An open-label pilot study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topically applied pimecrolimus cream for the treatment of steroid-induced rosacea-like eruption

BACKGROUND: Steroid-induced rosacea-like eruption is characterized by facial rosacea-like dermatitis in patients that have been treated with topical steroids for relatively long periods. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of 1% pimecrolimus topical cream for steroid-induced rosacea-like eruption. METHODS: In an open-label pilot study, 40 patients were enrolled and instructed to apply 1% pimecrolimus cream twice daily for 6 weeks. Patients were evaluated by a rosacea clinical score, investigator's global assessment, overall erythema severity, and tolerability at weeks 0, 2, and 6. RESULTS: In 35 patients, the rosacea clinical score decreased significantly from 16.0+/-4.3 at baseline to 8.1+/-3.3 at week 2 and 4.2+/-2.5 at week 6 (P<0.0001). Investigator's global assessment was 4.1+/-1.1 (baseline), then decreased to 1.4+/-0.8 (week 2) and 0.5+/-0.6 (week 6) (P<0.0001). By week 6, 48.6% of the patients were clear. Overall erythema severity was 2.4+/-0.7 (baseline), 0.9+/-0.4 (week 2), and 0.3+/-0.4 (week 6) (P<0.0001). Cutaneous adverse events (local burning, stinging, and itching) occurred in 17.5%. CONCLUSION: Pimecrolimus cream might be efficacious, safe, and well tolerated for steroid-induced rosacea-like eruption. The small sample size and open label nature of this study is its limitation. Further double-blind, vehicle-controlled studies are needed.     

Preventive effects of intermittent administration of human parathyroid hormone on steroid-induced osteopenia in rats

The purpose of this study was to determine the preventive effect of intermittent administration of human parathyroid hormone (h-PTH) on bone change in steroid-treated rats; this was done by histomorphometric and biochemical analysis. Seven-month-old female Wistar rats were divided into four groups; in-each of the four groups one subgroup was treated for 4 weeks and one for 8 weeks. The groups consisted of: untreated controls, a steroid group (receiving prednisolone), a steroid + PTH group (predniso-lone and h-PTH administered simultaneously), and a steroid + PTH vehicle group. Prednisolone (2.5 mg/kg) and h-PTH (1–34) (6.0 μg/kg) were administered six times a week during the experimental period. At necropsy, bilateral tibiae were collected: one was used for preparing undecalcified sections after Villanueva bone staining, and the other for decalcified tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) stained sections. Biochemical analysis showed that steroids increased urinary calcium at the 8th week; however, such bone metabolic markers as serum 1,25-(OH)₂D and urinary deoxypyridinoline did not change in any treatment group. Histomorphometrically, steroid-induced osteopenia was established at the 8th week by inhibition of both bone formation and bone resorption. The simultaneous intermittent administration of PTH plus steroid, however, increased both bone formation and bone resorption, resulting in increases in bone volume beginning at 4 weeks. These results suggest that the simultaneous intermittent administration of PTH with steroid prevents steroid-induced low-turnover osteopenia by stimulating bone turnover.     

Construction of a risk model of steroid-induced necrosis of the femoral head and prediction of potential Chinese medicine treatments北大核心

背景:随着疾病治疗模式的改变,人们已经意识到中医药在激素性股骨头坏死治疗过程中的重要性,因此利用生物信息学从分子水平分析激素性股骨头坏死的发病机制,构建疾病风险模型,并预测具有潜在治疗作用的中药,为后期中医药治疗激素性股骨头坏死提供一定的理论依据。目的:基于生物信息学挖掘激素性股骨头坏死的竞争性内源RNA(ceRNA)调控网络,分析其在激素性股骨头坏死中的分子调控机制,预测相关疾病靶点并构建疾病风险模型,同时预测具有潜在治疗作用的中药。方法:检索GEO数据库,下载激素性股骨头坏死的矩阵文件GSE123568和基因注释文件GPL15207。借助R语言等软件分析得到差异表达的长链非编码RNA与mRNA,并通过公共数据库预测与差异表达长链非编码RNA关联的miRNA-mRNA,再将预测到的mRNA与差异表达mRNA取交集,整合得到ceRNA网络。随后采用STRING数据库和Cytoscape软件筛选关键基因,利用R语言分析关键基因的功能与相关通路,并挖掘关键ceRNA网络。最后根据关键基因构建激素性股骨头坏死的风险模型,并进行中药预测。结果与结论:(1)与健康对照相比,激素性股骨头坏死患者共有7个长链非编码RNA和1763个mRNAs存在差异表达;(2)筛选出STAT3、KAT2B、AGO4、JAK2、JAK1、PTGS2共6个关键基因;(3)关键基因所富集的功能包括对肽激素的反应、白细胞介素6介导的信号通路、细胞对白细胞介素6的反应等生物学过程,涉及JAK-STAT、脂肪细胞因子、催乳素等信号通路;(4)4种mi RNAs(mi R-135a-5p、mi R-137、mi R-17-5p、miR-20b-5p)和2种长链非编码RNA(SNHG11、C20orf197)可能在导致激素性股骨头坏死发生发展过程中发挥关键作用;(5)KAT2B最有可能是激素性股骨头坏死发生发展的风险因子;(6)郁金、淫羊藿、黄芪具备治疗激素性股骨头坏死疾病靶点的可能。通过对激素性股骨头坏死相关长链非编码RNA介导的ceRNA网络进行分析,识别出潜在的疾病靶点、信号通路及潜在治疗中药,为进一步阐明其发病机制,并为后续的实验研究提供参考依据。     

