ABSTRACT
Objectives: psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Chronic inflammation results in increased oxidative stress and oxidizes lipoproteins, increasing their atherogenicity. This study sought to estimate the levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein [ox-LDL] and antibodies against oxidized LDL [anti-ox-LDL] and compute the ratio of anti-ox-LDL/ ox-LDL as a single composite parameter to assess the oxidative lipoprotein burden as an indicator of cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriasis
Methods: this cross-sectional study included 45 patients with psoriasis. All patients were given a psoriasis severity index score and their ox-LDL and anti-ox-LDL estimated using ELISA
Results: the results of this study show an elevation in the ratio of anti-ox-LDL to ox-LDL in patients with psoriasis, which initiate and perpetuate the pathogenesis of psoriasis and its comorbidity, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Conclusions: our results suggest that an elevated ratio of anti-ox-LDL/ox-LDL can serve as a composite parameter reflecting the total oxidative lipoprotein burden and cardiovascular risk in psoriasis patients
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Hair Follicle/pathology , Humans , Neurofibroma/pathology , Neurofibromatosis 1/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathologySubject(s)
Adult , Collagen Diseases/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Scalp/pathology , Scalp Dermatoses/diagnosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Suction blister grafting is a useful modality of treatment of patients with resistant and stable vitiligo. However, there have been no detailed studies to find out the best donor site for blister formation. METHODS: The study was conducted between the period of October 2004 and February 2005 in the dermatology department at a tertiary care center. Nine patients with vitiligo (focal vitiligo, 3; mucosal vitiligo, 2; acrofacial vitiligo, 2; vitiligo vulgaris, 1; and segmental vitiligo, 1) were selected for blister harvesting and grafting. The blisters were raised using the method described by Gupta et al. RESULTS: Suction blisters were attempted to be raised at 52 sites, but only 38 blisters could be raised, 24 complete and 14 incomplete. Blisters were raised in all the three cases on the flexor aspect of the arm (100%), 15 of 17 cases (88.2%) on the flexor aspect of the forearm, 4 of 5 cases (80%) on the abdomen, 11 of 16 cases (68.7%) on the anterolateral thigh, and less frequently over leg or foot. Complete blisters were formed in 13/15 cases (86.6%) on the flexor aspect of the forearm, 6/11 cases (54.5%) on the anterolateral thigh, and in all cases over leg. CONCLUSION: The flexor aspect of the forearm is a good site for suction blister harvesting.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Child , Epidermis/transplantation , Female , Humans , Male , Skin Transplantation/adverse effects , Suction , Transplantation, Autologous , Vitiligo/surgeryABSTRACT
A 28-year-old man came to us with a solitary skin colored, mildly tender nodule of 6 months duration on the dorsum of the right hand. On histological examination, multiple dilated ducts without apparent continuity with the surface were found in the dermis. These dilated ducts had branching tubules with eosinophilic amorphous material filling most of the lumina. The peripheral cells of the tubules resembled myoepithelial cells, whereas the luminal border cells were cuboidal or low columnar. Papillary projections arising from the inner cells were seen extending into the lumen. These features were diagnostic of a rare tumor, papillary eccrine adenoma.
ABSTRACT
The efficacy of cyclosporine and related drugs in the treatment of psoriasis was the key to the development of the concept that psoriasis is an immune mediated disorder. These therapies demonstrably reduce the number of activated T-lymphocytes, which correlates with clinical remission. Monoclonal antibodies directed against key components of the inflammatory process have been studied in an attempt to produce safer, more effective and selective immunosuppressive agents. This review summarizes the information available on cyclosporine and related drugs, and cytokine therapy, including monoclonal antibodies directed against T-cell mediated inflammation. It should be realized that biologic therapies for psoriasis are very new and that efficacy and safety information from clinical trials is just becoming available.