RESUMEN

Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), containing perfluorinated surfactants, can reach the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the ecotoxicity of AFFF, according to the type of fire to be fought (A1: 1.05 g.L- 1, A2: 3.15 g.L- 1 and A3: 6.30 g.L- 1), to bioindicators of different trophic levels. For Artemia salina a toxic effect was observed at sample A1 (at concentrations of 100%), A2 (at concentrations above 25%) and A3 (at concentrations above 12.5%). For Lactuca sativa all samples affected the number of germinated seeds, speed and percentage of germination and root length. To the Eisenia fetida earthworm, samples A2 and A3 were considered toxic due to the percent avoidance being 70% and 100%, respectively. In Macaca mullata renal cell culture test, none of the samples were toxic by the MTT test. Therefore, it is necessary to develop methods for the safe use of AFFF by professionals.

Asunto(s)

Artemia , Tensoactivos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Animales , Tensoactivos/toxicidad , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/toxicidad , Artemia/efectos de los fármacos , Oligoquetos/efectos de los fármacos , Incendios , Lactuca/efectos de los fármacos , Lactuca/crecimiento & desarrollo , Fluorocarburos/toxicidad , Pruebas de Toxicidad

RESUMEN

Aim: The present study investigated the antimicrobial effectiveness of a rhamnolipid complexed with arginine (RLMIX_Arg) against planktonic cells and biofilms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methodology: Susceptibility testing was performed using the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute protocol: M07-A10, checkerboard test, biofilm in plates and catheters and flow cytometry were used. Result: RLMIX_Arg has bactericidal and synergistic activity with oxacillin. RLMIX_Arg inhibits the formation of MRSA biofilms on plates at sub-inhibitory concentrations and has antibiofilm action against MRSA in peripheral venous catheters. Catheters impregnated with RLMIX_Arg reduce the formation of MRSA biofilms. Conclusion: RLMIX_Arg exhibits potential for application in preventing infections related to methicillin-resistant S. aureus biofilms.

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[Box: see text].

Asunto(s)

Antibacterianos , Arginina , Biopelículas , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente a Meticilina , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Tensoactivos , Biopelículas/efectos de los fármacos , Biopelículas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente a Meticilina/efectos de los fármacos , Arginina/farmacología , Arginina/química , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Antibacterianos/química , Humanos , Tensoactivos/farmacología , Tensoactivos/química , Glucolípidos/farmacología , Glucolípidos/química , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/microbiología , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/prevención & control , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/tratamiento farmacológico , Oxacilina/farmacología , Sinergismo Farmacológico

RESUMEN

Assessing membrane protein stability is among the major challenges in protein science due to their inherent complexity, which complicates the application of conventional biophysical tools. In this work, sodium dodecyl sulfate-induced denaturation of AfCopA, a Cu(I)-transport ATPase from Archaeoglobus fulgidus, was explored using a combined model-free spectral phasor analysis and a model-dependent thermodynamic analysis. Decrease in tryptophan and 1-anilino-naphthalene-8-sulfonate fluorescence intensity, displacements in the spectral phasor space, and the loss of ATPase activity were reversibly induced by this detergent. Refolding from the SDS-induced denatured state yields an active enzyme that is functionally and spectroscopically indistinguishable from the native state of the protein. Phasor analysis of Trp spectra allowed us to identify two intermediate states in the SDS-induced denaturation of AfCopA, a result further supported by principal component analysis. In contrast, traditional thermodynamic analysis detected only one intermediate state, and including the second one led to overparameterization. Additionally, ANS fluorescence spectral analysis detected one more intermediate and a gradual change at the level of the hydrophobic transmembrane surface of the protein. Based on this evidence, a model for acquiring the native structure of AfCopA in a membrane-like environment is proposed.

