Male genital vitiligo

Vitiligo is a polygenetic multifactorial disease leading to melanocytic loss in skin and sometimes in hair. Genital areas may be involved and represent a specific therapeutic challenge. Surprisingly, data on male genital vitiligo remain scarce. This review aims to collate current knowledge on male genital vitiligo and to discuss the risks and benefits of the various therapeutic approaches. Male genital vitiligo is relatively frequent and often induces marked impairment of quality of life, with a specific impact on sex life. Prompt recognition of activity remains mandatory to halt disease progression, as repigmentation remains difficult to achieve in most cases. Thanks to progress in understanding of the pathophysiology of vitiligo, new therapeutic approaches are under development. Topical ruxolitinib, a JAK pathway inhibitor, is currently the product in the most advanced stage of development, with a very encouraging repigmentation rate on the face, although specific efficacy in genital area remains to be assessed. The next generation of treatments, such as topical WNT agonists, could be of great interest in genital vitiligo as they will not require combination with UV therapy and they may be able to enhance the differentiation and proliferation of melanocyte stem cells in this difficult-to-treat area.     

HLA markers in familial Lichen Sclerosus

Background: Lichen sclerosus (LS) has been identified with increased frequency in families,often associated with HLA markers, mainly DQ7. A genetic co‐etiology seems likely in this setting. Moreover, there is an association of LS with autoimmune disorders, such as the presence of anti‐thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (anti‐TPO), a hallmark of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Patients and Methods: In 3 families affected by LS, we verified their HLA markers, and identified previously undiagnosed cases of LS and autoimmune disorders. 30 individuals were examined with history, skin biopsy, HLA class I and II typing by PCR‐SSP, and measurement of anti‐TPO, free thyroxine and thyroidstimulating hormones (TSH) levels. Results: There were 8 cases of LS, 50 % of them anti‐TPO+. Autoimmune disorders were found in 40 % (total) and in 87.5 % of those affected. Most common HLA markers were B*15, B*57, CW*03, CW*07, CW*18, DRB1*04, DRB1*07, DRB4*. The three latter have been previously associated with LS. Conclusion: New cases of LS and autoimmune disorders can be detected in first degree relatives of patients with LS. The presence of anti‐TPO antibodies strongly suggests autoimmune thyroiditis. There is intra‐familial association between the haplotype HLA‐B*15 ‐DRB1*04 ‐DRB4* and anti‐TPO,emphasizing their link with thyroiditis. New familial approaches might help to make clear the pathogenesis of LS and its association with autoimmune diseases.     

白癜风患者血小板的研究

测定７５例白癜风患者周围血象、血小板相关抗体（ＰＡＩｇＧ）、血小板粘附及聚集、第３因子功能、高岭土部分凝血活酶时间（ＫＰＴＴ）、一期凝血酶原时间（ＰＴ）。结果发现白癜风患者血小板减少，ＰＡＩｇＧ增高、聚集时间延长。提示这种异常与免疫有关。     

β-Endorphin serum levels in patients with vitiligo

Aim The aim of this study is to correlate the β-endorphin levels at the early and more chronic stages of the disease in an attempt to find or confirm an etiological factor of vitiligo. Background The exact pathogenesis of vitiligo is still unclear. The most important theories are the self destruction, the autoimmune and the neural theories. Methods Patients with vitiligo (n= 28) were divided into two groups according to the duration of their disease. A group of 15 members of medical staff was the control group. β-endorphin levels were determined with a radioimmunoassay (¹²⁵I-β-endorphin IncstarCo). Results The mean β-endorphin levels (11.88 ± 2.25 pmol/l) in patients at the early years of the disease (Group A) were statistically elevated compared to those of patients with ‘chronic’ vitiligo (9.27 ± 2.73 pmol/l) and to those of controls (8.53 ± 2.53) pmol/l). Conclusion We suggest that high β-endorphin levels play a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo as well as in the prognosis of the disease.     

白癜风与氧化-抗氧化失衡

白癜风是一种较常见的色素脱失性疾病，临床上以表皮黑素细胞破坏缺失而出现色素脱失斑为主要特征，严重影响患者的外观美容。白癜风的病因学分子机制目前尚无定论，存在多种假说。近年来，对白癜风患者机体抗氧化水平的研究日益增多，越来越多证据提示，机体氧化-抗氧化平衡失调，导致局部微环境中活性自由基大量聚集，引起氧化应激，造成细胞损伤，是引起白癜风发病的一个重要因素。     

Blood endotyping distinguishes the profile of vitiligo from that of other inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases

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Cytokines: the yin and yang of vitiligo pathogenesis

Introduction: Dysregulation of melanocyte function is associated with vitiligo, an idiopathic autoimmune hypopigmentary skin disorder, caused by the selective destruction of melanocytes. Cytokines, the key mediators of immune response, which are pivotal in maintaining immune homeostasis, are crucial in vitiligo pathogenesis. Several studies indicate that there is an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the skin and serum of vitiligo patients.

Areas covered: In this comprehensive review, we have summarized the correlation of cytokine imbalance and vitiligo pathogenesis, its role in melanocyte biology, and its impact on vitiligo treatment. We have integrated various published reports on the levels of major cytokines from skin and serum samples of vitiligo patients. We have also discussed the role of endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress on cytokine imbalance and vice versa leading to destruction of melanocytes.

Expert commentary: The review reflects that dysregulation of cytokines is multifactorial, ranging from genetic predisposition to altered protein expression relevant to vitiligo pathogenesis. We emphasize that cytokine imbalance in systemic and skin microenvironment plays a crucial role in vitiligo pathogenesis and has promising potential as therapeutic targets for vitiligo.     

Repigmentation d’un vitiligo universalis déclenchée par l’hémodialyse

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder. Vitiligo universalis is a rare form responsible for significant aesthetic damage. To date, the exact pathogenesis remains unknown. Its treatment, a real challenge, consists rather in removing the still pigmented areas. We report a case of a patient followed for stable vitiligo universalis from an early age who presented with repigmentation shortly after initiation of hemodialysis.     

Treatment of 30 cases of vitiligo by cupping method plus external application of Chinese herbs

在皮损区拔罐,然后外涂中药治疗白癜风患者30例,对照组予西药治疗,3个疗程后,治疗组总有效率96.7%,对照组总有效率76.7%.治疗组疗效好于对照组(P＜0.05).     

钢丝环固定自体表皮移植治疗白癜风

目的探索特殊部位白癜风自体表皮移植治疗的包扎固定方法。方法试验组移植区边缘用钢丝环绕一周,缝合固定于皮肤上,并留置长线,皮片移植后将包扎敷料打包固定。对照组包扎敷料用胶带封包。结果自体表皮移植治疗眼睑及唇部易活动部位白癜风,采用钢丝环固定包扎,术区护理方便,对正常生活影响小,其治疗效果与传统的包扎方法相比有效率有明显提高(P<0.01)。结论钢丝环固定包扎是一种简单有效的包扎固定方法,可以提高活动大的部位白癜风手术治疗的成功率。