EFFECT OF PROPYLTHIOURACIL AND METHIMAZOLE ON SERUM LEVELS OF INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTORS IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS

Background. We have previously reported clinical improvement in patients with psoriasis who received orally administered antithyroid thioureylenes, propylthiouracil (PTU), and methimazole (MMI). The antithyroid drugs are believed to exert immunomodulatory effects based on the results of studies in patients with Graves’ disease, the only disease in which they are clinically used. The potential of these drugs to mediate clinical improvement in patients with psoriasis by reducing expression of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL2R), a marker of early T and B cell activation, was addressed in the present study. Methods. Baseline serum concentrations of IL2R were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (EUSA) in 15 patients with stable plaque psoriasis and in the same patients after 8 weeks of oral therapy with either 300 mg of propylthiouracil (n=7) or 40 mg methimazole (n=8) given daily. Baseline values were compared with normal controls. Results. Serum IL2R concentrations in the psoriatic patients were significantly higher than in normal controls. After treatment with PTU or MMI, IL2R serum concentrations were not significantly reduced either in the group as a whole or separately in the PTU and MMI treated patients. Conclusions. Since elevated serum concentrations of IL2R often reflect T and B cell activation, and elevated IL2R serum levels are seen in several autoimmune diseases, it is speculated that the beneficial effect of thioureylenes in patients with psoriasis is mediated by some mechanism(s) other than reduction of IL2R expression in activated lymphocytes.     

COMPARISON OF PLASMA MALONDIALDEHYDE, GLUTATHIONE, GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE, HYDROXYPROLINE AND SELENIUM LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH VITILIGO AND HEALTHY CONTROLS

Background:

The etiology and pathophysiologic mechanism of vitiligo are still unclear. The relationship between increased oxidative stress due to the accumulation of radicals and reactive oxygen species and the associated changes in blood and epidermal component of vitiliginous skin have been reported many times. We investigated the possible changes of plasma malondialdehyde, glutathione, selenium, hydroxyproline and glutathione peroxidase activity levels in patients with vitiligo in order to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and etiopathogenesis of vitiligo.

Materials and Methods:

Plasma malondialdehyde, glutathione, hydroxyproline and glutathione peroxidase activity levels were measured by spectrophotometric methods, and HPLC was used for measurement of selenium concentrations.

Results:

Our results showed increased malondialdehyde, hydroxyproline and glutathione peroxidase activity levels in plasma of vitiligo group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Support of antioxidant system via nonenzymatic antioxidant compounds and antioxidant enzymes may be useful to prevent of melanocyte degeneration which occur due to oxidative damage in vitiligo.     

丹毒病人血SOD、LPO活力的测定

本文测定了25名正常人及34例丹毒患者外周血超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)及脂质氧化物(LPO)的水平。结果显示:在极期丹毒惠者,SOD水平下降、LPO升高,而在恢复期患者,SOD水平升高而LPO下降,SOD和LPO水年在两期间差异有非常显著的意义(P<0.01)。两期丹毒患者SOD和LPO水平,与正常组相比差异也有显著意义(P<0.01)。     

ANTIACTIVATOR IN PLASMA OF PATIENTS WITH BEHÇET'S DISEASE

In the present study, it was confirmed for the first time that the plasminogen activator activity in the euglobulin fraction could be determined by the Testzym method using chromozyme S-2251. Antiactivators in plasma of patients with Behçet's disease, who showed decreased blood fibrinolytic activity, could be precipitated together with the activator in the euglobulin fraction. It was confirmed that the antiactivator was inhibited by dextran sulfate.     

座疮患者血清睾酮及雌二醇水平研究

我们测定了45例痊疮患者及38例正常人血清睾酮及雌二醇水平男性患者组血清雌二醇水平(230.2pmol/L)高于正常对照组(163.9 mol/L).女性患者组血清睾酮水平(5.45nmo1/L)高于正常对照组(3.71nmol/L).我们观察到18例女性患者中16例((88.9%)伴有程度不同的月经周期紊乱,故建议这种情况的痤疮患者可采用人工周期疗法.     

SERUM LEPTIN, ATHEROGENIC LIPIDS AND GLUCOSE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SKIN TAGS

Aim:

To investigate the relationship between serum leptin, atherogenic lipid and glucose levels in patients with skin tags and healthy controls.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 58 patients, with at least three skin tags, aged 24 to 85 years, and 31 healthy controls aged 30 to 70 years, were examined in the present study. The subjects in all the groups were selected with statistically similar Body Mass Index (BMI). Fasting concentrations of plasma glucose, serum lipids including triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), HbA1c, and leptin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, serum LDL level was calculated using Friedewald''s formula.

