Psoriasis is a disorder caused by genetic and immunological factors. Leptin, a peptide hormone secreted predominantly from adipose tissue, regulates energy intake and expenditure, as well as the T-helper response. There have been conflicting reports regarding serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in patients with psoriasis. In the present study, we measured serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in Korean patients with psoriasis. Twenty-four patients with psoriasis and fifteen control subjects were included in the study. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined by an immunometric sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean serum leptin concentration in patients with psoriasis was higher than in controls, and the difference was statistically significant. In contrast, serum adiponectin levels in patients with psoriasis were significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. Leptin levels in vitamin D-deficient patients were statistically significantly higher than in vitamin D-sufficient patients. Serum adiponectin concentrations showed a negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) in patients with psoriasis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that leptin and adiponectin may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis and may be useful biomarkers indicating severity of psoriasis in Korean patients.

To demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of Aronia melanocarpa fruit extract, human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the effects of aronia bioactive fraction (ABF^®), anthocyanin enriched extract from the fruit of A. melanocarpa, were evaluated. Following pretreatment with ABF^® at 10–25 µg /mL, BEAS-2B cells were exposed to LPS and the expression of inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted [RANTES], IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2], and inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS]) was analyzed. In LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B cells, ABF^® pretreatment significantly decreased the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, RANTES, IL-1β, and COX-2 at doses of 10 and 25 µg/mL. ABF^® also attenuated the secretion of TNF- α, IL-6, IL-8, and RANTES protein, as demonstrated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot analyses revealed the decreased expression of COX-2 and iNOS following ABF^® treatment. ROS production was decreased, and the cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 and S phases following ABF^® pretreatment. Our results suggest that ABF^® may have potential as a nutraceutical agent for the suppression of airway inflammation.

This review explores the dual role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, aiming to deepen our understanding of these processes through a systematic literature review. To assess the induction and involvement of ROS in endometriosis, we conducted a comprehensive literature review using Cochrane Libraries, EMBASE, Google Scholar, PubMed, and SCOPUS databases. Of 30 qualifying papers ultimately reviewed, 28 reported a significant contribution of ROS to the pathogenesis of endometriosis, while two found no association. The presence of ROS in endometriosis is associated with infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, painful menstruation, and chronic pelvic discomfort. Among individual ROS types studied, hydrogen peroxide was most frequently investigated, followed by lipid peroxides and superoxide radicals. Notable polymorphisms associated with ROS in endometriosis include those for AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) and quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) isoforms. Key enzymes for ROS scavenging and detoxification include superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase. Effective inhibitors of ROS related to endometriosis are vitamins C and E, astaxanthin, fatty acid-binding protein 4, cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria), osteopontin, sphingosine 1-phosphate, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, catalase, and a high-antioxidant diet. Elevated levels of ROS and free radicals are involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, suggesting that targeting these molecules could offer potential therapeutic strategies.

The KRAS G12D mutation is the most prevalent type of pancreatic cancer and is found in about 35% of patients. Numerous natural chemicals are frequently investigated in cancer treatment to decrease side effects. Resveratrol (RVT) is a polyphenol that can promote cancer cell apoptosis and improve chemotherapy efficacy in cancers. To enhance delivery rate and efficacy, the size of about 30 nm gold nanoparticles (GNPs) was synthesized and conjugated to resveratrol via polyvinylpyrrolidone (GRs) for high bioavailability. Compared to RVT and GNPs, GRs had less inflammatory response and less toxicity on RAW 264.7 cells. This suggests that the toxicity of resveratrol can be alleviated by conjugation with gold nanoparticles. The viability of the human pancreatic cancer cell line (AsPC-1) decreased in sequence of GRs > RVT > GNPs, suggesting an enhanced anticancer effect of the GRs compared to resveratrol (RVT) alone. In addition, the extent of apoptosis was much bigger with GRs compared to RVT and GNPs. The apoptotic effects were confirmed with cell cycle arrest and expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins. Thus, GRs had a better extent of anticancer effect than RVT, suggesting that GRs be considered as one of the prospective anti-cancer drugs for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Fungal biofilms are the most important virulence factors of onychomycosis. However, traditional antifungal therapies lack antibiofilm efficacy. Although neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser is one of the most common laser therapies used for onychomycosis, its usage is restricted to aesthetic endpoints. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the antibiofilm activity of Nd:YAG against Trichophyton rubrum (NCCP 22456) and Candida albicans (NCCP 32703) biofilms. Biofilms were subjected to Nd:YAG (fluence 200 mJ/cm ² , pulse duration, 0.1 ms; spot size, 1.5 mm; frequency, 30 Hz) for cumulative time periods (0, 10, 20, and 60 s). Biofilm biomass, cell viability, and metabolic activity were assessed using crystal violet staining, colony counting, and tetrazolium salt (2,3-bis [2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide; XTT) assay, respectively. Biofilm ultrastructure was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biofilm biomass significantly decreased after 10 s of laser irradiation in T. rubrum and C. albicans ( P < 0.01) , reaching maximum reductions of 77.1% and 58.1% after 60 s, respectively. Colony counts decreased by 66.0% for T. rubrum and 82.2% (0.75 log) for C. albicans ; however, these reductions remained below 1 log (<90%), indicating limited viability inhibition. Metabolic activity significantly decreased after 10 s in both strains ( P < 0.01), reaching a 45.1% reduction in T. rubrum and 72.5% in C. albicans after 60 s. SEM imaging showed damaged hyphae and extracellular matrix in T. rubrum , and shrunken and broken spores in C. albicans . Overall, Nd:YAG effectively inhibited biofilm biomass, metabolic activity, and structural integrity but had a limited effect on reducing biofilm viability. IMPORTANCE: This study assessed the effects of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser irradiation on Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans biofilms, including changes in biomass, viability, metabolic activity, and structure. Regarding T. rubrum , no previous in vitro study has comprehensively reported on these specific parameters following Nd:YAG exposure. Existing in vitro studies on T. rubrum have only assessed the “fungicidal” efficacy of the Nd:YAG laser; the most common method has been measuring the difference in “colony diameter” between irradiated and non-irradiated colonies, followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of damaged hyphae. For C. albicans , only one study has examined biofilm viability and ultrastructural changes after Nd:YAG irradiation. Therefore, in accordance with recent recommendations for biofilm research, we conducted a thorough assessment of the laser’s antibiofilm activity. The antibiofilm efficacy of the Nd:YAG laser alone was suboptimal, supporting its potential use as an adjunctive therapy rather than a standalone treatment.

Ahn HJ, et al. Ann Dermatol. 2025 Dec;38:e13. https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.25.101