Asunto(s)

Archaeoglobus fulgidus , Proteínas de la Membrana , Desnaturalización Proteica , Dodecil Sulfato de Sodio , Termodinámica , Dodecil Sulfato de Sodio/química , Dodecil Sulfato de Sodio/farmacología , Archaeoglobus fulgidus/enzimología , Proteínas de la Membrana/química , Proteínas de la Membrana/metabolismo , Adenosina Trifosfatasas/química , Adenosina Trifosfatasas/metabolismo , Espectrometría de Fluorescencia , Estabilidad Proteica , Proteínas Arqueales/química , Proteínas Arqueales/metabolismo , Naftalenosulfonatos de Anilina/química , Naftalenosulfonatos de Anilina/metabolismo , Triptófano/química , Triptófano/metabolismo , Cobre/química , Cobre/metabolismo , Pliegue de Proteína , Conformación Proteica

RESUMEN

Las enfermedades pulmonares intersticiales son patologías poco frecuentes en pediatría. Dentro de ellas, se incluyen las disfunciones del metabolismo del surfactante pulmonar, molécula anfipática cuya función es disminuir la tensión superficial y evitar el colapso alveolar. Se presenta el caso de un lactante de 6 meses, en seguimiento por bajo peso, que presentó dificultad respiratoria aguda y cianosis; la radiografía de tórax evidenció infiltrado intersticial, neumomediastino y neumotórax bilateral. Al interrogatorio, surgió antecedente materno de internación al año de vida, con requerimiento de oxigenoterapia prolongada y diagnóstico desconocido; presenta signos de hipoxia crónica. El paciente cursó internación con requerimiento de oxigenoterapia. Se realizaron estudios complementarios en búsqueda de etiología, sin resultados positivos. La tomografía de tórax evidenció opacidades en vidrio esmerilado, engrosamiento del intersticio septal y áreas de atrapamiento aéreo; con resultado de biopsia pulmonar y estudio genético se llegó al diagnóstico de disfunción del metabolismo del surfactante pulmonar.

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Interstitial lung diseases are rare in pediatrics. They include dysfunctions in the metabolism of pulmonary surfactant, an amphipathic molecule that reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse. Here we describe the case of a 6-month-old infant controlled for low weight, who presented with acute respiratory distress and cyanosis; his chest X-ray showed interstitial infiltrate, pneumomediastinum, and bilateral pneumothorax. During history-taking, it was noted that his mother had a history of hospitalization at 1 year old with unknown diagnosis, requiring prolonged oxygen therapy; she now shows signs of chronic hypoxia. The patient was hospitalized and required oxygen therapy. Ancillary tests were done to look for the etiology of the condition, with no positive results. A chest computed tomography showed groundglass opacities, thickening of the septal interstitium, and areas of air trapping; based on the results of a lung biopsy and a genetic study, pulmonary surfactant metabolism dysfunction was diagnosed.

Asunto(s)

Humanos , Lactante , Surfactantes Pulmonares , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/etiología , Oxígeno , Radiografía

RESUMEN

Myrcene (ß-myrcene), found in essential oils from plant species such as hops and cannabis, has many advantageous properties, but its use is limited due to volatility and low solubility in water. One way to circumvent these limitations is to encapsulate the essential oils in a polymer matrix. However, these hydrophobic molecules are difficult to quantify when dispersed in water. Seeking to study the release of this terpene in drug release tests from polymeric matrices, this work aimed to develop an easy and cheap UV spectrophotometric method for the quantification of ß-myrcene in aqueous medium. To achieves this goal, samples were prepared in 0.05% (w/v) polysorbate 80 solution, with concentrations of ß-myrcene ranging from 0.01% to 0.1% (v/v), and were analyzed at 226 nm. Each sample was analyzed in triplicate and repeated on three different days, to evaluate the repeatability of the results. The results were subjected to Q, F and Student's t-tests. The regression parameters obtained for ß-myrcene were above 0.99 and through statistical analysis, it was possible to confirm the repeatability for the results. The values of the limits of detection and quantification indicated that the method is not affected by intrinsic factors of the equipment. The results of accuracy, robustness and selectivity showed recovery rates within acceptable limits. This demonstrates that the quantification of ß-myrcene in aqueous medium by UV spectrophotometry is feasible.

