Therapeutic effect of topical application of curcumin during treatment of radiation burns in a mini-pig model

Curcumin protects the skin against radiation-induced epidermal damage and prevents morphological changes induced by irradiation skin, thereby maintaining the epidermal thickness and cell density of basal layers. In this study, the effects of topical curcumin treatment on radiation burns were evaluated in a mini-pig model. Histological and clinical changes were observed five weeks after radiation exposure to the back (⁶⁰Co gamma-radiation, 50 Gy). Curcumin was applied topically to irradiated skin (200 mg/cm²) twice a day for 35 days. Curcumin application decreased the epithelial desquamation after irradiation. Additionally, when compared to the vehicle-treated group, the curcumin-treated group showed reduced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear factor-kappaB. Furthermore, irradiation prolonged healing of biopsy wounds in the exposed area, whereas curcumin treatment stimulated wound healing. These results suggest that curcumin can improve epithelial cell survival and recovery in the skin and therefore be used to treat radiation burns.

beta-irradiation (166Ho patch)-induced skin injury in mini-pigs: effects on NF-kappaB and COX-2 expression in the skin

In the present study, the detrimental effect of beta-emission on pig skin was evaluated. Skin injury was modeled in mini-pigs by exposing the animals to 50 and 100 Gy of beta-emission delivered by 166Ho patches. Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical changes in exposed skin were monitored for 18 weeks after beta-irradiation. Radiation induced desquamation at 2~4 weeks and gradual repair of this damage was evident 6 weeks after irradiation. Changes in basal cell density and skin depth corresponded to clinically relevant changes. Skin thickness began to decrease 1 week after irradiation, and the skin was thinnest 4 weeks after irradiation. Skin thickness increased transiently during recovery from irradiation-induced skin injury, which was evident 6~8 weeks after irradiation. Epidermal expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) differed significantly between the untreated and irradiated areas. One week after irradiation, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was mostly limited to the basal cell layer and scattered among these cells. High levels of COX-2 expression were detected throughout the full depth of the skin 4 weeks after irradiation. These findings suggest that NF-kappaB and COX-2 play roles in epidermal cell regeneration following beta-irradiation of mini-pig skin.

A Case of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Developed during Treatment of Lung Cancer / 결핵및호흡기질환

Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis involving small vessels with the deposition of immune complexes containing IgA and C3, which is characterized by associated skin, joint, renal, and gastrointestinal manifestations. Although there were several causes such as autoimmunity, infection, and drugs, it also can be presented as a form of vasculitidies associated with malignancies. We report a case of HSP developed during treatment for non-small cell lung cancer in a 66-year-old man. Multiple purpuric skin lesions occurred in both legs after the first cycle of chemotherapy, which was diagnosed as HSP by clinical and pathologic examinations. Due to the itching sensation, topical steroid was applied and the patient was improved 3 weeks later without a scheduled change in chemotherapy.

Supraumbilical Skin Rash as a Rare Complication of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한간학회지

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a therapeutic option for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Supraumbilical skin rash is a rare complication of TACE caused by patent hepatic falciform artery. We report herein two cases of supraumbilical skin rash developed after TACE for hepatocellular carcinoma, with discussion on the pathogenesis, prophylaxis, and treatment.

Over-expression of p53 protein in squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

p53 gene mutations have been known to be highly related to the particular stage of transformation in various types of human cancers. This study was conducted to investigate the p53 mutations at the protein level by an immunohistochemical method using anti-p53 antibody, NCL-p53-DO-7. Twenty-five cancer specimens were obtained surgically from patients with squamous cell cancer of the skin at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital. The cancers were classified according to the possible etiology into two groups, burn scar originated and UV-related cancers. Overexpression of p53 protein was detected in ten (40%) out of 25 cases tested: six (40%) of 15 cases associated with burn scar and four (40%) of ten cases related to UV exposure. In all normal skin cells in specimens, p53 protein was not stained at all. The stages and histological grades were evaluated for their relationship with the overexpression of p53 protein. No significant difference was found between the overexpression of p53 protein and the stages or histological grades. These results demonstrating that 40% of skin cancers were positive for p53 overexpression suggest that the alterations of the p53 gene may play a role and the exact role of p53 gene in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin will be studied.

