RESUMO
Background: vitiligo is a common, acquired, discoloration of the skin, characterized by well circumscribed, ivory or chalky white macules and patches. Researchers suggested that vitiligo may arise from autoimmune [AI], genetic, oxidative stress or neural causes. Zinc [Zn] and copper [Cu] are trace elements that are required in minutely small doses. The unique process of keratinization and melanin formation is enzyme-dependent and therefore could be influenced by trace elements deficiencies or excesses as trace elements are involved in enzymatic activities and immunologic reactions
Aim of work: this study aimed to detect the levels and roles of serum Zn and Cu in the pathogenesis of vitiligo
Patients and methods: our study included 50 vitiligo patients and 50 apparently healthy controls. Age of study groups ranged from 15 to 60 years and both sexes. Serum Zn and Cu levels were measured in each study group
Results: serum Zn levels were statistically significant lower in both the studied groups, but in vitiligo group they were much lower than the control group. Serum Cu levels were statistically insignificant higher in vitiligo group than the control group
Conclusion: there is a relationship between vitiligo and serum Zn. Further studies are needed to obtain better knowledge about effect of the trace elements in vitiligo patients
RESUMO
Background: vitiligo is a common, acquired, discoloration of the skin, characterized by well circumscribed, ivory or chalky white macules and patches. Researchers suggested that vitiligo may arise from autoimmune [AI], genetic, oxidative stress or neural causes. Zinc [Zn] and copper [Cu] are trace elements that are required in minutely small doses. The unique process of keratinization and melanin formation is enzyme-dependent and therefore could be influenced by trace elements deficiencies or excesses as trace elements are involved in enzymatic activities and immunologic reactions
Aim of work: this study aimed to detect the levels and roles of serum Zn and Cu in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Patients and methods: our study included 50 vitiligo patients and 50 apparently healthy controls. Age of study groups ranged from 15 to 60 years and both sexes. Serum Zn and Cu levels were measured in each study group
Results: serum Zn levels were statistically significant lower in both the studied groups, but in vitiligo group they were much lower than the control group. Serum Cu levels were statistically insignificant higher in vitiligo group than the control group
Conclusion: there is a relationship between vitiligo and serum Zn. Further studies are needed to obtain better knowledge about effect of the trace elements in vitiligo patients
RESUMO
Background: Warts are tumors or growths caused by infection with Human Papilloma virus [HPV]. More than 100 HPV subtypes are known. They are a common presenting disease in children and adolescents which spread by direct contact or autoinoculation
The aim of the Work: The aim of this work was to assess and compare the efficacy and safety of oral zinc sulphate and amino acids chelated zinc in treatment of viral warts
Patients and Methods: This cross sectional case control study included 60 patients with multiple viral warts who were collected from the Dermatology, STDs and Andrology outpatient clinic of Fayoum university hospital during the period from November 2014 to November 2015. The patients were 29 males and 31 females with ages ranging from 15 to 60 years
Results: There was statistically significant difference in degree of response in zinc and control groups as no patient in control group showed any response while in both zinc groups 27.5% of patients showed variable degrees of response. Also, there was no statistically significant difference in degree of response in both zinc groups
Conclusion: Oral zinc in its both forms used in our study is safe but needs time to act and the response is not high, so it is not fit to be used as a monotherapy, but rather to be combined with other wart treatment modalities
Recommendations: More studies are needed to assess the therapeutic effect of zinc and its efficacy in combinations in warts treatment with higher doses and longer duration of treatment