Asunto(s)

Quitosano , Espectrofotometría Ultravioleta , Agua , Espectrofotometría Ultravioleta/métodos , Agua/química , Quitosano/química , Monoterpenos Acíclicos/análisis , Monoterpenos Acíclicos/química , Alquenos/análisis , Alquenos/química , Polisorbatos/química , Polisorbatos/análisis , Solubilidad , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Aceites Volátiles/análisis , Aceites Volátiles/química

RESUMEN

Interstitial lung diseases are rare in pediatrics. They include dysfunctions in the metabolism of pulmonary surfactant, an amphipathic molecule that reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse. Here we describe the case of a 6-month-old infant controlled for low weight, who presented with acute respiratory distress and cyanosis; his chest X-ray showed interstitial infiltrate, pneumomediastinum, and bilateral pneumothorax. During history-taking, it was noted that his mother had a history of hospitalization at 1 year old with unknown diagnosis, requiring prolonged oxygen therapy; she now shows signs of chronic hypoxia. The patient was hospitalized and required oxygen therapy. Ancillary tests were done to look for the etiology of the condition, with no positive results. A chest computed tomography showed groundglass opacities, thickening of the septal interstitium, and areas of air trapping; based on the results of a lung biopsy and a genetic study, pulmonary surfactant metabolism dysfunction was diagnosed.

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Las enfermedades pulmonares intersticiales son patologías poco frecuentes en pediatría. Dentro de ellas, se incluyen las disfunciones del metabolismo del surfactante pulmonar, molécula anfipática cuya función es disminuir la tensión superficial y evitar el colapso alveolar. Se presenta el caso de un lactante de 6 meses, en seguimiento por bajo peso, que presentó dificultad respiratoria aguda y cianosis; la radiografía de tórax evidenció infiltrado intersticial, neumomediastino neumotórax bilateral. Al interrogatorio, surgió antecedente materno de internación al año de vida, con requerimiento de oxigenoterapia prolongada y diagnóstico desconocido; presenta signos de hipoxia crónica. El paciente cursó internación con requerimiento de oxigenoterapia. Se realizaron estudios complementarios en búsqueda de etiología, sin resultados positivos. La tomografía de tórax evidenció opacidades en vidrio esmerilado, engrosamiento del intersticio septal y áreas de atrapamiento aéreo; con resultado de biopsia pulmonar y estudio genético se llegó al diagnóstico de disfunción del metabolismo del surfactante pulmonar.

Asunto(s)

Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales , Surfactantes Pulmonares , Lactante , Femenino , Humanos , Niño , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/etiología , Radiografía , Oxígeno

RESUMEN

The antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of arginine-based surfactants have been evaluated. These two biological properties depend on both the alkyl chain length and the spacer chain nature. These gemini surfactants exhibit good activity against a wide range of bacteria, including some problematic resistant microorganisms such us methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, surfactants with a C10 alkyl chain and C3 spacer inhibit the (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation at concentrations as low as 8 µg/mL and are able to eradicate established biofilms of these two bacteria at 32 µg/mL. The inhibitory activities of the surfactants over key enzymes enrolled in the skin repairing processes (collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase) were evaluated. They exhibited moderate anti-collagenase activity while the activity of hyaluronidase was boosted by the presence of these surfactants. These biological properties render these gemini arginine-based surfactants as perfect promising candidates for pharmaceutical and biological properties.

Asunto(s)

Antiinfecciosos , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente a Meticilina , Hialuronoglucosaminidasa , Antiinfecciosos/farmacología , Arginina , Biopelículas , Elastasa Pancreática , Pseudomonas aeruginosa

RESUMEN

Amino-acid-based surfactants are a group of compounds that resemble natural amphiphiles and thus are expected to have a low impact on the environment, owing to either the mode of surfactant production or its means of disposal. Within this context, arginine-based tensioactives have gained particular interest, since their cationic nature-in combination with their amphiphilic character-enables them to act as broad-spectrum biocides. This capability is based mainly on their interactive affinity for the microbial envelope that alters the latter's structure and ultimately its function. In the work reported here, we investigated the efficiency of Nα-benzoyl arginine decyl- and dodecylamide against Candida spp. to further our understanding of the antifungal mechanism involved. For the assays, both a Candida albicans and a Candida tropicalis clinical isolates along with a C. albicans-collection strain were used as references. As expected, both arginine-based compounds proved to be effective against the strains tested through inhibiting both the planktonic and the sessile growth. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy techniques and lipid monolayer experiments enabled us to gain insight into the effect of the surfactant on the cellular envelope. The results demonstrated that all the yeasts treated exhibited changes in their exomorphologic structure, with respect to alterations in both roughness and stiffness, relative to the nontreated ones. This finding-in addition to the amphiphiles' proven ability to insert themselves within this model fungal membrane-could explain the changes in the yeast-membrane permeability that could be linked to viability loss and mixed-vesicle release.