Alteration of cytokine production in follicular cystic ovaries induced in mice by neonatal estradiol injection

PROBLEM: Neonatal estradiol injections in mice lead to follicular cystic ovaries that are similar to ovaries in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The present study examined ovarian cytokine production following neonatal estradiol injection. METHOD OF STUDY: Female (C3H,HeJ x 129/HeJ)F1 mice were injected daily with 20 microg 17beta-estradiol from 0-3 days postpartum. At intervals, animals were sacrificed to determine ovarian architecture, circulating levels of estradiol, ovarian and peritoneal macrophage cytokine production, and ovarian P450 aromatase enzyme mRNA levels. RESULTS: Similar to PCOS, our results show that neonatally estradiol-injected mice have lower levels of circulating estrogen that are correlated with decreased mRNA levels of P450 aromatase enzyme. Our data also show that follicular cystic ovaries have increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 production. This increase in TNF-alpha and IL-6 production is also observed in peritoneal macrophages of estradiol-injected mice. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that neonatal estrogen injection in mice has an overall systemic effect on cytokine production. We speculate that increased cytokine production may alter certain important steps in follicular maturation, ultimately contributing to ovarian dysfunction.     

Evaluation of Body Composition,Physical Activity,and Food Intake in Patients with Inborn Errors of Intermediary Metabolism

Children with inborn errors of intermediary metabolism (IEiM) must follow special diets that restrict their intake of essential nutrients and may compromise normal growth and development. We evaluated body composition, bone mineral density, physical activity, and food intake in IEiM patients undergoing dietary treatment. IEiM patients (n = 99) aged 5–19 years and healthy age- and sex-matched controls (n = 98) were recruited and underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to evaluate anthropometric characteristics and body composition. Data on food intake and physical activity were also collected using validated questionnaires. The height z-score was significantly lower in IEiM patients than controls (−0.28 vs. 0.15; p = 0.008), particularly in those with carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism disorders. Significant differences in adiposity were observed between patients and controls for the waist circumference z-score (−0.08 vs. −0.58; p = 0.005), but not the body mass index z-score (0.56 vs. 0.42; p = 0.279). IEiM patients had a significantly lower total bone mineral density (BMD) than controls (0.89 vs. 1.6; p = 0.001) and a higher risk of osteopenia (z-score < −2, 33.3% vs. 20.4%) and osteoporosis (z-score < −2.5, 7.1% vs. 0%), but none presented fractures. There was a significant positive correlation between natural protein intake and BMD. Our results indicate that patients with IEiM undergoing dietary treatment, especially those with amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, present alterations in body composition, including a reduced height, a tendency towards overweight and obesity, and a reduced BMD.     

Associations of Lifestyle Factors with Osteopenia and Osteoporosis in Polish Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Reduced physical activity (PA), smoking, and coffee and alcohol drinking constitute risk factors of osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) and frequency of osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with IBD and their correlation with PA, smoking, coffee, and alcohol. The study group consisted of 208 patients with IBD-103 with Crohn’s disease (CD), 105 suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC). Densitometric measurements were performed using the DXA. All patients completed a questionnaire concerning PA, smoking, and coffee and alcohol consumption. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis (L2–L4) in the IBD group was 48.1%; in the CD group, it amounted to 48.6%, and in the UC group, the prevalence was equal to 33.3%. Patients with CD who were diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis demonstrated reduced PA compared to patients with a normal BMD who exercised regularly (p = 0.0335). A similar observation was made in the group of women with IBD. Women with a normal BMD exercised significantly more often than women suffering from osteopenia and osteoporosis (p = 0.0146). However, no differences in BMD were observed with regard to coffee use, alcohol consumption, or smoking. Thus, since the incidence of osteoporosis in IBD patients is high, it may be dependent on PA.     

Exercice physique, carence estrogénique, monoxyde d'azote et remodelage osseux

Summary

Objectives

The aim of this paper is to emphasize the possible relationships established between estrogens and physical exercise and concerning bone metabolism. Nitric oxide (NO) might play an important role in such relationships.

