Baicalin suppresses Propionibacterium acnes-induced skin inflammation by downregulating the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway and inhibiting activation of NLRP3 inflammasome

Acne is a kind of common, chronic skin condition caused by the inflammation of the sebaceous glands in hair follicles. Recent studies have demonstrated that baicalin (BA) possesses potential anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of BA in vitro and in vivo. Heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes-induced THP-1 cells and live P. acnes-injected male Sprague Dawley rats were used for establishing the acne model. The rate of ear swelling was calculated, and the severity was determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The production of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)] in the cell supernatant and ear tissue homogenates was measured by ELISA. Protein levels of JNK, ERK, P38, IκBα, P65, Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), pro-caspase-1, and IL-1β in THP-1 cells and ear tissues were detected by western blotting. NLRP3 and IL-1β were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the NLRP3, IL-1β and pro-caspase-1 mRNAs were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that BA decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, BA down-regulated the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK1/2, and κBα and inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65. Furthermore, BA inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, at both the gene and protein levels. Taken together, the results demonstrated that BA might exert its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways and consequently suppressing the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome both in vivo and in vitro.

Galectin 3: an extraordinary multifunctional protein in dermatology. Current knowledge and perspectives

Abstract: Galectin 3 is a unique ~31 kDa protein that recognizes the N-acetyl-lactosamine structure of several glycoconjugates. It mainly occurs in epithelial and myeloid cells, but is also found in a variety of human cell types. In view of the crucial role played by galectin 3 in the regulation of cellular processes of essential importance and in the pathogenetic mechanisms of diverse disorders, it is not surprising that, particularly in the last three decades, the attention of the scientific community has been increasingly drawn to this extraordinary and multifunctional galectin. In this paper the authors summarize current knowledge on the expression of galectin 3 in normal and diseased human skin, its implications in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and prognosis of cutaneous disorders, and the perspectives of a novel approach to the treatment of the latter using galectin 3 or its inhibitors/antagonists.

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis: A case report

Abstract Introduction Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (APD) is a rare autoimmune dermatosis characterized by recurrent cutaneous and mucosal lesions during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle that disappear some days after the menses. Case Report A 34-year-old primipara woman with no significant past medical history and no prior exogenous hormone use, who presented with cyclic skin eruptions starting 1 year after the delivery. The lesions occurred 6 days before the menses and disappeared in between 1 and 2 days after the menstruation ceased. The patient was diagnosed after a positive response to an intradermal test with progesterone and was successfully treated with combined oral contraceptives. The skin eruptions have not returned since the initiation of this therapy. Conclusion Dermatologists, gynecologists, and obstetricians should be aware of this rare entity. Furthermore, if this condition is suspected, a thorough history taking on the menstrual cycle and results of the intradermal progesterone test are mandatory.

Does dexamethasone act in neuropeptides SP and CGRP in neurogenic inflammation of the skin? An experimental study

PURPOSE: To investigate the neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) after subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone prior to skin incision in rats.METHODS:Twenty seven Wistar-EPM-1 rats were randomly divided into three groups. The sham group (SG) of rats was injected with 0.9 % saline. The second group (Dexa) was injected with 1.0 mg/kg dexamethasone, and the third group (Dexa+) was injected with 10.0 mg/kg dexamethasone. In all groups, the three subcutaneous injections were performed 30 minutes prior to the surgical skin incision and tissue collection. SP and CGRP (15 kDa pro-CGRP and 5 kDa CGRP) were quantified by Western Blotting.RESULTS: No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were found in pro-CGRP, CGRP and SP values in all three groups.CONCLUSION:The anti-inflammatory effect of dexamethasone did not occur when the substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide levels were altered during the neurogenic inflammation process of skin wound healing in rats.