Asunto(s)

Candida , Tensoactivos , Tensoactivos/farmacología , Arginina/farmacología , Antifúngicos/farmacología , Antifúngicos/química , Candida albicans , Biopelículas , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana

RESUMEN

Treating domestic wastewater has become more and more complicated due to the high content of different types of detergents. In this context, advanced electro-oxidation (AEO) has become a powerful tool for complex wastewater remediation. The electrochemical degradation of surfactants present in domestic wastewater was carried out using a DiaClean® cell in a recirculation system equipped with boron-doped diamond (BDD) as the anode and stainless steel as the cathode. The effect of recirculation flow (1.5, 4.0 and 7.0 L min-1) and the applied current density (j = 7, 14, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mA cm-2) was studied. The degradation was followed by the concentration of surfactants, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and turbidity. pH value, conductivity, temperature, sulfates, nitrates, phosphates, and chlorides were also evaluated. Toxicity assays were studied through evaluating Chlorella sp. performance at 0, 3, and 7 h of treatment. Finally, the mineralization was followed by total organic carbon (TOC) under optimal operating conditions. The results showed that applying j = 14 mA cm-2 and a flow rate of 1.5 L min-1 during 7 h of electrolysis were the best conditions for the efficient mineralization of wastewater, achieving the removal of 64.7% of surfactants, 48.7% of COD, 24.9% of turbidity, and 44.9% of mineralization analyzed by the removal of TOC. The toxicity assays showed that Chlorella microalgae were unable to grow in AEO-treated wastewater (cellular density: 0 × 104 cells ml-1 after 3- and 7-h treatments). Finally, the energy consumption was analyzed, and the operating cost of 1.40 USD m-3 was calculated. Therefore, this technology allows for the degradation of complex and stable molecules such as surfactants in real and complex wastewater, if toxicity is not taken into account.

RESUMEN

Certain emerging pollutants are among the most widely used chemicals globally, causing widespread concern in relation to their use in products devoted to cleaniness and asepsis. Nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEOn) is one such contaminant, along with its degradation product, nonylphenol, an active ingredient presents in nonionic surfactants used as herbicides, cosmetics, paints, plastics, disinfectants, and detergents. These chemicals and their metabolites are commonly found in environmental matrices. Nonylphenol and NPEOn, used, are particularly concerning, given their role as endocrine disruptors chemical and possible neurotoxic effects recorded in several biological models, primarily aquatic organisms. Limiting and detecting these compounds remain of paramount importance. The objective of the present review was to evaluate the toxic effects of nonylphenol and NPEOn in different biological models. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1439-1450. © 2023 SETAC.

Asunto(s)

Disruptores Endocrinos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Disruptores Endocrinos/toxicidad , Fenoles/análisis , Modelos Biológicos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/toxicidad

RESUMEN

Abstract Objective: Among the mechanisms proposed for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the increase in the pulmonary inflammatory process and oxidative stress. Thus, the control of this process may result in improvements in bronchopulmonary dysplasia-related outcomes. This study aims to analyze the current scientific evidence regarding the use of budesonide, a potent anti-inflammatory drug, associated with a pulmonary surfactant to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed on the Embase and MEDLINE platforms, and studies that compared budesonide with pulmonary surfactant versus pulmonary surfactant for treating respiratory distress syndrome were included. The primary outcome was a reduction in bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death. Results: Four randomized clinical trials and two observational studies were included in this systematic review. Three of the randomized clinical trials found a reduction in bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death in the use of budesonide with the surfactant, all the other studies (1 clinical trial and 2 observational studies) found no statistical differences between the groups for the primary outcomes. The three main studies showed a reduction in the primary outcome; however, all studies showed great heterogeneity regarding the type of surfactant (poractant or beractant) and the method of administration. Conclusion: Robust clinical studies, in a heterogeneous population, using porcine surfactant associated with budesonide, with administration by a minimally invasive technique are necessary for there to be a recommendation based on scientific evidence for its widespread use.

