Sandra Mara Woranovicz Barreira

Photodynamic effect of meso-(aryl)porphyrins and meso-(1-methyl-4-pyridinium)porphyrins on HaCaT keratinocytes

Sixteen porphyrins, including neutral, anionic and cationic meso-(aryl)porphyrins and meso-(1-methyl-4-pyridinium)porphyrins were herein evaluated in terms of their photosensitizing properties against HaCaT keratinocytes. After an initial screening, the cationic porphyrins were studied in more details, by both determining their log POW and performing PDT assays in lower porphyrin concentrations. Porphyrins presenting two or more adjacent positively charged groups, directly linked to the macrocycle meso positions, appeared to be the most effective photosensitizers. The present study also included the dicationic 5,10-diphenyl-15,20-di(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (14b), which has previously shown promising results on a psoriasis-like in vivo model. Overall results indicated that the beneficial effect related to porphyrins on psoriasis can be related to the decreasing of keratinocyte viability. Furthermore, some of the cationic porphyrins studied appeared as candidates to be utilized as photosensitizers for psoriasis treatment.

Investigation of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities promoted by photoactivated cationic porphyrin

BACKGROUND Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a technique that uses light and a photosensitizer, converting local molecular oxygen into singlet oxygen, which eliminates a target unhealthy tissue. It has been increasingly used for the treatment of several diseases including skin disorders. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease expressing immune and hyperproliferative features. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the photosensitizer 5,10-diphenyl-15,20-di(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (Di-cis-Py+) in in vivo models whereby some psoriasis-like parameters could be investigated. METHODS The antiinflammation and antiproliferative activities of Di-cis-Py+ photoactivated was measured by myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) enzyme activity assay, measurement of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels, evaluation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) levels by immunohistochemistry and by Western blot. RESULTS Treatment involving PDT and Di-cis-Py+ resulted in reduction of edema, cellular infiltration, proinflammatory cytokines, as well as reduced hyperproliferation of the epidermis. All the evaluated parameters were promoted by topical application of phlogistic agents and are similar to that observed in lesions of psoriatic skin. CONCLUSION The results shows the advantage of topical application, do not cause apparently photosensitivity and have effects comparable to dexamethasone, a first-line drug for the treatment of the disease.

Implicações da pouca preocupação e percepção familiar no sobrepeso infantil no município de Curitiba, PR, Brasil

Resumo O presente trabalho propos relacionar o sobrepeso infantil com a percepcao familiar da silhueta da crianca e a preocupacao com o excesso de peso na infância. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com criancas de 20 a 48 meses de idade usuarias de Unidades de Saude ou centros de ensino infantil de Curitiba, no periodo de junho a dezembro de 2014. Fez-se uso de questionario para coletar dados referentes a renda familiar, peso, altura, percepcao da silhueta da crianca e verificar a preocupacao com o excesso de peso. O sobrepeso e a obesidade nao foram percebidos corretamente pelos responsaveis (kappa =0,11) e grande parte destes nao sabiam o peso e altura da criancas e nem estavam preocupados com excesso de peso. Na populacao estudada, as criancas de familias de menor renda apresentaram mais chance de desenvolver sobrepeso na infância (p = 0,02). Se faz necessario investir na sensibilizacao das familias, pois e de extrema importância a atencao a obesidade desde a infância prevenindo assim novos casos e evitando agravos na vida adulta.The scope of this study was to relate child obesity with the familys perception of the childs silhouettes and concern with excess weight in childhood A cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged between 20 and 48 months who frequent Health Units or are preschoolers in the city of Curitiba from June to December 2014. A questionnaire was used to collect data relating to family income, weight, height, perception of child silhouettes and assess concern about obesity by parents. Overweight and obesity was not correctly perceived by relations (kappa = 0,11) and the vast majority of parents did not know the childs height and weight and were not even concerned with childhood obesity. In the population studied, children from lower income family were more likely to suffer from overweight in childhood (p = 0,02). It is necessary to invest in the sensitization of families, since it is extremely important to pay attention to obesity from childhood onwards, thus preventing new cases and avoiding problems in adult life.