ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the influence of narrow-band ultraviolet B on lesional microvessel density (MVD),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2)as well as on serum VEGF in patients with psoriasis vulgaris(PV).Methods Fifteen patients with PV were recruited into this study with 10 normal human controls.All patients received NB-UVB phototherapy thrice a week for 4-5 weeks.Prior and after the treatment,psoriasis area and severity index (PASI)was calculated,tissue specimens were taken from non-photoexposed lesions,and sera samples were obtained from these patients.Then,MvD and the expression level of VEGF and MMP-2 were measured by immunohistochemical labeled dextran polymer(LDP)method in the tissue specimens.Also,the serum level of VEGF was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results PASI score remarkably decreased in patients after the photothempy(t=13.35,P＜0.01).The MVDs were 20.52±5.02,7.33±1.24 and 4.26±0.79 capillaries per high power field(400 × amplification),in psoriatic lesions before treatment,after treatment,and normal control tissues,respectively,with a significant difference among the three groups (F=97.57,P＜0.05),and a significant increase was observed in the lesions before treatment compared with those after treatment and normal controls.The serum level of VEGF was 307.55±121.65 ng/L in psoriatic lesions before treatment,significantly higher than that after treatment(163.92±95.57 ng/L),and in normal control skin (139.78±79.06 ng/L),whereas there was no significant difference between the latter two groups(P＞0.05).The positivity rate of MMP-2 was similar among the three groups without statistical difference(P＞0.05).In psoriatic patients,a positive correlation was observed among PASI score,MVD,lesional and serum VEGF levels(P＜0.05),also among the MVD,VEGF and MMP-2 levels in lesions(P＜0.05).but lesional MMP-2 was unrelated to PASI score or sgrum VEGF(both P＞0.05).Conclusions NB-UVB may regulate superficial dermal microvascular proliferation by acting on the expression of VEGF in sera and lesions of psoriatic patients.VEGF and MMP-2 may bOth participate in the proliferation process of microvessels,while MMP-2 is unlikely to be involved in the therapeutic mechanism of NB-UVB.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of Candida albicans and its components on the expression level of human beta-defensin-2 mRNA (HBD-2) in keratinocytes in vitro. Methods Different components of Candida albicans were isolated by lyticase, repeated freezing and thawing, sonication, and centrifugation. The keratinocytes and HaCaT cell lines were co-cultured with Candida albicans and its cellular components for 24 h. The expression level of HBD-2 mRNA was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Low expression level of HBD-2 mRNA in the unstimulated keratinocytes and HaCaT cells was detected. The HBD-2 mRNA expression levels in the keratinocytes stimulated by Candida albicans, the extract of its cell wall, and pure mannan were significantly increased (P 0.05). Conclusions Candida albicans, the extract of cell wall of Candida albicans, and commercial mannan can increase the expression level of HBD-2 mRNA in keratinocytes.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To study on the mechanism of Chinese medicine in treatment of systematic lupus erythematosus(SLE)and to observe long-term therapeutic effect of Chinese medicine on damage of organs in SLE.Methods:51 cases in-patients and out-patients of SLE from 1999 to 2003 were randomly divided into a treatment group treated with integrated Chinese medicine and western medicine and a control group treated with simple western medicine.Serum intracellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),adhesion molecule-3(ICAM-3),P-selectin and SLE injury index(SLICC/ACRDI)before and after treatment were observed.Results: ICAM-1,ICAM-3 and P-selectin in the patient of SLE were significantly increased as compared with those in normal persons. After treatment,ICAM-1 and P-seleetin in the treatment group decreased significantly as compared with those control group.The cumulative score of SLE injury index in treatment group was more stable and increased significantly in control group compared with that before treatment.Conclusion:The integrated treatment of Chinese medicine and western medicine with Yangyin Qingre Decoction has significant inhibiting action on the high expression of serum adhension molecule and has significant protective and repairing actions on the injury of organs in the patient of SLE.