RESUMEN

Microemulsions are important for soil and sediment remediation technology. The characteristics of the surfactants that make up these microemulsions include low sorption into soil or sediments, low surface and interfacial tension, the ability to penetrate tiny pores, and good solubilization of contaminants. This review revealed that microemulsions formulated with nonionic and anionic surfactants have higher recovery efficiencies for hydrophobic contaminants than cationic ones, as evidenced by the surveyed studies reporting effective remediation of soils and sediments using on microemulsions. These microemulsified systems have been found to remove petroleum and its derivatives from soil or sediments at percentages ranging from 40 to 100%. As such, this review can aid with the choice of surfactants used in microemulsions for remediation, such as those with plant-based components, which are promising solutions for the remediation of contaminated soils due to their contaminant extraction efficiency and biodegradability.

Asunto(s)

Petróleo , Contaminantes del Suelo , Tensoactivos/química , Suelo , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisis , Contaminación Ambiental

RESUMEN

The octanol-water partition coefficient of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) was investigated using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations via thermodynamic integration and multistate Bennett acceptance ratio methods. The GAFF and CHARMM36 force fields were used with six water models widely used in molecular dynamics simulations. The OPC4 water model provided the best agreement with the experimental octanol-water partition coefficient of DPPC using the two force fields. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement in water models with correct estimation of surface tension that uses better and suitable non-bonded interaction parameters between water-water and water-DPPC. The Gibbs free energy of transferring DPPC from octanol to water phase was calculated to be 19.8 ± 0.3 and 20.2 ± 0.3 kcal mol-1, giving a partition coefficient of 14.5 ± 0.4 and 14.8 ± 0.3 for the GAFF and CHARMM36 force fields, respectively. This study reinforces the importance of developing new water models that reproduce experimental surface tensions to reconcile the water-water and water-DPPC non-bonded interactions and the existing discrepancy between experimental measurements of amphiphilic molecules that are important in many areas of scientific applications and industry such as biophysics, surfactant, colloids, membranes, medicine, nanotechnology, and food and pharmaceutical industries, and so on. It raises two important open questions: Is the experimental octanol-water partition coefficient of DPPC reliable? Or is its calculation accurate using the OPC4 water model? With respect to the experimental measurements, there may be non-treated aspects such as the formation of aggregates in aqueous phase and limit of detection of the applied method. And, in the calculation, some effects are not possible to be considered in a correct way or viable time such as calculating quantum effects, sampling all conformations, considering phase transitions, and correctly evaluating the intermolecular forces to estimate an accurate surface tension.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Asunto(s)

Simulación de Dinámica Molecular , Agua , 1,2-Dipalmitoilfosfatidilcolina , Octanoles , Termodinámica

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Among the mechanisms proposed for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the increase in the pulmonary inflammatory process and oxidative stress. Thus, the control of this process may result in improvements in bronchopulmonary dysplasia-related outcomes. This study aims to analyze the current scientific evidence regarding the use of budesonide, a potent anti-inflammatory drug, associated with a pulmonary surfactant to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed on the Embase and MEDLINE platforms, and studies that compared budesonide with pulmonary surfactant versus pulmonary surfactant for treating respiratory distress syndrome were included. The primary outcome was a reduction in bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death. RESULTS: Four randomized clinical trials and two observational studies were included in this systematic review. Three of the randomized clinical trials found a reduction in bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death in the use of budesonide with the surfactant, all the other studies (1 clinical trial and 2 observational studies) found no statistical differences between the groups for the primary outcomes. The three main studies showed a reduction in the primary outcome; however, all studies showed great heterogeneity regarding the type of surfactant (poractant or beractant) and the method of administration. CONCLUSION: Robust clinical studies, in a heterogeneous population, using porcine surfactant associated with budesonide, with administration by a minimally invasive technique are necessary for there to be a recommendation based on scientific evidence for its widespread use.

Asunto(s)

Displasia Broncopulmonar , Surfactantes Pulmonares , Síndrome de Dificultad Respiratoria del Recién Nacido , Humanos , Animales , Porcinos , Recién Nacido , Budesonida/uso terapéutico , Displasia Broncopulmonar/tratamiento farmacológico , Displasia Broncopulmonar/prevención & control , Tensoactivos/uso terapéutico , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto

RESUMEN

Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) has remained a latent alternative resource to be the main substitute for oil and its derivatives in a biorefinery concept. However, its complex structure and the underdeveloped technologies for its large-scale processing keep it in a state of constant study trying to establish a consolidated process. In intensive processes, enzymes have been shown to be important molecules for the fractionation and conversion of LCB into biofuels and high-value-added molecules. However, operational challenges must be overcome before enzyme technology can be the main resource for obtaining second-generation sugars. The use of additives is shown to be a suitable strategy to improve the saccharification process. This review describes the mechanisms, roles, and effects of using additives, such as surfactants, biosurfactants, and non-catalytic proteins, separately and integrated into the enzymatic hydrolysis process of lignocellulosic biomass. In doing so, it provides a technical background in which operational biomass processing hurdles such as solids and enzymatic loadings, pretreatment burdens, and the unproductive adsorption phenomenon can be addressed.

