Real-world efficacy and safety of interleukin-17 inhibitors for psoriasis: A single-center experience

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors (IL-17i) by analyzing 66 patients with psoriasis treated with secukinumab (n = 25), ixekizumab (n = 17) and brodalumab (n = 24) at Kurume University Hospital between December 2014 and June 2019. The mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores at baseline were 12.9, 13.4 and 9.9 in the secukinumab, ixekizumab and brodalumab groups (SECg, IXEg and BROg), respectively. At the 6-month evaluation, the mean PASI scores were 1.7, 1.1 and 0.5 in SECg, IXEg and BROg, respectively. The proportion of patients achieving PASI of 3.0 or less was significantly lower in SECg. Drug survivals showed no significant difference among the groups. Although one patient in IXEg died due to an unknown cause, no serious IL-17i-associated adverse event was observed. This study showed high efficacy and relatively low risk of the treatment with IL-17i.     

Kampo medicines suppress the production of exfoliative toxins causing impetigo in Staphylococcus aureus

An alternative approach, such as antivirulence therapy that modulates the production of bacterial toxins or virulence factors, is necessary to tackle the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains. Here, we investigated the potential antivirulence effects of seven Kampo medicines (Jumihaidokuto, Eppikajutsuto, Jizusoippo, Shomakakkonto, Sammotsuogonto, Hainosankyuto and Inchinkoto) against exfoliative toxin (ET)-positive Staphylococcus aureus, which is the major causative agent of impetigo. A growth inhibition assay showed that all of the selected Kampo medicines inhibited the growth of S. aureus at 1/5 (2.5 mg/mL) or less of the conventionally used concentrations. Among these, Jizusoippo and Inchinkoto (0.25–1 mg/mL) suppressed the production of ET without inhibiting the bacterial growth. Furthermore, Jizusoippo and Inchinkoto significantly suppressed the expression of ET genes in a concentration-dependent manner. Our findings strongly suggest, for the first time, that Kampo medicines, especially Jizusoippo and Inchinkoto, have the potential to serve as antivirulence agents against skin infections caused by S. aureus by suppressing the production of ET.     

血小板血浆对人牙髓细胞增殖的影响

目的：观察血小板血浆及其细化成分对人牙髓细胞增殖的影响。方法：使用因正畸而拔除的人牙的牙髓细胞，用细胞定量测定试剂盒测定细胞增殖情况。结果：5％的多血小板血浆（platelet-rich plasma，PRP）、5％和10％的洗净血小板（washed platelet，WPLT）均明显地促进了人牙髓细胞的增殖，而且WPLT的作用较PRP更显著。乏血小板血浆（platelet-poor plasma，PPP）呈浓度依赖性地抑制了人牙髓细胞增殖，5％WPLT促进人牙髓细胞增殖的作用。结论：去除血浆成分的WPLT对培养的人牙髓细胞增殖有明显的促进作用；血浆中可能存在对抗血小板生长因子作用的因子。