Protective and therapeutic potentials of Dunaliella salina on aging-associated cardiac dysfunction in rats

Objective: To investigate the possible protective and/or therapeutic potentials of Dunaliella salina (D. salina) biomass, its carotenoid and polar fractions on cardiac dysfunction associated with D-galactose (D-GAL) induced aging in rats. Methods: Aging associated cardiac dysfunction was induced in rats by injection of D-GAL (200 mg/kg; i.p) for 8 weeks. D-GAL injected rats were treated with two regimens; protective regimen where D. salina biomass (250 mg/kg), its carotenoid (250 μg/kg) and polar (250 μg/kg) fractions were given orally for two weeks concurrently with D-GAL injection as well as treatment regimen where the three treatments were given orally for 28 consecutive days after D-GAL injection. Results: D-GAL injection for 8 weeks was accompanied with dramatic electrocardiographic changes as well as profound elevation in serum levels of homocysteine, creatinine kinase isoenzyme and lactate dehydrogenase in addition to the reduction of the cardiac content of glucose trasporter 4. D-GAL also induced reduction in cardiac superoxide dismutase activity and elevation of inducible nitric oxide synthetase and interleukin-6. On the other hand, oral administration of D. salina carotenoid fraction as well as the total biomass significantly attenuated the D-GAL-induced disturbances in the above mentioned parameters where the protective regimen appeared more successful in controlling the manifestations of cardiac dysfunction. The histopathological examination further emphasized the promising results. Besides, the HPLC analysis of the carotenoid fraction of D. salina revealed the presence of 2.31％ β-carotene. Conclusions: D. salina carotenoid fraction as well as the total biomass ameliorate D-GAL-induced aging associated cardiac dysfunction which is attributed to the potent antioxidant activity of β-carotene.

Familial eruptive dermatofibromas in atopic dermatitis.

Multiple eruptive dermatofibromas (MEDF) are rare and their aetiology is unknown. More than half of the patients with MEDF have underlying diseases, and more than 80% of the underlying diseases are immune mediated. Familial cases suggesting a genetic cause have also been reported. We report a case of familial eruptive dermatofibromas associated with atopic dermatitis, possibly caused by both hereditary factors and compromised immunity.

Recurrent herpes labialis during isotretinoin therapy: is there a role for photosensitivity?

Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) is one of the synthetic retinoids derived from vitamin A. Vitamin A derivatives demonstrate virucidal activity, both in vivo and in vitro. Isotretinoin has been used for the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex with encouraging results. However, we present a case with frequent attacks of herpes labialis during isotretinoin therapy for acne, who had a marked decrease in frequency of recurrences following strict use of sunscreens.

Disease-specific quality of life is associated with anxiety and depression in patients with acne.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the relationships between acne severity, anxiety, depression and disease-specific quality of life in patients with acne. METHOD: A total of 61 patients with acne vulgaris and 38 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Acne severity was assessed by the Global Acne Grading System. All patients were asked to complete the Acne Quality of Life Scale (AQOL), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), and healthy controls to fill only the HAD. RESULTS: The mean HAD anxiety subscale (HAD-A) and HAD depression subscale (HAD-D) scores of the patients were significantly higher than those of the controls. The rates of subjects at risk for anxiety (26.2%) and for depression (29.5%) were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (0% and 7.9%, respectively). We found no correlations between acne severity and scores of AQOL, DLQI, HAD-A and HAD-D. AQOL and DLQI scores were positively correlated with HAD-A and HAD-D scores in the patient group. The patients at risk for anxiety had significantly higher scores on AQOL and DLQI compared to those who were not at risk. There were no statistically significant differences between the female and male patients with respect to AQOL, DLQI, HAD-A and HAD-D scores. CONCLUSION: (1) Irrespective of the degree of severity, patients with acne are at increased risk for anxiety and depression compared to the normal population. (2) Acne negatively affects quality of life, and the greater the impairment of quality of life due to acne, the greater the level of anxiety and depression. (3) A greater impairment of dermatologic quality of life seems to put the patient at an increased risk for anxiety disorder.

Neutrophilic dermatosis of the hands (localized Sweet's syndrome) in association with chronic hepatitis C and sarcoidosis.

We report a case of recurrent localized Sweet's syndrome (SS) with pulmonary sarcoidosis and hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatitis C may be the triggering factor for both Sweet's syndrome and sarcoidosis through stimulation of T helper 1 immune responses involved in the pathogenesis of both diseases.

Severe erythema nodosum due to Behçet's disease responsive to erythromycin.

A patient with severe erythema nodosum due to Behçet's disease is reported on here. Erythema nodosum lesions did not respond to classical treatments; however, they cleared after erythromycin treatment, which was prescribed for the treatment of coincidental erythrasma. Erythromycin treatment appears to be an effective treatment option in erythema nodosum. The hypothetical anti-inflammatory effects of erythromycin, besides its antibiotic properties, are reviewed and discussed to explain such a clinical improvement.

[Serologic cross reactions of group B streptococci]. / Serologische Kreuzreaktionen von Gruppe-B-Streptokokken.

Group B streptococci contain sialic acid in their capsular polysaccharides thus resembling human and vertebrate glycoconjugates which are especially increased in human tumors. Sterical and conformational reasons are responsible for the fact, that certain streptococcal antigens do not react with antibodies, including monoclonal antibodies, against these carbohydrate structures. The usefulness of lectins in detecting streptococcal antigens is demonstrated with antigalactans. In summary, the relationships between the biochemical structure of streptococcal antigens on one side and the serological reactivity on the other side are not evident a priori, because there are many cross-reactions which, although being expected, serologically do not take place.