Asunto(s)

Lignina , Tensoactivos , Lignina/química , Fermentación , Biomasa , Hidrólisis , Biocombustibles

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: In inflammatory respiratory diseases, the imbalance between proteases and endogenous protease inhibitors leads to an exacerbated activity of human neutrophil elastase (a protease that destroys the extracellular matrix and stimulates proinflammatory cytokine release). Elastase is considered a target in the search for therapeutic treatments for inflammatory respiratory diseases. Pulmonary surfactant is a promising product for this purpose, because in addition to its biophysical function, it has anti-inflammatory properties. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate effect of the Cuban porcine pulmonary surfactant (Surfacen), the rCmPI-II elastase inhibitor, and the Surfacen/rCmPI-II combination on activated neutrophil elastase activity in vitro, and determine if Surfacen's interface property changes in the presence of the inhibitor. METHODS: The anti-elastase effect of Surfacen, rCmPI-II and the Surfacen/rCmPI-II combination was evaluated in an in vitro model of activated neutrophils, previously purified from the blood of healthy subjects. The cells were stimulated with LPS/fMLP and were incubated with different concentrations of Surfacen, rCmPI-II and the Surfacen/rCmPI-II combination. Elastase activity was measured. The interface property was determined on a Langmuir surface balance. The new index, called the abdominal adipose deposit index, was obtained by multiplying the subcutaneous fat thickness by visceral fat thickness, both measured by ultrasound. A cutoff point was established that facilitated discernment of an unhealthy phenotype: normal weight but metabolically obese, a cardiometabolic risk factor. RESULTS: Surfacen at 10 mg/mL inhibited 71% of stimulated neutrophil elastase activity. rCmPI-II at 0.1 µM reduced 20% of elastase activity; at 200 µM-the maximum concentration evaluated-inhibition was 68%. Both products had a dose-dependent effect. The Surfacen/inhibitor combination (0.5 mg/mL/80 µM) did not affect the surfactant interface property or the inhibitory activity of rCmPI-II against human neutrophil elastase. CONCLUSIONS: Surfacen and the rCmPI-II inhibitor have an anti-elastase effect on an activated neutrophil model. rCmPI-II does not affect Surfacen's interface property and, therefore, both can be evaluated for combined use in treating inflammatory lung diseases.

Asunto(s)

Elastasa de Leucocito , Surfactantes Pulmonares , Animales , Humanos , Antivirales , Elastasa de Leucocito/farmacología , Neutrófilos , Inhibidores de Proteasas/farmacología , Surfactantes Pulmonares/farmacología , Porcinos

RESUMEN

The increasing influence of human activity and industrialization has adversely impacted the environment via pollution with organic contaminants, which are minimally soluble in water. These hydrophobic organopollutants may be present in sediment, water or biota and have created concern due to their toxic effects in mammals. The ability of microorganisms to degrade pollutants makes their use the most effective, inexpensive and ecofriendly method for environmental remediation. Microorganisms have the ability to produce natural surfactants (biosurfactants) that increase the bioavailability of hydrophobic organopollutants, which enables their use as carbon and energy sources. Due to microbial diversity in production, and the biodegradability, nontoxicity, stability and specific activity of the surfactants, the use of microbial surfactants has the potential to overcome problems associated with contamination by hydrophobic organopollutants.This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding microbial surfactant production, mode of action in the biodegradation of hydrophobic organopollutants and biosynthetic pathways as well as their applications using emergent strategy tools to remove organopollutants from the environment. It is also specified for the first time that biosurfactants are produced either as growth-associated products or secondary metabolites, and are produced in different amounts by a wide range of microorganisms.

