Enrique Herrera

Antioxidant activity of mycosporine-like amino acids isolated from three red macroalgae and one marine lichen

Several standard in vitro assays were performed in order to determine the potential antioxidant capabilities of purified aqueous extracts of the mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), porphyra-334 plus shinorine (P-334 + SH), isolated from the red alga Porphyra rosengurttii, asterina-330 plus palythine (AS-330 + PNE), from the red alga Gelidium corneum, shinorine (SH), from the red alga Ahnfeltiopsis devoniensis, and mycosporine -glycine (M-Gly), isolated from the marine lichen Lichina pygmaea. The scavenging potential of hydrosoluble radicals (ABTS+ decolorization method), the antioxidant activity in lipid medium (β-carotene/ linoleate bleaching method) and the scavenging capacity of superoxide radicals (pyrogallol autooxidation assay) were evaluated. In terms of scavenging of hydrosoluble radicals, the antioxidant activity of all MAAs studied was dose-dependent and it increased with the alkalinity of the medium (pH 6 to 8.5). M-Gly presented the highest activity in all pH tested; at pH 8.5 its IC50 was 8-fold that of L-ascorbic acid (L-ASC) followed by AS-330 + PNE while P-334 + SH and SH showed scarce activity of scavenging of hydrosoluble free radicals. AS-330 + PNE showed high activity for inhibition of β-carotene oxidation relative to vitamin E and superoxide radical scavenging whilst the activity of P-334 +SH and SH were moderate. According to these results, the potential of MAAs in photoprotection can be considered high due to a double function: (1) UV chemical screening with high efficiency for UVB and UVA regions of the solar spectrum, and (2) their antioxidant capacity.

Prevention of the ultraviolet effects on clinical and histopathological changes, as well as the heat shock protein-70 expression in mouse skin by topical application of algal UV-absorbing compounds

BACKGROUND Sunscreens have long been used to protect against the acute effects of UV radiation. They can also have protective effects on chronic UV-induced changes, such as photoaging and skin cancer. Recent studies have focused on marine organisms as a source of natural bioactive molecules and some UV-absorbing algal compounds are under investigation as candidates for new natural sunscreens. OBJECTIVE The cutaneous photoprotective ability of the mycosporine-like aminoacids (MAAs) Porphyra-334 and shinorine (P-334+SH), high UV-absorbing compounds isolated from the red alga Porphyra rosengurttii, was evaluated by in vivo procedures in mouse skin. The expression of the heat shock protein HSP70 as a potential biomarker for acute UV damage was also investigated. METHODS A galenic formulation containing the MAA combination of P-334+SH was applied topically to the dorsal skin of SkhR-1 H hairless mice, which were irradiated with a single UV radiation dose of 3.87Jcm(-2) and compared with a combination of UVB- and UVA-absorbing reference filters. Clinical signs of sunburn, such as erythema and edema, as well as other quantifiable histological and biochemical parameters, such as the expression of the heat shock protein 70 and antioxidant enzyme activities, were measured from skin biopsies at 6, 24, 48 and 72h post-radiation. RESULTS The formulation containing MAA prevented sunburn cell formation, as well as corneum stratum, malphigian, dermal and hypodermal thickening and other structural and morphological alterations observed in biopsies of non-photoprotected skin. A significant increase in Hsp70 was observed in the epidermis of non-photoprotected mouse skin, besides a de novo expression in deeper layers. P-334+SH protected against the significant decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities observed in non-photoprotected mice. CONCLUSION The topical application of P-334+SH protected against UV-induced skin damage in mice and contributed to maintaining the antioxidant defence system of the skin as well as Hsp70 expression.

Presence of Leishmania organisms in specific and non-specific skin lesions in HIV-infected individuals with visceral leishmaniasis.

Background Leishmania coinfection is frequently seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients in endemic areas, and from time to time the protozoan is detected in cutaneous biopsies.

Reactivación de la sífilis en Málaga

Introduction In our milieu, syphilis has been truly rare in recent years, although it has never ceased to be present. However, we would like to draw attention to its recent revival, presenting with certain peculiarities.Resumen Introduccion En nuestro medio, la sifilis, aunque no ha dejado de presentarse en ningun momento, era realmente rara en los ultimos anos. Queremos, sin embargo, llamar la atencion sobre su reciente reactivacion con ciertas peculiaridades de presentacion. Pacientes y metodos Se estudian las caracteristicas de 12 casos de sifilis diagnosticados en nuestro servicio de dermatologia entre junio y diciembre de 2004. Resultados De los 12 pacientes, con edades comprendidas entre los 20 y 48 anos, solo una era mujer, y seis eran homosexuales. Cinco de estos y un heterosexual estaban, ademas, infectados por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana. Tres pacientes fueron diagnosticados en el periodo primario, mientras que los otros nueve mostraban alteraciones propias del secundarismo, aunque cinco de ellos no tenian conciencia de haber tenido chancro ni adenopatias. La serologia fue clave en el diagnostico dada la gran variedad de manifestaciones clinicas y todos respondieron bien al tratamiento penicilinico. Conclusion Conviene realizar serologia luetica en pacientes con cuadros sospechosos de sifilis secundaria, especialmente en pacientes homosexuales y portadores de anticuerpos frente al virus de inmunodeficiencia humana.