Aberrant expression of p53 gene product in malignant melanoma

According to the current concept of carcinogenesis, the alterations of p53 tumor suppressor gene have been the most frequently detected in both human cancer cell lines and cancer tissues freshly isolated. This study was conducted to investigate the p53 gene alteration in malignant melanoma. Nineteen tumor tissues were obtained from 19 patients with malignant melanoma and examined for the expression of p53 protein by immunohistochemical staining with mouse monoclonal anti-p53 antibody, NCL-p53-DO-7. Twelve out of 19 cases (63%) showed positive reactions for p53 protein: 26, 21 and 16% of which had low, intermediate and high reactivity, respectively. p53 alteration more frequently expressed in female (10/12) than male patients (2/7) with malignant melanoma (p<0.05). The incidence of expression of p53 protein was compared according to the stages and the sites of tissue obtained. The positive rate for p53 protein was not significantly different between the stages. The positive rates for p53 protein were five out of five (100%), one out of two (50%) and six out of twelve (50%) in tissues obtained from the metastatic, lymph node, and primary sites, respectively. The difference in the positive rates, however, is not statistically significant. These results suggest that p53 gene is a frequent target for mutation in the development of malignant melanoma.

A Case of Pemphigus Herpetiformis / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

A Clinical Study of TravogenR and TravocortR / TravogenR Therapy in Superficial Fungal Diseases: Multicenter Trials / 대한피부과학회지

Isoconazole nitrate is one of the broad-spectrum antimycotic agents recently developed from imidazole derivatives. Authors performed ulticenter trials to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Travogen and Travocort in superficial fungal diseases. In the usual superficial fungal diseases, Travogen was applied 4 weeks. In the inflammatory and eczematoid superficial fungal diseases, Travocort was applied 2 weeks initially and then followed by 2 weeks application of Travogen. One hundred and ninty one patients with superficial fungal diseases were included in this study during g months from December, 1982 to August, 19$3 The obtained results were as follows; The overall cure rate of Travogen and Travocort in each superficial fungal diseases were gl 7g (tinea pedis), 98. L% (tinea cruris), 1ppg, (tinea corporis), 9g. 100% (tinea manus), 1ppg (tinea capitis) and 1pgg (candidiasis) respectively. Trichophyton rubrum(51. 3%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes(29.3g), Tricho -countinue-

A Case of Acrodermatitis Enteropathica-like Syndrome / 대한피부과학회지

We report a case of acrodermatitis enteropathica-like syndrome after long-term parenteral nutrition in a 19-year-old female with a choriocarcinoma metastasized to the lung. Skin lesions consisted of vesicopustular periorificial eruptions, psoriasiform plaques on the knees and elbows, eczamatoid patches on the acral regions, paronychia, alopecia, and of poor wound healing, Severe diarrhea was accompanied. Zinc sulphate was administered 200mg three times daily for one week with improvement of the skin eruptions and diarrhea. The patient, however, died on the 7th day of zinc therapy with the poor general condition.

Clinical and Histopathological Observation on Pityriasis Rosea / 대한피부과학회지

The present study was performed to evaluate clinical manifestations and histopatological findings of 95 patients with pityriasis roses who visited the Department of Dermatology in National Medical Center from October of 1979 to September of 1982. The results are as follows, 1. Clinical Manifestations: 1. The number of patients with pityriasis roses were 95, which occupied 0. 98/o of new out-patients in the department of dermatology in the same period. 2. In sex distribution, males were 36 and females were 59, with male to female ratio of I: l. 6. R. Age of onset varied from 13 months to 58 years with a mean of 26. 0 years and 68% of cases belonged to 15 years to 84 years. 4. Seasonal incidence was 32% in winter, 27% in summer, 22% in autumn and l9% in spring. 5. iMild prodromal symptoms developed in 8 cases(%) and itching was noted in 58 cases (61%), which was mild to moderate exeept for severe itching in 2 cases. 6. Herald patch was found in 42 cases (44%) and the predilection sites were the trunk and the thighs. 7. Daughter lesions could be classified into macular type 69 cases (73g), pa.pular type 22 cases (23%), pustular type 2 cases (2%), urticarial type 1 case (I,3 and purpuric type 1 case (1%) They appeared on the back (79%), the chest (74%), the abdomen(73%), the thighs (47%), the upper arms (40%), the lower legs (24%),the forearrns (22%), the neck (16%), the face (7 %), dorsa of the hands (4%) and dorsa of the feet(2%). (countinue..)

