Status of oxidative stress on lesional skin surface of plantar warts

Background Warts are abnormal skin growths caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infections within the skin of the patients. Sometimes the disease is difficult to treatment, and also, the relationship between HPV and some forms of skin cancers is important. The cutaneous oxidative stress status of warts is absent in the literature. Objectives To evaluate the role of oxidative stress in affected skin areas in a group of patients with plantar warts. Methods Thirty‐six consecutive patients with a diagnosis of plantar warts were enrolled. The samples were obtained by scraping the skin surface. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured spectrophotometrically at samples. Results The SOD activity was significantly lower, and the MDA level was significantly higher on the lesional area than on the non‐lesional area (P < 0.001 for each), and there was no significant difference in the CAT activity between both areas (P = 0.11). Conclusion Cutaneous oxidative stress in patients with plantar warts may play a role in pathogenesis of the disease. The addition of topical drugs with antioxidative effects may be valuable in the treatment of warts.     

Over-expression of Mn-superoxide dismutase as a marker of oxidative stress in lesional skin of chronic idiopathic urticaria

We studied the involvement of oxidative stress in chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), assessing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione and the levels of malondialdeyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, in samples taken from lesional skin (n = 16) and nonlesional skin (n = 11) of CIU patients. The activity of SOD and glutathione and the levels of MDA were markedly increased in lesional skin as compared with skin of healthy subjects, whereas no differences were detected between nonlesional skin of CIU patients and control samples. Immuno-dot blot assay revealed an up-regulation of Mn-SOD expression in lesional skin. These findings show that oxidative stress is crucially involved in CIU. The evidence of lipid peroxidation and compensatory increase of Mn-SOD and glutathione activities in lesional skin, in the absence of any alteration in uninvolved skin, suggests that oxidative stress is secondary to the development of inflammation.     

The role of oxidants and antioxidants in psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by well-demarcated erythema and scaly plaques. The pathogenesis of psoriasis still remains unclear. An increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insufficient antioxidant activity have been determined in psoriatic lesions. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate and compare superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GP) activity in erythrocytes, catalase (CAT) activityand malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum of subjects with psoriasis and controls as well as MDA levels in skin biopsies from both groups. STUDY POPULATION: Twenty-two psoriatic patients (12 women and ten men) and 22 (12 women and ten men) healthy controls were involved in this study. FINDINGS: Statistically significant decreased levels of erythrocyte SOD and GP activities were noted in psoriatic subjects. Furthermore, a statistically significant increased serum CAT activity was found in the psoriasis group. No statistically significant difference was found in the serum MDA levels in the two groups, however, statistically significant increased tissue levels of MDA were noted in the psoriasis group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis of an imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system in psoriasis.     

白癜风患者血浆中氧化与抗氧化相关指标的检测

目的通过对白癜风患者及健康对照者血浆中氧化与抗氧化相关指标——超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、丙二醛(MDA)、维生素E(VitE)及一氧化氮(NO)表达水平的测定,探讨氧化应激在白癜风发病机制及疾病发展中的作用和意义。方法选择60例白癜风患者(患者组)和40名健康志愿者(健康对照组)为研究对象,化学法检测血浆中SOD,CAT,GSH-Px的活性及MDA,VE和NO的含量。结果患者组血浆中MDA含量及SOD活性明显高于健康对照组(P<0.01),而GSH-Px活性明显低于健康对照组(P<0.01);进展期白癜风患者血浆中MDA的含量及SOD的活性明显高于稳定期白癜风组(P<0.01),而GSH-Px活性明显低于稳定期白癜风患者(P<0.01);随MDA含量增加,GSH-Px活性逐渐降低,呈显著负相关关系(r=-0.337,P<0.01),而SOD活性逐渐升高,呈显著正相关关系(r=0.347,P<0.01);而在进展期和稳定期白癜风患者血浆中CAT,VE和NO的含量与健康对照组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论白癜风患者血浆中存在氧化-抗氧化失衡,白癜风的发病及病情活动与氧化应激可能相关。     

Role of cellular oxidative stress and cytochrome c in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

Oxidative-free radicals and apoptosis have linked to chronic skin diseases. Higher levels of oxidative radicals and the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c may have a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. We investigated the possible role of cellular oxidative stress and release of cytochrome c of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Disease severity was assessed by psoriasis area severity index score (PASI) of 55 psoriasis patients, they grouped as mild (11), moderate (20) and severe (24), also 20 healthy individuals used as controls. All groups were subjected for serum malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO·), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant status (TAS) and serum cytochrome c concentrations. We found that, (1) Severity wise increase in MDA and NO·, and decrease in SOD, CAT and TAS levels in all patients with different degrees of psoriasis; (2) PASI showed positive correlation with the increase in MDA and NO·, and negatively with decreased SOD, CAT and TAS levels; (3) significant increase in cytochrome c level was observed among psoriasis patients which showed negative correlation to MDA and NO· levels in mild and positively with moderate and severe groups. The release of mitochondrial cytochrome c indicates the induction of apoptosis mediated via oxidative stress which ultimately plays role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.     