Primary cutaneous CD30 (Ki‐1)‐positive non‐anaplastic B‐cell lymphoma

Background:  The CD30 (Ki‐1)‐positive lymphoproliferative disorders show a non‐epidermotropic infiltrate of large‐sized pleomorphic T cells, being extremely rare those that develop from B cells.

Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of extensive Bowen's disease

Abstract Background: Surgical excision is the preferred method of eradicating Bowen´s disease (BD). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been successfully used for treatment of actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and BD. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of PDT for treatment of extensive BD. Method: Eighteen patients with 23 biopsy-proven BD lesions were treated with PDT. We defined as extensive those lesions large than 3 cm. Methyl aminolevulinate cream was applied for 3 h before illumination with an light emitting diode light source at a wavelength of 630 nm (energy density of 37 J/cm²). Treatment was repeated 1 week later. Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, 22 of 23 BD lesions (90%) showed complete clinical response. Only three lesions recurred after a follow-up period of 12 months. Cosmetic outcome at 12 months was good or excellent in 94% of patients. Conclusion: Methyl aminolevulinate PDT is an effective treatment option for extensive BD with excellent cosmesis.

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp: a successful treatment with photodynamic therapy.

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is a rare inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology that usually occurs in the elderly. It is characterized by sterile pustules, chronic crusted erosions, cicatricial alopecia, and skin atrophy. The histopathology is nonspecific, and its pathophysiology remains undetermined, with various types of local trauma possibly acting as the triggering factor. We describe a case of EPDS in a 75‐year‐old female in whom there was a marked response to photodynamic therapy with methyl 5‐aminolaevulinic acid.

Prolonged treatment with rituximab in patients with refractory pemphigus vulgaris.

Objectives: Recent reports have documented swift responses in refractory pemphigus vulgaris to rituximab, a monoclonal anti‐CD20 antibody. Nevertheless, no standard protocol has yet been established for the administration of rituximab in patients with pemphigus vulgaris. We report the results of prolonged treatment with rituximab therapy in two patients with refractory pemphigus vulgaris. Methods: A 22‐ and a 27‐year‐old man were diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris according to clinical, histopathological and immunofluorescence criteria. They failed to respond after several years of steroid and immunosuppressive treatment and experienced adverse effects. Rituximab was administered intravenously at a dose of 375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 weeks. Results: Single infusions of rituximab 375 mg/m2 were repeated at 2‐monthly intervals four times because of a delayed response. The treatment was well tolerated, no side effects were observed and the previous corticosteroid therapy could be progressively withdrawn. Conclusions: The good response of our patients suggests that rituximab may be a valuable treatment option for refractory pemphigus vulgaris. It is important that clinicians are aware that the response to rituximab in pemphigus may be delayed, and that prolonged treatment may have a good outcome.

Pigmented mammary Paget disease mimicking cutaneous melanoma

A 55-year-old Spanish woman was referred to our department regarding a 3-year history of asymptomatic progressively enlarging pigmented lesion on her left mammary nipple and areola, without associated discharge. Physical examination revealed a 4.5 · 3 cm, dark brown, well-defined plaque involving the 80% of the areola and the nipple had disappeared (Fig. 1). On dermoscopy, the lighter portion of the lesion corresponded to a whitish-pink area with irregular linear vessels resembling an area of regression, whereas the darker portion was characterized by dark brown diffuse pigmentation with irregular black dots and small graywhite structures (Fig. 2). Although the criteria were not completely specific, the dermoscopic features suggested a

Series temporales de medida de radiación solar ultravioleta y fotosintética en Málaga

Resumen Introduccion La radiacion ultravioleta es el principal factor etiopatogenico de las formas mas frecuentes del cancer de piel. En la provincia de Malaga es habitual la exposicion solar continuada, sobre todo por tener una alta afluencia de turismo y, ademas, por ser una region donde se desarrollan gran numero de actividades actinicas, tanto laborales como de ocio. Material y metodos Se determinan series temporales de medida de radiacion ultravioleta UVB, UVA y radiacion fotosinteticamente activa (PAR) solar en Malaga (36,5° N-4,7° O) utilizando la recien constituida Red de Medida de Radiacion Ultravioleta-Fotosintetica de Andalucia (UVIFAN) ( http://uvifan.scai.uma.es ). Resultados Se presentan ciclos anuales desde el ano 1997 hasta finales de 2001 de la dosis diaria total para las tres bandas de radiacion. Las dosis diarias maximas se observan en los meses estivales. El indice UV, que se alcanza en las horas centrales del dia, oscilo entre valores maximos de 7-8 durante los meses estivales y valores de 1-2 en los meses de invierno. Las relaciones de dosis PAR/UVA no varian a lo largo del ano, aunque la relacion UVB/UVA y UVB/PAR sigue un patron anual de variacion con valores maximos en los meses estivales, mientras que los valores mas bajos se obtuvieron durante los meses invernales. Conclusiones Estos datos confirman que en la provincia de Malaga, en los meses estivales existen niveles muy altos de radiacion UVA, UVB y PAR, por lo que es de suma importancia adoptar medidas especificas de fotoproteccion en esta epoca para evitar tanto las quemaduras a corto plazo, como la fotocarcinogenesis y el fotoenvejecimiento a largo plazo.