Bullous Pemphigoid Responding to DDS / 대한피부과학회지

Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic and relatively benign subepidermal blistering disease and is generally considered not to be a sulfa-responsive dermatosis. As a rule, bullous dermatosis that excellently responded to sulfapyridine and sulfones was considered by some to be diagnostic of dermstitis herpetiformia. In 1977, Person and Rogers described 6 cases of bullous pemphigoid responded to sulfapyridine and sulfones. These sulfa-responsive cases were younger than ordinary bullous pemphigoid patients and the histopathologic findings showed prevalence of the neutrophilic infiltration. In this report, the patient who diagnosed as bullous pemphigoid by immunofluorescent studies has younger onset (38 years of age) than usual bullous pemphigoid and histopatbologic findings showed dense neutrophilic infiltrations. The patient was treated with 100-200mg of DDS for 2 months and the skin lesions completely disappeared.

A Case of Mycosis Fungoides Treated with Photochemotherapy (PUVA) / 대한피부과학회지

A 68-year-old male patient who was diagnosed as cutaneous mycosis fungoides with plaques, nodules and tumor has been treated with photochemotherapy. Oral methoxsalen followed by ultraviolet light(PUVA) resulted in clinical and histopathologic improvement of skin lesions. Photochemotherapy units consists of boxes with 12 UVA lamps. The initial dose was 8. 4 joules/cm2. The maintenance dose was 10. 5 joules/cm2. The total dose at present time is 1203. 82 joules/cm2. We prppose that PUVA therapy may be a valuable therapeutic regimen for mycosis fungoides.

A Case of Malignant Histiocytosis : Complete Remission with COPP Combination Chemotherapy / 대한피부과학회지

Malignant histiocytosis is a rare, usually fatal malignant neoplasm. We present a case of a 62 year-old female with malignant histiocytosis involving the skin, lymph nodes and bone marrow. The patient achieved a complete remission for 1 year after the completion of COPP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone). We propose that COPP chemotherapy is a valuable therapeutic regimen for malignant histiocytosis.

Effectiveness of Antifungal Agents / 대한피부과학회지

On strains of dematophytes isolated from superficial fungal infection patients, susceptibility tests were undertaken to topical antifungal agents (econazole, clotrimazole, siccanin, and tolnaftate). Minimal inhibitory concentration of the drugs was cletermined after 4 days incubation at room temperature on Sabourauds dextroes agar. Diverse susceptibility pattern was observed among different fungal species. Minor variability of susceptibilities was noted within the same species except for Trichophyton rubrum to econazole and tolnaftate in which a marked variation of susceptibilities was noted, Among drug tested, tolnaftate showed the most strong antifungal action, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the least sensitive species to all drugs. Minimal inhibitory concentration levels of each drug are as follows; clotrimazole was in the range of 2-8 mcg/ml., econazole was in the range of 0.06-2 mcg/rnl., siccanin was in the range of 05-2 mcg/ml., and tolnaftate was in the range of 0.01-0.25 mcg/ml.

