Abstract Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent condition worldwide that produces a wide range of pathophysiological consequences, with a critical impact on health and social issues. Alcohol influences gene expression through epigenetic changes mainly through DNA methylation. In this sense, levels of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), namely Global DNA methylation (GMe), which can be influenced by environmental and hormonal effects, represent a putative biological mechanism underlying alcohol effects. Our aim was to investigate the influence of AUD diagnosis and alcohol patterns (i.e., years of addiction, use in the last 30 days, and alcohol severity) on GMe levels. The sample consisted of 256 men diagnosed with AUD and 361 men without AUD. DNA samples from peripheral blood were used to assess GMe levels, measured through the levels of 5-mC using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results from multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the presence of AUD was associated with lower GMe levels (beta=-0.155, p=0.011). Other alcohol-related outcomes were not associated with DNA methylation. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the impact of chronic and heavy alcohol use in GMe could be a potential mechanism mediating the multiple organ damages related to AUD.

The antimicrobial activity of new gemini derived from a tetrapeptide has been evaluated. The synthesis was carried out using solid phase chemistry and N - d - direct and indirect alkylation of the ornithine peptide residue . The antimicrobial activity was tested against ATCC strains (American Type Culture Collection) by well-diffusion assay and determination of minimal inhibitory concentration. The method of N- alkylation with potassium carbonate was the best with yields of 40% allows achieving biologically active mono and dialkylate surfactants. The low molecular weight of these compounds, their simple way of preparation and their activity towards bacteria causing food-borne diseases makes them technologycally attractive for use as food preservatives. The presence in the molecules of ornithine gives them enzymatic resistance and a longer biological half-life and thus may be used to develop drugs for therapeutic purposes.

Se ha sintetizado y evaluado la actividad antimicrobiana de nuevos compuestos gemini derivados de un tetrapéptido. La síntesis se realizó utilizando química en fase sólida y N-d -alquilación directa e indirecta de los residuos peptídicos de ornitina . La actividad antimicrobiana se ensayó frente a cepas ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) mediante difusión en agar y determinación de la concentración inhibitoria mínima. El método directo de N- alquilación con carbonato de potasio fue el más adecuado con rendimientos del 40 % permitiendo obtener compuestos mono y di alquilados biológicamente activos. La baja masa molecular de estos compuestos, su forma simple de obtención y su actividad hacia bacterias causantes de enfermedades de transmisión alimentaria los hace tecnológicamente atractivos para ser utilizados como preservadores alimentarios. La presencia de ornitina en las moléculas les otorga resistencia enzimática y vida media biológica mayor, por que podrían ser utilizados para el desarrollo de drogas con fines terapéuticos.