Assessment of serum granulysin and cathepsin-L levels in vitiligo patients

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Cellular and humoral immunity plays a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. T lymphocytes and natural killer cells involved in cellular immunity carry out their cytotoxic activities through perforin/granzyme-dependent granule exocytosis, in which granulysin and cathepsin-L are also involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of serum granulysin and cathepsin-L in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo and their association with disease activity and severity. METHODS: This randomized, prospective case-control study was conducted with 46 vitiligo patients admitted to the hospital for vitiligo between January and November 2021 and 46 healthy volunteers of similar age and gender. Serum levels of granulysin and cathepsin-L were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: The mean serum levels of granulysin and cathepsin-L were statistically significantly higher in vitiligo patients compared with the control group (p=0.048 and p=0.024, respectively). There was no statistically significant correlation between serum granulysin and serum cathepsin-L levels and disease severity in the patient group (r=0.30, p=0.062 and r=0.268, p=0.071, respectively). Disease activity also showed no significant association with serum granulysin and cathepsin-L levels (p=0.986 and p=0.962, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although granulysin and cathepsin-L are molecules involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, the use of these molecules may not be helpful in assessing disease activity and severity. It may be helpful to conduct comprehensive and prospective studies to find new molecules to fill the gap in this area.

Adult acne versus adolescent acne: a narrative review with a focus on epidemiology to treatment

Abstract Acne vulgaris is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases and is characterized by papules, pustules, comedones, and nodules. Although adolescence is the preferential age group, acne may affect various age groups. Acne shares different properties in adults and adolescents. These differences extend from epidemiology to treatments. Increased awareness of these two subtypes will allow for better management of the disease. In this review, the authors examined all aspects of acne in adults and adolescents under the light of current literature.

Evaluation of omalizumab at certain time intervals in patients with chronic spontaneous idiopathic urticaria

Background:In this study, we aimed to evaluate the response of patient treated with omalizumab at certain time intervals through 6 months with pruritus visual analog scale, urticaria activity score and quality of life indexes. Methods:The study was performed on ten patients diagnosed with chronic idiopathic spontaneous urticaria.The disease was assessed by the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL) and Dermatology Life Quality Index(DLQI) for every 2 weeks while was assessed by Urticaria Activity Score (UAS-7) and Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) for once a week during the 6-month treatment period.Statistical significance was evaluated using the Mann-WhitneyUtest in SPSS 20.Results:Pre-treatment values of the DLQI, CU-Q2oL, UAS-7, and PVAS was statistically higher than post-treatment values of these indexes (p<0.05). The mean DLQI/ CU-Q2oLvalue of the patients beforetreatment was 17±6.09/ 52.87±22.07 while it was 19.4±16.36 at the end of 2nd-week post-injection per month, and was 21.85±16.56 at the end of 4nd-week post-injection per month during 6-months following. Statistically, PVAS score at the 4thweek was higher than 2nd and 3rdweeks(p<0.042, p<0.007).Conclusions:In this study, it was detected that omalizumab had a significant effect on DLQI, CU-Q2oL, UAS-7, PVAS scores in CISU. It can be concluded that significant increase of PVAS score at 4th week compared to scores at 2nd and 3rd week may necessitate the use of omalizumab combined with antihistamines at 4th week of the treatment

Facial paralysis probably related to systemic isotretinoin

We report a patient with severe acne who developed facial paralysis after two months of treatment with oral isotretinoin. Drug withdrawal resulted in a complete clinical recovery. Our case and a review of the literature indicate that oral isotretinoin might be capable of causing a dysfunction of predominantly sensory nerve fibers in some individuals. Clinicians should be aware of possible neurological sensorial symptoms during isotretinoin therapy

Dipyridamole reduces penile apoptosis in a rat model of post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction

ABSTRACT Purpose: Despite the nerve-sparing technique, many patients suffer from erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy (RP) due to cavernous nerve injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate dipyridamole as a potential treatment agent of post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction. Material and methods: A total of 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three experimental Groups (SHAM+DMSO, BCNI+DMSO and BCNI+DIP). An animal model of bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury (BCNI) was established to mimic the partial nerve damage during nerve-sparing RP. After creating of BCNI, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) was administered transperitoneally as a vehicle to SHAM+DMSO and BCNI+DMSO Groups. BCNI+DIP Group received dipyiridamole (10mg/kg/day) as a solution in DMSO for 15 days. Afterwards, rats were evaluated for in vivo erectile response to cavernous nerve stimulation. Penile tissues were also analyzed biochemically for transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) level. Penile corporal apoptosis was determined by TUNEL method. Results: Erectile response was decreased in rats with BCNI and there was no significant improvement with dipyridamole treatment. TGF-β1 levels were increased in rats with BCNI and decreased with dipyridamole treatment. Dipyridamole led to reduced penile apoptosis in rats with BCNI and there was no significant difference when compared to sham operated rats. Conclusions: Although fifteen-day dipyridamole treatment has failed to improve erectile function in rats with BCNI, the decline in both TGF-β1 levels and apoptotic indices with treatment may be helpful in protecting penile morphology after cavernous nerve injury.

The possible protective effects of dipyridamole on ischemic reperfusion injury of priapism

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the protective effects against ischemia reperfusion injury of dipyridamole in a model of induced priapism in rats. Materials and Methods Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups, control, P/R, P/R+DMSO and P/R+D. 3ml blood specimens were collected from vena cava inferior in order to determine serum MDA, IMA, TAS, TOS and OSI values, and penile tissue was taken for histopathological examination in control group. Priapism was induced in P/R group. After 1h, priapism was concluded and 30 min reperfusion was performed. In P/R+DMSO group 1ml/kg DMSO was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before reperfusion, while in P/R+D group 10mg/kg dipyridamole was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before reperfusion. Blood and penis specimens were collected after the end of 30 min reperfusion period. Sinusoidal area (µm2), tears in tunica albuginea and injury parameters in sinusoidal endothelium of penis were investigated. Results Histopathological examination revealed no significant changes in term of sinusoidal area. A decrease in tears was observed in P/R+D group compared to P/R group (p<0.05). Endothelial injury decreased in P/R+D group compared to P/R group (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in MDA and IMA values between groups. A significant increase in TOS and OSI values was observed in P/R+D group compared to P/R group. A significant decrease in TAS levels was observed in P/R+D group compared to the P/R group. Conclusions The administration of dipyridamole before reperfusion in ischemic priapism model has a potential protective effect against histopathological injury of the penis.