Results:

There was no significant difference in age, sex, BMI, HbA1c, triglyceride, HDL and leptin levels between the groups. Skin tags group showed significantly higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL, when compared with the healthy controls groups (P < 0.01). In addition, regression analysis showed that leptin level was positively correlated to serum triglyceride level (r = 0.265, P = 0.044).

Conclusion:

Total cholesterol and LDL serum levels should be controlled in patients with skin tags. On the other hand, glucose, leptin and HbA1c serum levels may not be as important as is being considered in recent times.     

雷公藤对女性SLE性激素水平的影响

对单独服用雷公藤糖浆的31例女性SLE测定了6种卵泡期血清性激素:雌二醇(E₂),睾酮(T)、孕酮、黄体生成素、卵泡刺激素和催乳素.结果显示治疗前SLE的E₂和E₂/T值较健康对照组显著增高,治疗后明显降低.而且病情活动者的E₂和E₂/T值的增高率显著高于病情缓解或稳定者.故认为雷公藤抑制E₂和调整E₂/T值的作用可能是其药物作用机制中的重要一环.     

ELEVATED LEVELS OF CHEMOTAXIS INHIBITORY ACTIVITY IN SERA OF PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

An inhibitory activity against neutrophil chemotactic factors was found in normal human serum. Elevated levels of this chemotaxis inhibitory activity were demonstrated in sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The physico-chemical characteristics of this chemotaxis inhibitory substance(s) in SLE serum were almost identical to those of the inhibitory substance(s) in normal human serum; both the inhibitory substances were heat labile, soluble in 45% saturated ammonium sulphate, worked directly on chemotactic factor and affected various chemotactic factors. A study using Sephadex G- 100 chromatography showed that the molecular sizes of both inhibitory substances were almost identical. No correlation was found between the levels of the chemotaxis inhibitory activity in SLE sera and other clinical parameters including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum concentration of either the third component of complement (C3) or the fourth component of complement (C4). Specimens from patients with the following diseases failed to demonstrate elevated levels of chemotaxis inhibitory activities; rheumatoid arthritis, urticaria, psoriasis vulgaris, atopic dermatitis and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE).     

SLE、DM血浆游离氨基酸的测定

测试了71例血浆游离氨基酸的22种成分。32例SLE患者的赖氨酸、鸟氨酸、谷氨酰胺和氨值升高,谷氨酸和半胱氨酸无变化。9例DM患者的谷氨酸、组氨酸、磷酸丝氨酸和氨值升高,鸟氨酸、谷氨酰胺无变化。其他氨基酸均低于正常人。     

EFFECT OF SYSTEMIC ADMINISTRATION OF ISOTRETINOIN ON BLOOD LIPIDS AND FATTY ACIDS IN ACNE PATIENTS

Background. In many studies, an increase in total cholesterol and triglycerides with isotretinoin therapy have been shown and investigators have commented on potential cardiovascular risk. A low intake of linoleic acid, the main essential fatty acid in man, may act as an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. In vitro etretin alters both the incorporation of extracellular fatty acids into cell membranes and the fatty acid composition of the cell membrane itself. It is, therefore, important to establish whether isotretinoin has any effect on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Methods. The effect of treatment with isotretinoin for 4 months on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with acne was assessed. Quantitative total cholesterol and triglycerides as well as plasma phospholipid, triglycerides, and cholesteryl ester fatty acids were measured in 12 patients and red cell phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol fatty acids were measured in 13 patients before and after isotretinoin therapy. Results. There was a significant increase in the concentrations of cholesterol (P < 0.02) and triglycerides (P < 0.04) during treatment. There was no significant difference in plasma phospholipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol esters, or in the red cell phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol during isotretinoin therapy. Conclusions. This study failed to demonstrate any effect of isotretinoin on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. There was a significant increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels following isotretinoin therapy supporting the findings of many previous studies.     