Case for diagnosis

Graham-Little-Piccardi-Lassueur Syndrome is a rare form of Lichen Planus, characterized by the presence of the triad: non-scarring hair loss in the inguinal and axillary regions and follicular spinous or disseminated acuminate papules; typical, cutaneous or mucous LP; and scarring alopecia of the scalp with or without atrophy. These features do not have to be present simultaneously.

Anti-inflammatory activity of compounds isolated from Astragalus sinicus L. in cytokine-induced keratinocytes and skin

Inflammation is a part of the complex biological responses of a tissue to injury that protect the organ by removing injurious stimuli and initiating the healing process, and is considered as a mechanism of innate immunity. To identify biologically active compounds against pathogenic inflammatory and immune responses, we fractionated water, aqueous methanol and n-hexane layers from nine kinds of leguminosae and examined anti-inflammatory activity of the fractions in human keratinocytes and mouse skin. Among the fractions, rf3 and rf4, isolated from the aqueous methanol layer of Astragalus sinicus L., exhibited the strongest reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities as measured by inhibition of the intracellular ROS production, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling in cytokine-stimulated human keratinocytes, as well as by effects on T-cell differentiation in mouse CD4+ T cells. In addition, topical application of rf3 and rf4 suppressed the progression of psoriasis-like dermatitis and expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in interleukin (IL)-23-injected mouse ears. Our results suggest that Astragalus sinicus L. may ameliorate chronic inflammatory skin diseases due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities via regulation of the intracellular ROS production, NF-kappaB, JAK/STAT and PI3/Akt signaling cascades as well as immune responses, and these results are the first report that Astragalus sinicus L. exhibits pharmacological activity.

Physicians’ responsibility for antibiotic use in infants from periurban Lima, Peru / Responsabilidad del médico en el uso de antibióticos en niños menores de 1 año de zonas periurbanas de Lima, Perú

Objetivo. Describir el uso de antibióticos en niños de 2 a 12 meses de edad en entornos donde estos medicamentos se pueden obtener sin prescripción. Métodos. Se analizaron los datos de un estudio de cohorte efectuado entre septiembre del 2006 y diciembre del 2007 en 1 023 niños menores de 2 meses de la zonaperiurbana de Lima, Perú, cuyo seguimiento se realizó hasta el año de edad. Resultados. De los 1 023 niños, 770 (75,3%) tomaron 2 085 tandas de tratamiento antibiótico. Se registraron dos tandas por niño por año (rango 0–12). Las tasas más elevadas de uso de antibióticos se encontraron en los niños de 3 a 6 meses (37,2%). Los niños recibieron antibióticos para 8,2% de los resfriados comunes, 58,6% de las faringitis, 66,0% de las bronquitis, 40,7% de las diarreas, 22,8% de las dermatitis y 12,0% de las obstruccionesbronquiales. La prescripción de un médico fue la razón más frecuente para el uso de antibióticos (90,8%). Se comprobó el uso de medicamentos sin prescripción en 6,9% de los niños, y en 63,9% de ellos este fue precedido por una prescripción médica. Conclusiones. En el entorno estudiado, los niños menores de 1 año a menudo estánexpuestos a los antibióticos. El abuso de los antibióticos es frecuente ante enfermedades como faringitis, bronquitis, obstrucción bronquial y diarrea, pero por lo general es inadecuado (83,1% de las tandas de tratamiento antibiótico) según las etiologías más comunes en este grupo etario. Las intervenciones dirigidas a mejorar el uso de los antibióticos deben concentrarse en los médicos, ya que la prescripción médica fue la razón más común para el uso de antibióticos.