Topics

Cellular metabolism of NO, as well as NO effects upon osteoblasts and osteoclasts have been summarized. Several studies indicate that NO deficiency might be implicated in various vascular diseases observed in post-menopausal women. Other works also indicate that NO deficiency induced by cessation of ovarian activity might be responsible for osteopenia associated with this condition. Thus, decreased production of NO would be responsible both for post-menopausal osteoporosis as well as for osteopenia sometimes observed in amenorrheic athletes. Moreover osteoblastic response to mechanical stimulation might implicate estrogenic receptor(s). The role of these receptors in the regulation of NO synthesis is still unknown.     

去势对不同月龄雌性大鼠骨丢失的影响

为了探讨去势对不同月龄雌性大鼠体质量、骨密度、组织病理学的影响,以便选用恰当月龄的大鼠复制绝经后骨质疏松的动物模型。本研究选用3、6、12月龄的SD雌性大鼠共48只,每月龄组16只,均分成A、B两组,A组为对照组,B组为去势组。分别于术后6、12周测量体质量、腰椎和股骨的骨密度及组织病理学观察。结果发现3月龄的去势级大鼠的体质量增加尤为明显,3、6月龄大鼠的去势组较对照组在去势后6、12周骨密度均有显著性差异（P＜0．001）,组织病理学观察去势组骨小梁稀疏,皮质骨变薄,骨髓腔扩大;而12月龄的大鼠骨密度改变不显著。结论：绝经后骨质疏松模型复制大鼠的年龄是6月龄为佳,3～6月龄亦可选用,12月龄以后不适宜选择。     

补肾方对激素性股骨头坏死大鼠的骨修复作用

目的:观察补肾方对激素性股骨头坏死(SONFH)大鼠股骨头骨修复的作用。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常组,模型组,补肾方高、中、低剂量组和阳性药健骨生丸组。除正常组外其余各组臀肌注射21 mg·kg-1甲泼尼龙琥珀酸钠,1 d 1次,连续3 d,建立单纯性糖皮质激素股骨头坏死模型。各给药组从第4天开始,分别给予5.3,10.6,21.2 g·kg-1的补肾方和1.68 g·kg-1健骨生丸,给药6周后取血和股骨头,HE染色观察股骨头组织的病理学改变,Micro-CT扫描观察股骨头骨形态变化并进行骨计量学分析,ELISA检测血清骨形成标志物骨钙素(BGP)和降钙素(CT)含量。结果:模型组大鼠股骨头表现出大量空骨陷窝和脂肪细胞、骨小梁变窄或断裂、骨髓腔内血细胞减少、可见大量坏死区等组织病理学改变;还可见股骨头塌陷、骨质减少、骨小梁稀疏等影像学改变,骨体积分数、骨小梁厚度、骨小梁模式因子、骨小梁数量、骨密度等骨计量学参数降低而骨小梁分离度升高,血清BGP和CT含量也显著降低;与模型组比较,补肾方中、高剂量组能明显改善大鼠股骨头组织病理学改变程度,补肾方高、中、低剂量组均显著抑制骨坏死程度,中、高剂量组还显著升高血清BGP和CT的含量(P0.05,P0.01);健骨生丸组的作用与补肾方中剂量组的作用相当。结论:补肾方组能明显改善SONFH大鼠股骨头组织病理学和影像学改变,增加血清中BGP及CT的含量,这一促进骨修复的作用可能是其防治激素引起的股骨头骨坏死的机制之一。     

淫羊藿配合髓芯减压术治疗兔激素性股骨头坏死的实验研究

目的：观察淫羊藿配合随芯减压术对兔激素性股骨头坏死的治疗效果并探讨其作用机制。方法60只新西兰大白兔随机分为对照组（ n ＝12）和实验组（ n ＝48）。用改进的马血清加甲基强的松龙的方法诱导制备兔激素性股骨头坏死动物模型。根据治疗方法不同,将模型动物随机分为模型组、手术组（髓芯减压术）、中药组（淫羊藿）、综合组（随芯减压术＋淫羊藿）。治疗后对5组股骨头的骨密度、生物力学、IGF-1、BMP-2 mRNA和蛋白的表达进行检测。结果与对照组比较,模型组骨密度及抗压力明显下降（ P ＜0．05）,中药组、手术组、综合组均有所改善（ P＜0．05）,综合组改善效果最好（ P ＜0．05）。 IGF-1mRNA和蛋白水平,模型组高于对照组（ P ＜0．05）。 BMP-2 mRNA和蛋白水平,模型组较对照组明显下降（ P ＜0．05）。 IGF-1、BMP-2 mRNA和蛋白的表达,中药组与综合组,手术组与模型组比较,差异无统计学意义（ P ＞0．05）;而在中药组和综合组的表达显著高于模型组和手术组（ P ＜0．05）。IGF1与BMP-2 mRNA及蛋白在股骨头的表达呈明显正相关（ P ＜0．05）。结论淫羊藿通过上调IGF1和BMP-2的表达而促进激素性股骨头坏死的损伤修复,其与随芯减压术相结合可有效增加股骨头骨密度,提高骨强度,为临床上治疗激素性股骨头坏死提供了一种较为有效的方法。