HISTAMINE EXCRETION AND DERMOGRAPHISM IN URTICARIA PIGMENTOSA BEFORE AND AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF A SPECIFIC HISTIDINE-DECARBOXYLASE INHIBITOR

Summary.— The 24 h urinary histamine excretion was studied in 2 patients with severe urticaria pigmentosa before and after treatment with a specific histidine decarboxylase inhibitor, 4-bromo-3-hydroxy-benzyloxyamine-dihy-drogen phosphate (Brocresine). Urinary histamine excretion was greatly raised in both patients before treatment and there was no fall in excretion after treatment in either patient. There was no diminution in dermographism, measured by a quantitative technique, and no symptomatic improvement. These results do not support the view that Brocresine is an effective inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase in man.     

皮肤癣菌病患者表皮LC观察

本文应用ATPase组化方法对30例皮肤癣菌病患者皮损表皮及70例对照者相应部位表皮作了LC观察,并对其中3例患者及1例对照者表皮LC作了TEM观察.结果发现患者LC形态改变,数量减少或消失及细胞超微结构受损.并发现上述改变程度与病程、病型有关.本文首次提出LC与皮肤癣菌病的免疫病理改变有密切关系,可能皮肤癣菌的入侵使LC受损,从而干扰了T淋巴细胞诱导的机体对病原体的清除功能.本文还讨论了两种方法的注意点.     

EFFECTS OF CYTOCHALASIN B ON EPIDERMAL CELLS IN VITRO

Summary.— Effects of cytochalasin B have been studied on organ cultures and dispersed cell cultures of adult guinea-pig ear skin, using electron microscopy and time-lapse cinephotomicrography. Cytochalasin B failed to inhibit epiboly at 1 ug/ml, caused slight inhibition at 2 ug/ml and total inhibition at 5 ug/ml. These concentrations did not appear to affect ruffling of membranes or internal cell movements. Some effect was demonstrated at 20 ug/ml. These concentrations, however, caused a general toxic effect on the cells. Ultrastructurally, there was possibly some reduction in the microfilament system, but this was far from dramatic. Abnormalities caused were increased numbers of Lysosomes and dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum.     

EFFECTS OF SOFTFNFD AND UNSOFTFNED FABRICS ON INFANT SKIN

Background. The effects of softened and unsoftened fabrics on the skin of infants of 1–12 months of age were evaluated under real life conditions of skin contact with fabrics. Methods. During 4 weeks, 24 infants wore cotton fabrics washed with a granular detergent on one side of their lower back, and on the other side, cotton fabrics washed with the same detergent and softened with a liquid fabric softener. Skin effects were evaluated by visual grading for redness, dryness, and smoothness, by skin stripping and measuring of Chroma C* (squamometry), by measurements of elasticity and bioelastic ratio, and by instrumental measurements of skin parameters (pH, capacitance, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and erythema by colorimetry). Results. No deleterious effects were observed in any infant. A decrease in squamometry (Chroma C*) and an increase in capacitance were detected in skin exposed to softened fabrics relative to unsoftened ones. Values of pH tended to be higher in the sites treated with softened versus unsoftened fabrics (pH 6.06 and 5.87, respectively, at end of study). All other parameters showed no significant differences in the two treatment groups. Conclusions. Neither softened nor unsoftened fabrics produced any adverse effects on the skin of infants after continuous wearing during 29 days. A slight beneficial effect on the infants' skin was observed with softened relative to unsoftened fabrics. Methods measuring the structure and function of the stratum corneum were more sensitive discriminators of the effects of fabrics on the skin than traditional methods of visual clinical evaluation.     

PSYCHOSOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTION AND STIGMA FEELINGS IN PSORIASIS PATIENTS

Background. Many studies as well as clinical experience indicate that patients often feel stigmatized by their psoriasis and may experience rejection due to their skin disease. Methods. In this study of connections between feelings about having psoriasis, rejection by others, and the impact on work experience, alcohol use, and psychiatric help-seeking, 100 adults with moderate to severe psoriasis responded to a specially designed questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis is used to determine whether, and how, rejection experience and stigma feelings are associated with the three psychosocial outcomes after controlling for psoriasis severity. Results. Nineteen percent of the subjects experienced 50 episodes of gross rejection as a result of their psoriasis, most often from a gym, pool, hairdresser, or job. Rejection experience leads to feeling stigmatized, which is then associated with help seeking and, to some degree, with interference with work. Rejection can lead to feeling stigmatized and to increased alcohol consumption, but the data show that patients may drink without conscious awareness of their feelings. Conclusions. When patients experience psoriasis-related rejection, they may feel stigmatized and suffer further adverse effects on their emotional and occupational life. It is urgent that ways of helping people deal with the impact of psoriasis, its stigmatizing potential, and the consequences of psoriasis-induced rejection be emphasized.