Environmental risk factors and epigenetic alternations in psoriasis

Introduction and objective. Psoriasis isa quite common, chronic and immune-mediated skin disorder. The prevalence of psoriasis differs in various countries, but it is said to affect 2% of the world’s population in general. Psoriasis has many different clinical features but all lesions have the same characteristic: erythema, thickening and scale, although other clinical features are also connected, such as psoriatic arthritis, obesity and metabolic syndrome. All of these may lead to conditions impairing the quality of life. This review is an attempt to summarize recent data regarding environmental factors, together with epigenetic markers and processes playing an important role in psoriasis. State of knowledge. Many different environmental factors play a role in genetically predisposed patients. This is causes epigenetic alternations which may be a linking part in the whole process. Many studies have indicated a connection between psoriasis and various genes and antigens. The presence of HLA-Cw6 is common as well a strong link between its presence and the onset of psoriasis being observed. The main alternations are DNA methylation, histone’s modifications and the role of microRNA. Excessive reaction is usually not present without a triggering factor. Environmental factors are mostly rated, such as drugs, life style and habits (smoking, alcohol), diet, physical trauma (skin injury provoking Koebner phenomenon), stress, microorganism and infections. Conclusions. The correlation between pathogenesis of psoriasis and environmental risk factors, together with epigenetic alternations still require more investigation. Education about diet habits, nutrition, weight loss and healthy lifestyle seems to be important during the treatment of psoriasis

Effect of deoxynivalenol on the levels of toll-like receptors 2 and 9 and their mRNA expression in enterocytes in the porcine large intestine: a preliminary study

Deoxynivalenol (DON), one of the most prevalent mycotoxins in the world, and is capable of inducing immune disorders in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of feed contaminated with DON on the number of TLR2- and TLR9-positive cells and their mRNA expression in the porcine large intestine. The experiment was conducted on two equal groups of pigs (n=4). The experimental group (E) was administered feed contaminated with DON (1008 μg/kg of feed) for 6 weeks, and the control group (C) was administered non-contaminated feed over the same period of time. A decrease in the expression of TLR2 mRNA was noted in the cecum. The percentage of TLR9-positive enterocytes increased in the ascending colon and decreased in the cecum. The results of this study indicate that DON can modify the local immune response by changing the expression of TLRs

Multi-mycotoxicosis

Contamination of food and feeds with mycotoxins is a major problem of human and animal's health concern, and it is also extremely detrimental to economy. Mycotoxin-producing moulds may produce the most known mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins, ochratoxin, trichothecenes, zearalenone and fumonisin. Although toxicological, environmental and epidemiological studies have addressed the problem of these toxins one by one, more than one mycotoxin is found usually in the same contaminated commodities. That raises the incommensurable problem of multi-mycotoxicosis in which the respective metabolites are also involved. These mycotoxins bear potential toxicity leading to acute and chronic effects in humans and animals, depending on species. The mechanisms that lead to toxic effects, such as immune toxicity and carcinogenicity, are complex. The risk assessment for humans potentially exposed to multi-mycotoxins suffers very much from the lack of adequate food consumption data. Furthermore, for a given mycotoxin additive, synergism and antagonism with other mycotoxins found in the same food commodities are usually not taken into account

The effect of exogenous proteases on selected hematological and serum biochemical parameters in boars

The increasing interest in enzymatic growth promoters prompted this investigation of the effect of an enzymatic stimulating complex on selected hematological and serum biochemical parameters in boars. The enzymatic complex [five proteases (proteinases-endopeptidases) and two peptidases (exopeptidases) obtained by fermentation from Streptomyces fradiae] was added to diets for three months, at initial doses of 90 (group El) and 120 (group E2) g/ton feed for the first seven days followed by 40 and 60 g/ton, respectively, in the subsequent weeks. The evaluation was based on selected hematological (RBC, WBC, HCT (Ht), HGB (Hb), MCV, MCH, and MCHC) and biochemical (AST, ALT, AP, Ca, Mg, urea, cholesterol, creatinine, inorganic phosphorus, and oxyglucose) parameters determined before and after the experimental period. The reported values were within physiological norms. Statistical differences were found between experimental groups with respect to WBC, HCT (Ht), MCV, MCH, AP, Ca, Mg, creatinine, and inorganic phosphorus. The study results indicate that the complex of proteolytic enzymes administered to boars caused no negative changes in their metabolic profiles. The statistically different hematological and serum biochemical parameters, while within normal limits, point to an early stage of microcytic anemia and heightened agitation that could be the result of intensified nitrogen metabolism

Influence of zearalenone on selected biochemical parameters in juvenile rainbow trout ( Oncorhynhus mykiss)

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycoestrogen frequently found in food and animal feed materials all over the world. Despite its hydrophobic character, ZEA is also found in surface and ground waters which suggests an environmental risk for aquatic animals. Knowledge concerning mycotoxin-related mechanisms of toxicity is still incomplete, e.g. little is known about the influence of ZEA exposure on fish. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ZEA on selected biochemical parameters in juvenile rainbow trout after 24, 72, and 168 h of intraperitoneal exposure (10 mg/kg of body weight). The analysis showed a slight tendency towards prolonged blood clotting time and significant iron deficiency in the liver and ovary of exposed animals. However, no differences in aminotransferase (AlaAT, AspAT) activity or glucose levels in fish plasma was observed. The results of this study suggest that although trout exposed to ZEA did not exhibit any distinct symptoms of liver damage, the mycotoxin tested was able interfere with blood coagulation and iron-storage processes

Evaluation of selected serum biochemical and haematological parameters in gilts exposed per os to 100 ppb of zearalenone

Zearalenone (ZEN) widely contaminates animal feed of plant origin. The recommended safe concentrations of ZEN in feeds for various animal species are set mainly based on the mycotoxin’s hormonal properties (NOEL). Our growing knowledge about biologically active concentrations of ZEN, molecular mechanisms and cells/tissues targeted by ZEN indicates that the harmful effects exerted by this mycotoxin on animals may be far greater than previously believed. This experiment was performed on pre-pubertal gilts divided into a control group (n=9) and an experimental group (ZEN, n=9). The control group received placebo, whereas the experimental group was administered ZEN at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg feed (equivalent to 5 μg/kg BW/day) for 42 days. On days 14, 28 and 42 blood samples were collected from the animals to determine the concentrations of selected zearalenols, serum biochemical and haematological parameters. Conjugated ZEN was found in the blood serum of the experimental gilts. Changes in the analysed biochemical parameters included a transient increase in albumin and cholesterol levels. A statistically significant increase in the concentrations of neutrophilic and acidophilic granulocytes was observed in the white blood cell system. The results indicate that long-term per os exposure of pre-pubertal gilts to low doses of ZEN (below NOEL) has a modulatory effect on liver function and white blood cells