Abnormal nuclear expression of aquaporin-3 in lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients: A novel immunohistochemical finding

Background

Vitiligo is a skin disease characterized by a complex etiopathogenesis. Keratinocyte apoptosis may play a role in vitiligo pathogenesis. Aquaporin-3 (AQP-3) is an aqua-glyceroporin that controls keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation.

Aim

To assess the immunohistochemical expression of AQP-3 in lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients compared to healthy control skin.

Methods

A total of 20 patients with generalized non-segmental vitiligo and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients, as well as normal skin of control subjects, were biopsied. The immunohistochemical expression of AQP3 in the epidermis was examined.

Results

Compared to control skin, both lesional and perilesional skin showed a significant reduction in the intensity of membranous staining of AQP-3 (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, the membrano-cytoplasmic pattern of AQP-3 staining was significantly detected in 80% of lesions and 85% of perilesional biopsies, while it was absent in control skin (p < 0.001). Additionally, nuclear AQP-3 expression was significantly detected in 35% of lesions and 55% of perilesional biopsies, while it was not detected in control skin (p = 0.012, p < 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was detected between lesional and perilesional skin.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first immunohistochemical research to show a significant abnormal nuclear expression of AQP-3 in lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients. This abnormality may reflect impaired functions of AQP-3, leading to keratinocyte apoptosis with subsequent melanocyte death and development of vitiligo.     

Protective effects of β-glucan against oxidative injury induced by 2.45-GHz electromagnetic radiation in the skin tissue of rats

In recent times, there is widespread use of 2.45-GHz irradiation-emitting devices in industrial, medical, military and domestic application. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 2.45-GHz electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on the oxidant and antioxidant status of skin and to examine the possible protective effects of β-glucans against the oxidative injury. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: control; sham exposed; EMR; and EMR + β-glucan. A 2.45-GHz EMR emitted device from the experimental exposure was applied to the EMR group and EMR + β-glucan group for 60 min daily, respectively, for 4 weeks. β-glucan was administered via gavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day before each exposure to radiation in the treatment group. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), as well as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in tissue homogenates of the skin. Exposure to 2.45-GHz EMR caused a significant increase in MDA levels and CAT activity, while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px decreased in skin tissues. Systemic β-glucan significantly reversed the elevation of MDA levels and the reduction of SOD activities. β-glucan treatment also slightly enhanced the activity of CAT and prevented the depletion of GSH-Px activity caused by EMR, but not statistically significantly. The present study demonstrated the role of oxidative mechanisms in EMR-induced skin tissue damages and that β-glucan could ameliorate oxidative skin injury via its antioxidant properties.     

结合珠蛋白在银屑病皮损及皮损周边外观正常皮肤中的表达

目的 从mRNA及蛋白质水平研究结合珠蛋白在银屑病皮损及皮损周边外观正常皮肤中的表达,探讨其与朗格汉斯细胞的关系及在银屑病发病中的作用.方法采用免疫组化、免疫荧光双标记和原位杂交技术检测银屑病皮损及皮损周边外观正常皮肤中结合珠蛋白的表达.结果与正常人皮肤相比,银屑病皮损处角质形成细胞中结合珠蛋白mRNA的表达均明显增强(P＜0.001);皮损周边外观正常皮肤中的表达与正常人皮肤差异无显著性(P＞0.05).免疫组化显示:皮损处部分角质形成细胞胞浆中有结合珠蛋白表达;皮损及皮损周边外观正常皮肤中均可见结合珠蛋白在部分朗格汉斯细胞中呈阳性表达,且两者中结合珠蛋白阳性朗格汉斯细胞与朗格汉斯细胞总计数的比值较正常皮肤显著增高(P＜0.001).结论银屑病皮损处角质形成细胞中结合珠蛋白mRNA的表达增强,并能合成结合珠蛋白.合成结合珠蛋白的角质形成细胞可能在银屑病发病机理中起负反馈调节作用。     