Asunto(s)

Carbono , Tensoactivos , Animales , Biodegradación Ambiental , Humanos , Interacciones Hidrofóbicas e Hidrofílicas , Mamíferos/metabolismo , Tensoactivos/metabolismo , Agua

RESUMEN

Nifedipine is a potent anti-hypertensive, which is poorly orally bioavailable on account of first-pass metabolism, short half-life, and low water solubility. This study aimed to develop a microemulsified system with low surfactant concentration and to evaluate the influence of microemulsion (ME) phase behavior on skin permeation of nifedipine, as drug model. Thereafter, MEs were obtained using PPG-5-CETETH-20, oleic acid, and phosphate buffer at pH 5.0. The selected MEs were isotropic, with droplet diameters less than 10 nm, polydispersity index < 0.25, and pH between 5.0 and 5.2. MEs presented low viscosity and Newtonian behavior. SAXS results confirmed bicontinuous and oil-in-water (o/w) MEs formation. The presence of the drug promoted only very slight modifications in the ME structure. The MEs presented ability to deliver nifedipine via the transdermal route when in comparison with the control. Nevertheless, the skin permeated and retained amounts from the o/w and bicontinuous formulations did not differ significantly. The ATR-FTIR demonstrated that both formulations promoted fluidization and disorganization of lipids and increased the drug diffusion and partition coefficients in the skin. In conclusion, PPG-5-CETETH-20 MEs obtained proved to be effective skin permeation enhancers, acting by rising the coefficients of partition and diffusion of the nifedipine in the skin.

Asunto(s)

Nifedipino , Piel , Administración Cutánea , Emulsiones/química , Nifedipino/metabolismo , Dispersión del Ángulo Pequeño , Piel/metabolismo , Tensoactivos/química , Agua/química , Difracción de Rayos X

RESUMEN

The ocular irritation potential of products that may come into contact with the eyes should be assessed by the combination of different in vitro alternative methods to determine different mechanisms of toxicity previously evaluated by the Draize in vivo assay. Thus, this study proposed to apply two strategies for the prediction of the eye irritation potential of different concentrations of surfactants and silicones, the first one involving evaluation Hen's Egg Test - Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM), and the other one using Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) followed by histopathological. HET-CAM was considered important in assessing the ocular irritation potential and, despite classifying almost all surfactants as "severe irritants", it could discriminate moderate and slight irritant SLES concentrations as well as Cocoamidopropyl Betaine as a severe irritant, when the coagulation score was taken into consideration. The BCOP assay alone also did not offer a good prediction of the irritant potential of surfactants, since almost all of them were classified as "no prediction can be made". However, the histopathological evaluation of the BCOP corneas was very important for establishing the degree and depth of damage related to reversibility. The present study also showed those strategies are sensitive to small variations in the studied anionic, cationic amphoteric surfactant concentrations and can be used for predicting their toxicity in the final product and can be used depending on the focus of the analysis.

Asunto(s)

Opacidad de la Córnea , Cosméticos , Alternativas a las Pruebas en Animales/métodos , Animales , Bovinos , Pollos , Opacidad de la Córnea/patología , Cosméticos/toxicidad , Ojo , Femenino , Irritantes/toxicidad , Siliconas/farmacología , Tensoactivos/toxicidad

RESUMEN

The feasibility of using saponification coupled to extraction with mixed micellar systems to recover bioactive compounds from soybean oil deodorizer distillate, was evaluated for the first time. Under the selected conditions, saponification with KOH 0.6 M and aqueous micellar system prepared with Tergitol 15-S-7 9% w/w, rhamnolipids 0.25 %w/w and sodium citrate 100 mM pH 5.00, at 65 °C, allow the recovery of almost 100% of α- and δ- tocopherols, and 90% of γ-tocopherols. LC-MS measurements demonstrated that the final extract also contained phytosterols and squalene. Additionally, the obtained extract preserved about 100% of the total antioxidant activity. This result was attributable to the fact that 93% of the tocopherols recovered in the micellar phases resulted to be associated with surfactant micelles, environment that is known to improve their antioxidant capacity. These results open perspectives to the use of this methodology to extract these valuable compounds from complex oily sources.

Asunto(s)

Fitosteroles , Aceite de Soja , Cromatografía Liquida , Micelas , Fitosteroles/química , Aceite de Soja/química , Tocoferoles/análisis