in lepromatous leprosy patients.

It is conceivable that an abnormal expression of cell-adhesion molecules can contribute to the poor inflammatory response seen in some inflammatory skin diseases. Adhesins are cell-surface molecules that are expressed by many cell types. The main function of adhesins appears to be the promotion of cellular interactions, such as those occurring between immune cells. The epidermis of patients with inflammatory skin diseases exhibits an increased expression of ICAM-1, and it has been postulated that such increased expression can be important in the genesis of cutaneous inflammation. The expression of cell-adhesion molecules (LFA-1, LFA-2, LFA-3 and ICAM-1) in skin lesions of leprosy patients was studied, as well as the in vitro expression of these molecules induced with gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). A lack of expression of ICAM-1 in the epidermis of lepromatous patients was noted; in addition, no expression of ICAM-1 was seen in the nearly normal skin from these patients incubated with IFN-gamma. A similar expression of the four molecules studies was noted in the dermis of both the lepromatous and tuberculoid types of leprosy. The epidermis of the lepromatous leprosy patients appears to have a defective expression of ICAM-1.