Expression of the T-cell activation antigens CD27 and CD28 in normal and psoriatic skin

Activated T lymphocytes are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. From studies with peripheral blood T lymphocytes it is known that T cells show a decrease in membrane expression of CD27 molecules during continuous antigenic stimulation. The T-cell activation molecule CD28 is thought to be involved in the transduction of an antigen-non-specific costimulatory signal. Therefore, in order to elucidate further the pathogenesis of psoriasis we studied the expression of CD27 and CD28, together with CD4, CD8 and CD45RA in this benign inflammatory dermatological disease. We used immunohistochemical techniques to determine absolute numbers of T lymphocytes and expression of these T-cell activation and T-subset-specific molecules in normal (n= 7), uninvolved perilesional (n= 7) and lesional psoriatic (n= 7) skin. We found that not only lesional but also clinically uninvolved perilesional skin showed an increased number of T cells. Further, immunohistochemical studies showed that CD27 is expressed by a minority of normal skin T cells, while in lesional psoriatic skin, expression was even lower, and almost absent in perilesional skin sections. In contrast to normal skin, both perilesional and lesional psoriatic skin contained no CD28 positive T cells. In lesional psoriatic skin, however, T cells showed predominantly the CD4 phenotype, while in perilesional skin CDS positive T cells were dominant. Two conclusions were reached: first, the absolute number of T cells, their CD27, CD28 and CD45RA expression, and the influx of CD8 positive T cells, indicate that perilesional psoriatic skin is different from normal and lesional psoriatic skin; and secondly, the data on CD27 and CD28 suggest that not only lesional but also perilesional psoriatic skin is subject to continuous antigenic stimulation, thus leading to decreased CD27 and CD28 expression on skin T cells.     

白芍总苷对轻、中度寻常性银屑病氧化应激状态的影响

目的评估轻度和中度寻常性银屑病患者氧化还原状态及白芍总苷对其的作用。方法应用分光光度法测定30例轻度和中度寻常性银屑病患者及15例健康志愿者的血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)水平及抗氧化酶[包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)]的活性。分别采用ELISA法、免疫组化SP法检测患者及志愿者血清、皮肤中8-异前列腺素F2α的表达水平。患者口服白芍总苷及外用松馏油治疗6周后,再次测定上述指标并比较治疗前后的变化。结果银屑病患者血清T-AOC水平及SOD,GSH-Px活性较健康对照组显著下降(P均<0.01),CAT活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05);患者的血清及皮损中8-异前列腺素F2α水平较健康对照组明显升高(P均<0.01);白芍总苷治疗后,T-AOC水平、SOD及GSH-Px活性显著升高,CAT活性、血清及皮损中8-异前列腺素F2α水平降低,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.01)。结论轻度和中度银屑病患者存在氧化应激,白芍总苷具有抗氧化作用,其治疗轻、中度银屑病有效可能与调节机体氧化还原状态并使之趋于正常有关。     

Evaluation of zinc level in skin of patients with necrolytic acral erythema

Summary Background Necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) is considered a cutaneous sign of hepatitis C virus infection. Its exact pathogenesis is still not fully understood, with some reports about decreased serum zinc levels but none about its level in the skin. Objectives To assess skin (lesional and perilesional) and serum zinc levels in patients with NAE and compare them with levels in control subjects. Methods Fifteen patients with NAE and 10 healthy controls were included in this study. Assessment of zinc level, in serum by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry and in lesional and perilesional skin biopsies by flame atomic absorption spectrometry, was done in all subjects. Re‐evaluation of serum and lesional skin zinc level was done after oral zinc treatment. Results Mean ± SD zinc levels were significantly lower in patients (serum 0·44 ± 0·13 mg L^?1; lesional skin 42·6 ± 18·9 mg L^?1; perilesional skin 32·5 ± 17·2 mg L^?1) than controls (serum 1·17 ± 0·29 mg L^?1; skin 100·1 ± 2·77 mg L^?1), with a positive correlation between lesional and perilesional skin zinc (r = 0·91, P < 0·01). Oral zinc supplementation significantly increased serum and skin zinc levels (by 159% and 4%, respectively; P < 0·05). Conclusions NAE is associated with decreased serum and skin zinc levels. Oral zinc supplementation corrects decreased levels of plasma and skin zinc much earlier than the desired clinical benefits appear.     