Objective. To describe the use of antibiotics in Peruvian children under 1 year in a setting where they are available without a prescription. Methods. Data were analyzed from a cohort study between September 2006 and December 2007 of 1 023 children < 2 months old in periurban Lima, Peru, followed until they were 1 year old. Results. Seven hundred seventy of 1 023 (75.3%) children took 2 085 courses of antibiotics. There were two courses per child per year (range 0–12). Higher rates of antibiotic usewere found in children 3–6 months old (37.2%). Antibiotics were given to children for 8.2% of common colds, 58.6% of all pharyngitis, 66.0% of bronchitis, 40.7% of diarrheas, 22.8%of dermatitis, and 12.0% of bronchial obstructions. A physician’s prescription was the most common reason for antibiotic use (90.8%). Medication use without a prescription was found in 6.9% of children, and in 63.9% of them it was preceded by a physician’s prescription. Conclusions. Infants are often exposed to antibiotics in this setting. Overuse of antibiotics is common for diagnoses such as pharyngitis, bronchitis, bronchial obstruction, and diarrhea but is typically inappropriate (83.1% of courses) based on the most common etiologies for this age group. Interventions to improve the use of antibiotics should focus on physicians, since a physician’s prescription was the most common reason for antibiotic use.

Comparação entre as administrações tópica e sistêmica de oxitetraciclina no tratamento de vacas com dermatite digital papilomatosa / Efficacy of topical and systemic treatments with oxytetracycline for papillomatous digital dermatitis in cows

Comparou-se a eficiência dos tratamentos tópico e sistêmico com oxitetraciclina em vacas com dermatite digital papilomatosa (DDP) e determinaram-se a presença de resíduos desse antimicrobiano no leite e sua concentração no líquido sinovial e no plasma. Utilizaram-se o tratamento tópico com oxitetraciclina em pó (grupo 1) e o sistêmico de longa ação (grupo 2) em 16 vacas holandesas em lactação, acometidas por DDP. Obtiveram-se amostras de plasma, líquido sinovial e leite nos momentos: M0, antes dos tratamentos; M1, seis horas após o tratamento e em intervalos de 12 horas até M23 (264 horas pós-tratamentos). Avaliaram-se o grau de claudicação, a extensão da lesão e a concentração da oxitetraciclina pela cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Nas vacas do grupo 1, ocorreu redução das lesões e da claudicação, quando comparadas com as do grupo 2. Nenhuma das amostras de leite, de líquido sinovial e de plasma nos animais do grupo 1 foi positiva para oxitetraciclina. As amostras de leite dos animais do grupo 2, entre M1 e M23, apresentaram valores acima do limite máximo residual permitido para esse antimicrobiano. O tratamento tópico foi eficiente no tratamento de DDP, sem produzir resíduos no leite ou concentrações no plasma e no líquido sinovial. O tratamento sistêmico foi ineficiente para DDP, resultando em resíduos no leite, durante a avaliação.

The efficacy of topical versus systemic treatment with oxytetracycline for papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) in dairy cows was compared. Antimicrobial residues in milk and their concentrations in synovial fluid and plasma were analysed. Sixteen lactating Holstein cows with PDD lesions were topically treated with oxytetracycline powder (group 1) or long-acting oxytetracycline (group 2). Plasma, synovial fluid, and milk samples were collected in the following moments: M0 (before treatments); at six hours after treatments (M1), and at 12-hour intervals until 264 hours after treatments (M23). Lameness score and lesion size were evaluated. Analysis of oxytetracycline concentration was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cows in group 1 showed reduced lesion size and lameness score when compared to cows in group 2. None of the plasma, synovial fluid, or milk samples collected from cows in group 1 were positive to oxytetracycline. However, violative antimicrobial residues were detected in milk samples collected from cows in group 2, from M1 until M23. Topical application of oxytetracycline powder was an efficient treatment for PDD with no risk of violative antimicrobial residues in milk or increases its concentration in plasma or synovial fluid. The systemic administration of oxytetracycline was inefficient to treat PDD and caused violative residues in milk.

