Effects of 630 nm Light-Emitting Diode Irradiation on Caveolin-1 and Procollagen I and III Expression in Human Dermal Fibroblasts / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that light-emitting diodes (LED) may represent a novel and effective anti-aging light source for the skin. Among many candidate molecules known to control collagens, caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is known to play an inhibitory role in cutaneous collagen metabolism. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of LED irradiation on the expression levels of Cav-1 and procollagens (proCOLs) in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). METHODS: Cultured HDFs were irradiated with 630 nm LED at different doses, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of Cav-1 and proCOLs I/III were analyzed. RESULTS: In LED-irradiated HDFs, mRNA and protein levels of Cav-1 were found to be down-regulated, whereas those of proCOLs I/III were up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner. A negative correlation between Cav-1 and proCOLs was verified in Cav-1 siRNA transfected HDFs. LED was moreover found to result in up-regulation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and its receptors (TbetaRI, TbetaRII), SMAD1, and SMAD2 mRNA levels, indicating that LED may activate the TGF-1/TbetaR/SMAD pathway in HDFs. CONCLUSION: The anti-aging effects of 630 nm LED on human skin are likely mediated by up-regulation of proCOLs I/III and inhibition of Cav-1 expression levels in HDFs.

A Clinical Study of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis over the Last Five-year Period in the Gwangju-Chonnam Area / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe mucocutaneous reactions which are most frequently caused by drugs. The incidence of SJS and TEN is known to be relatively low, however the outcomes may be fatal. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical feature and outcome of 32 patients diagnosed with SJS and TEN. METHODS: Thirty two patients (17 males, 15 females, mean age 50.8 years) with SJS and TEN, diagnosed at the Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Hospital from January 2001 to December 2005, were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty two patients were clinically classified with SJS (n=15, 46.9%), overlap SJS/TEN (n=3, 9.4%) and TEN (n=14, 43.7%). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were most commonly suspected as the causative drug in this series. All patients had involvement of the mucosa, except two. More than two sites were affected in 68.8 percent of cases. Nineteen patients (59.4%) showed abnormal liver function and three patients (9.4%) showed abnormal renal function. Five patients (15.6%) showed leukocytopenia and twenty four patients showed increased lactate dehydrogenase activity. Complications, mainly in the TEN group, included pneumonia, toxic hepatitis, wound infection, septicemia and multiorgan failure. Two patients died from septicemia and multiorgan failure. CONCLUSION: The mortality from SJS and TEN has been quoted as being about 5% and 30%, respectively. However, the mortality in our study was relatively low (SJS 0%, TEN 14.3%). Early intensive treatment is important for reducing the mortality rate in SJS/TEN.