Two Case of Eosinophilic Pustular Folliculitis / 대한피부과학회지

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis was first reported by Ofuji and Ogino in 1970, which is characterized by eruptions of aggregated pustules containing numerous eosinophils and by blood eosinophilia. Most cases were confined to Japan and the authors first observed two cases of typical eosinophilic pustular folliculitis in Korea. In case 1, the skin lesions were grouped uniforrn follicular papules on the erythematous base which intermingled with vesicopustules at the edge of the patches on the mandibular area, the neck and the anterior chest having tendency to central healing and peripheral extension like dermatophytosis. In case 2, the skin lesiens vere groupod uniform follicular papules of 1-2mm in diameter to form patches of 5-10 cm in diameter on the back, the a,nterior chest and the upper examities, some of which were topped with pustules or crusts. In both cases, blood eosinophilia were prominent and the histopathclogic findings showed dermal infiltration and abscesses of predominently eosinophilic leukocytes localized to follicles. The authors made the diagnosis of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis from the characteristic clinical and histopathologic findings.

A Study on Serum IgE Levels in Various Dermatoses / 대한피부과학회지

The serum value of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in 47 cases of atopic dermatitis and 43 cases of urticaria were determined by Phadebas PRIST(R) method in department of dermatology at National Medical Center, from Jan., 1982 to Sep., 1982. The results were as follow; 1. The mea,n IgE value in atopic dermatitis was significantly higher (408+/-l43 u/ml) than that of normal subjects (p>0.01). 2. The mean value of IgE in urticaria (310+/-299 u/ml) was not significantly higher than tha,t of normal subjects (p>0.05). 3. The rnean value of IgE in severely expanded atopic dermatitis (664+/-404 u/ml) was significantly increased than that of normal subjects (p>0.01) 4. The mean value of IgE in 7 cases of atopic dermatitis with allergic respiratory diseases (817+/-233 u/ml) was significantly elevated (p>0.01). 5. No close correlation was seen between IgE value and eosinophilia. 6. IgE in 2 cases of the urticaria infested with PW, CS were extended over 1000u/ml.

Acrodermatitis Enteropathica in Two Siblings: treated with zinc sulfate / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

Clinical Observations on Behcet's Syndrome / 대한피부과학회지

The clinical triad of relapsing iritis, ulcers of the mouth and genitalia was first described in 1937 by Halusi Behcet. This entity, originally confined to the above triad of symptoms, appears to be a systemic disease manifested by skin lesions, thrombophlebitis, neurologic or visceral syptoms. The exact etiology of this syndrome has not been established. However, in recent years, many investigators suggested that the autoimmune mechanism could be the cause of this disease, and imrnunotherapeutic agents have been shown to have beneficial effects in controlling recurrent episodes of major manifestations. (countiuned..)

A Clinical and Mycological Study of Superficial Dermatophytoses / 대한피부과학회지

This study was made in order to investigate the present status of superficial dermatophytoses and some changes on the frequency of the diseases, sex distributions and varieties of the causative organisms. The survey was made by 1486 out-patients of dermatology clinic of National Medical Center from May to August in 1978. Following results are obtained: 1. The incidence of superficial fungal infections including Tinea versicolor is 22. 2% and Tinea versicolor alone is 2. 8% among total l486 out-patients. 2. The ratio of male to female patients is 190:140 and shows more prevalence in male. 3. The age group from 20 to 29 shows the highest incidence and 38. 3% of all patients with superficial fungal infection falls in this age group. 4. Tinea pedis reveals the commonest disease and others in decreasing frequency are Tinea corporis, Onychomycosis, Tinea manus, Tinea corporis, Candidiasis and Tinea capitis. 5. Coexisting fungal infection is found in 60 patients and is most prevalent in the age group from 40 to 49, related to the ratio of age specific coexisting cases to each age group patients. 6. Tinea pedis with Onychomycosis reveals the most prevalent coexisting superficial fungal infection and others in decreasing frequencies are Tinea pedis with Tinea manus, Tinea pedis with Tinea cruris, Tinea cruris witb Tinea corporis and so on. 7. Positive rate of KOH mount among 362 scrapings is 64. 7% and Tinea cruris shows the highest positive rate (86. O%.) and Tinea corporis the next (78. 6%). 8. 187 strains are isolated by Sabourauds dextrose agar, 140 from positive KOH scrapings and 47 from negative KOH scrapings. a. Trichophyton rubrum is the most common organism of superficial dermatophytosis (43 8%) b, Microsporum species reveal the most common organism of Tinea capitis (80%).