甘露糖结合凝集素在寻常性银屑病皮损中的表达

目的 检测甘露糖结合凝集素（MBL）在寻常性银屑病患者皮损中的表达,初步探讨皮肤中MBL蛋白与银屑病发病的关系。 方法 采用免疫组化法和Western印迹检测30例进行期寻常性银屑病患者皮损、非皮损区皮肤（皮损周围外观正常皮肤）及30例健康人对照皮肤中MBL的表达。采用SPSS13.0统计软件进行数据分析,组间资料比较采用t检验。 结果 免疫组化检测显示,银屑病皮损区MBL呈现阳性表达（相对表达量为0.636 7 ± 0.515 1）,非皮损区及健康对照皮肤中MBL表达弱或几乎无表达（分别为0.416 3 ± 0.160 1和0.381 6 ± 0.310 9）,银屑病皮损区较非皮损区和健康对照皮肤显著升高（t值分别为2.24和2.32,均P < 0.05）,非皮损区与健康对照皮肤MBL表达水平间比较差异无统计学意义（t = 1.51,P > 0.05）。Western印迹检测结果显示,银屑病皮损区、非皮损区及健康对照皮肤中均有MBL蛋白表达,相对表达量分别为0.273 1 ± 0.129 4、0.186 3 ± 0.193 1、0.149 2 ± 0.268 7,银屑病皮损区较非皮损区及健康对照皮肤显著增高（t值分别为2.05和2.28,均P < 0.05）,非皮损区与健康对照皮肤表达差异无统计学意义（P ＞ 0.05）。 结论 银屑病患者皮损区MBL蛋白高表达,可能与银屑病的发病存在一定关系。     

Markers of antioxidant defence system and lipid peroxidation in peripheral blood of female patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria

Oxidative stress is an important event in lesional skin of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). In the present study, we assessed blood oxidant/antioxidant status of patients suffering from CIU with positive response to autologous serum skin test (ASST) and with negative ASST, to improve our understanding of biological processes and the part of oxidative stress in this disease. Activities of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and catalase (CAT) as indices of enzymatic antioxidant capacity, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a maker of lipid peroxidation were measured in plasma and erythrocytes from 14 CIU female patients showing positive ASST, 31 CIU female patients with negative ASST and in 19 sex- and age- matched healthy subjects. The antioxidant enzyme activity in plasma and in erythrocytes did not differ significantly among the three groups. Also, the plasma and erythrocytes MDA levels were similar in the three groups. Based on our results, it seems that systemic activity of the enzymatic antioxidants (CuZn/SOD, MnSOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) as well as level of lipid peroxidation determined by MDA may not be increased in the course of immune-inflammatory processes associated with CIU. We also suggest that the systemic oxidant/antioxidant status of CIU patients, showing positive response to ASST, may not be different from that of CIU patients with negative ASST.     

Circulatory levels of antioxidants and lipid peroxidation in Indian patients with generalized and localized vitiligo

Vitiligo is an acquired skin disease, characterized by white areas on the skin due to loss of functional melanocytes. The pathogenesis of the disease is still unclear. Published data show the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of vitiligo. A total of 30 vitiligo patients and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. We estimated serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamins E and C, total antioxidant activity and whole blood levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in vitiligo patients and controls. We found significantly higher levels of MDA and significantly lower levels of SOD, GPx, vitamins C and E and total antioxidant activity in vitiligo patients compared with controls. This study is a maiden attempt to report on antioxidant parameters of both generalized/localized-type Indian vitiligo patients. Our results confirmed that oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and cause melanocyte damage in vitiligo.     

Oxidative stress in acne vulgaris

Background Acne vulgaris is one of the common dermatological diseases and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of oxidative stress in acne vulgaris. Materials and methods The study involved 32 patients with acne vulgaris in the patient group and 34 healthy adults in the control group. The parameters of oxidative stress such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XO), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the venous blood of patients were measured spectrophotometrically. The values were compared with those of the control group. Results The serum levels of MDA and XO activity in the patients with acne vulgaris were significantly higher than those of the controls. A significantly lower SOD and CAT activity was found in the patient group than in the control group. Although the patient group had higher serum levels of NO than the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion These results suggest that oxidative damage may play a role in the pathogenesis of acne; therefore, significant alterations may occur in the antioxidant defence system.     

