Antileishmanial activity of a dillapiole derivative obtained from Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae).

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is considered a public health problem. Current treatments have disadvantages because they are invasive and have serious side effects, and thus there is a need for research into new, more effective pharmacological alternatives. Plants are promising sources of bioactive substances, and new analogues can be obtained through chemical reactions.

Skin photoaging in farmers occupationally exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Background: Most personal exposures to UV radiations occur from outdoor activities and several studies detected a significant association between skin cancer and outdoor occupation.

Objective: The aim of the study was to ascertain the prevalence of photoaging signs in a population of Italian farmers and in a population of indoor workers taking account of confounding factors.

Methods: 169 farmers and 198 indoor workers were classified for skin phototype and for skin photoaging, moreover 13 variables were taken into account.

Prevention and reversion of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in OB/OB mice by S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the role oral administration of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC), a NO donor drug, in the prevention and reversion of NASH in two different animal models.

Methods: NASH was induced in male ob/ob mice by methionine-choline deficient (MCD) and high-fat (H) diets. Two animal groups received or not SNAC orally for four weeks since the beginning of the treatment.

Hepatic gene expression profile associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis protection by S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine in ob/ob mice.

Background/aims: To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) prevention by S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC), an NO donor that inhibits lipid peroxidation, we examined hepatic differentially expressed genes between ob/ob mice receiving or not SNAC treatment concomitantly with a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet.

Methods: Ob/ob mice were assigned to receive oral SNAC fed solution (MCD+SNAC group) or vehicle (MCD group) by gavage. After four weeks, histopathological analysis and microarray hybridizations were conducted in liver tissues from groups.

Oral administration of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine prevents the onset of non alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats.

Aim: To evaluate the potential of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) in inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the effect of oral SNAC administration in the prevention of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in an animal model.

Methods: NAFLD was induced in Wistar male rats by choline-deficient diet for 4 wk. SNAC-treated animals (n=6) (1.