Polimorfismos dos genes HLA e regiões promotoras do TNF-'alfa'-238 e -308 como fatores de sucetibilidade a psoriase e gravidade da doença / HLA and TNF-Alpha promoter regions -238 and -308 polymorphisms and marks of susceptibility to psoriasis and severety of the disease

Psoríase é uma dermatose inflamatória crônica, determinada por desregulação do sistema imune e associada a várias comorbidades. O marcador genético mais associado à psoríase em todas as populações é o HLA-CW06. Polimorfismos na região promotora do TNF-a, especialmente a troca de uma guanina por uma adenina nas posições -238 e -308 estão relacionados à alta produção de TNF-a e risco aumentado para psoríase nas populações caucasóides e não em asiáticos. Com o objetivo de determinar se polimorfismos destes genes podem ser fatores de risco para susceptibilidade ou gravidade da doença em pacientes brasileiros, foi realizado um estudo caso-controle com 69 pacientes com psoríase de início até 40 anos, com acompanhamento por dez anos para caracterização de sua evolução clínica em doença leve (grupo I) e grave (grupo II), e 70 indivíduos sadios. Foi feita a identificação dos alelos HLA classe I e II e SNPs da região promotora do TNF-a -238 e -308. Coletaram-se 10 mL de sangue periférico dos indivíduos e se realizou a extração do DNA através do método salting out. O DNA foi amplificado pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), com primers sequência-específica. As freqüências alélicas e gênicas foram estimadas por contagem direta e a comparação entre as frequências dos grupos foi efetuada por Teste de Fisher (programa GraphPad InStat 3.05). Dois métodos computacionais foram usados...

Psoriasis is an erythematous, scaly inflammatory dermatosis with a complex immunologic basis. The strongest genetic marker for psoriasis is HLA-Cw*06. Polymorphisms in the TNF-a promoter region, especially replacement of guanine with adenine in positions -238 and -308 are related to higher TNF-a production and higher risk for psoriasis in Caucasoid populations, not found in Asians. We did a case-control study of 69 patients with psoriasis type I and 70 controls, characterized clinical progression along 10-years of follow-up in mild or severe disease and determined HLA class I, II and TNF-a SNPs -238 and -308 polymorphisms to demonstrate whether these polymorphisms may be genetic risk for susceptibility to psoriasis or severity of the disease in Brazilians. Peripheral blood (10 ml) was collected. Genomic DNA from both psoriasis patients and controls was isolated using a salting out procedure. Polymorphisms were identified by PCR/SSP. Alleles and genotypes frequencies were compared by Fisher's test (GraphPad InStat 3.05 software). Two computational methods were used to determine the haplotypes of each subject, without taking into account any prior information: (1) the ELB algorithm implemented by the ARLEQUIN 3.1 software and (2) a coalescence based method as...

Acción antiedemagénica de los extractos de corteza del fruto de Citrus sinensis L y Citrus aurantiun L en modelo de hiperpermeabilidad vascular en ratas / Anti-edematogenic action of extracts from Citrus sinensis L and Citrus aurantium L fruit barks on a vascular hypermeability model in rats

Introducción: a los extractos de Citrus sinensis L. y Citrus aurantium L. se les atribuyen acciones farmacológicas útiles para las enfermedades circulatorias, sin embargo, no existe una demostración científica que pueda avalar tales efectos. Objetivo: evaluar la acción antiedemagénica de los extractos de corteza del fruto seca de Citrus sinensis L. y Citrus aurantium L. Métodos: se calculó el área del edema formado en la piel del lomo de las ratas tratadas con extractos de Citrus sinensis L. y Citrus aurantium L. 60 ratas Wistar con peso promedio de 250 g, fueron divididas en 3 grupos de 20 animales cada una y tratadas con los extractos por vía oral (50, 100 y 200 mg/kg) en distintos tiempo (2 h; 3, 7 y 14 d); 24 h después de tratadas se inyectó por vía intradérmica histamina y dextrana grado A 200-27500 para inducirle el incremento de la permeabilidad. Se midieron los edemas producidos en el lomo de las ratas. Se calculó el área y se comparó con el grupo control. Resultados: se observó marcada reducción de edemas en la piel de las ratas tratadas al compararlas con los controles. El tiempo óptimo de tratamiento para producir el efecto deseado fue de 7 d Conclusiones: se demostró la acción antiedemagénica de los extractos estudiados.