Alterations of glucosylceramide-beta-glucosidase levels in the skin of patients with psoriasis vulgaris

Hydrolysis of glucosylceramides by the enzyme glucosylceramide-beta-glucosidase (GlcCer'ase) results in ceramide, a critical component of the intercellular lamellae that mediates the epidermal permeability barrier. A disturbance of ceramide formation is supposed to influence the transepidermal water loss in common skin diseases like atopic eczema or psoriasis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether GlcCer'ase levels were altered in the skin of subjects with psoriasis vulgaris. Skin punch biopsies were taken from lesional and non-lesional psoriatic skin and GlcCer'ase was evaluated both at the RNA and at the protein level. Normal skin from surgical patients provided the baseline GlcCer'ase expression in healthy subjects. Our results show that GlcCer'ase mRNA expression was decreased in psoriatic non-lesional skin compared to normal controls in all cases. Interestingly, in lesional psoriatic skin the level of GlcCer'ase was increased compared to non-lesional skin in all cases. For the immunohistochemical analysis, we used a newly synthesized monoclonal antibody anti-human GBC (GlcCer'ase-GST fusion protein). The results confirmed that GlcCer'ase, mainly present in the upper epidermis, was decreased in psoriatic skin compared to normal control and was increased in lesional compared to non-lesional psoriatic skin. Our findings support the concept that alteration in water permeability barrier in lesional psoriatic skin can serve as a trigger for the upregulation of the expression of enzymes like GlcCer'ase with consequent stimulation of ceramide generation.     

Increased blood flow and vasculature in solar lentigo

Solar lentigo (SL) is a hallmark of ultraviolet (UV)‐induced photoaged skin and growing evidence implicates blood vessels in UV‐associated pigmentation. In this study, we investigated whether the vasculatures are modified in SL. Twenty‐five women with facial SL were enrolled and colorimetric and blood flow studies were performed. There was a significant increase in erythema which was associated with increased blood flow in the lesional skin compared with perilesional normal skin. Immunohistochemical studies with 24 facial SL biopsies consistently revealed a significant increase in vessel density accompanied by increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor expression. CD68 immunoreactivity was significantly higher in lesional skin suggesting increased macrophage infiltration in SL. In conclusion, SL is characterized by increased blood flow and vasculature. These findings suggest the possible influence of the characteristics of vasculature on development of SL.     

Balance of Treg vs. T‐helper cells in the transition from symptomless to lesional psoriatic skin

Background In the pathogenesis of psoriasis, proinflammatory T cells are strongly involved in the inflammatory process, where regulatory T‐cell (Treg) function is impaired. Objectives As effective Treg function is associated with a numerical balance between Treg and effector T cells, we wondered whether Treg/T‐helper cell ratios may be associated with certain stages of the inflammatory process. We opted for the margin zone model as a dynamic approach. Methods From nine patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, 3‐mm punch biopsies were obtained from the centre and margin of the lesion, perilesional skin and distant uninvolved skin. Skin biopsies of 10 healthy volunteers were included as a control. Samples were analysed using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Results In the transition from symptomless to lesional skin, a significant increase of CD3+, CD4+ and Foxp3+ cells was found. In seven of nine patients the ratio of Treg (Foxp3+) vs. CD4+ T cells was higher in the distant uninvolved skin than in the perilesional and lesional skin. Interestingly, the Foxp3/CD4 ratio in the distant uninvolved skin was even higher than in the skin of healthy controls. Notably, we found that most of the interleukin (IL)‐17 expression was not related to CD4+ cells, but to mast cells. Conclusions The relatively high Foxp3/CD4 ratio in symptomless skin of patients with psoriasis suggests an active immune controlling mechanism distant from the psoriatic plaque. In the margin and centre of the plaque the ratio appears skewed towards effector cells associated with inflammation. IL‐17, an important driver of the psoriatic process, is mostly related to mast cells, and only sporadically to T cells.     

大麻素2型受体在寻常性银屑病皮损组织中的表达

目的 探讨大麻素2型受体在寻常性银屑病皮损组织中的表达及其意义。 方法 实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）、免疫组化技术检测20例寻常性银屑病患者皮损组织及皮损周围组织、10例非银屑病患者的正常皮肤组织中大麻素2型受体在mRNA和蛋白不同水平的表达情况。 结果 寻常性银屑病皮损组织、皮损周围组织及正常皮肤中均有大麻素2型受体mRNA表达,寻常性银屑病组表达明显高于皮损周围组及正常对照组（P < 0.05）;三组皮损组织均有大麻素2型受体蛋白表达,且寻常性银屑病组表达明显高于皮损周围组、正常对照组,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。 结论 寻常性银屑病皮损组织中大麻素2型受体在基因及蛋白水平表达均升高,提示大麻素2型受体可能与寻常性银屑病的发生发展有关联。