Introduction useful pharmacological actions upon circulatory disorders have been attributed to the Citrus sinensis L. and Citrus aurantium extracts. However, there is no scientific evidence endorsing such benefits. Objective: to evaluate the anti-edematogenic action of extracts from Citrus sinensis L. y Citrus aurantium dry fruit barks. Methods: the edematous area that appeared on the rat´s back skin, which had been treated with extracts from Citrus sinensis L. y Citrus aurantium, was estimated. Sixty Wistar rats weighing 250 g as average were divided into 3 groups of 20 animals each and orally treated with the extracts (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) at different intervals (2 h; 3, 7 and 14 days); 24 hours after treatment, they were intradermically injected histamine and grade A dextrane 200-27500 in order to induce increased permeability. All the edemas on the back of rats were measured. The area was estimated and compared with that of the control group. Results: substantial reduction of edemas on the skin of treated rats was observed when making a comparison with the control group. The optimal treatment time to reach the desired effect was 7 days. Conclusions: the anti-edematogenic action of the studied extracts was demonstrated.

Acquired Blaschkoid dermatitis.

Acquired Blaschkoid dermatitis characterised by unilateral relapsing inflammatory disease along the lines of Blaschko. A 40-year-old Indian male presented with unilateral erythematous, itchy grouped papules on the left side of the chest, abdomen, back and left arm of 15 days duration. The eruption stopped abruptly at the midline of the torso, completely sparing the right side of the body. The lesions were arranged in whorls and streaks corresponding to the lines of Blaschko. Skin biopsy showed hyperkeratosis and features suggestive of sub-acute spongiotic dermatitis with lymphocytic infiltrate around the blood vessels in the dermis. Patient was diagnosed as a case of Blaschkoid dermatitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of this condition being reported from India.

Candid-B cream in the treatment of candidiasis with inflammatory dermatoses--National Study Group.

Physicians (n = 84) across the country prescribed candid-B cream (clotrimazole 1% + beclomethasone dipropionate 0.025%) on 822 patients suffering from candidiasis with inflammatory diseases to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination. The results showed reduction in severity was more than 80% for all symptoms/signs except scaling and lichenification where the reduction was 76.05% and 66.03% respectively. Only one patient complained of adverse reaction. So in the treatment of coexisting candidiasis and inflammatory dermatoses the combination of clotrimazole 1% + beclomethasone 0.025% (candid-B cream) was found to be highly effective.

HTLV-I Associated infective dermatitis may be an indolent HTLV-I associated lymphoma

When present for a first time blood donation, a 28-year-old Brazilian white female reported a pruritic eczema of the scalp and retroauricular areas since childhood that had been frequently infected. Her mother had been diagnosed as having HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM), and the patient was found to be a human T-lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) carrier. The patient had been breast-fed for 6 months. The patient had a complete examination, and a biopsy was taken from eczema in the retroauricular area. The byopsy indicated chronic lymphohistiocytic dermatitis with no abnormal lymphocystes. Eleven months later, the patient had an infliltration in the skin of the retroauricular area and a new biopsy revealed atypical lymphocytes. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive for HTLV-I and immunohistochemistry of the tissue at this time confirmed adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Retrospective immunohistochemistry showed that the first fragment submitted from the biopsy 11 months before was also compatible with the diagnosis of ATLL. This case fulfilled all major criteria for diagnosis of HTLV-I-associated infective dermatitis (HTLV-I-ID). We postulate that the patient has indolent ATLL associated with HTLV-I infective dermatitis since childhood. We recommended that tissue immunohistochemistry analysis be done in any patient with HTLV-associated infective dermatitis.