The clinical efficacy of treatment using the autologous non-cultured epidermal cell suspension technique for stable vitiligo in 41 patients.

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation skin disorder mainly caused by the destruction of melanocytes. There are many therapeutic options available for vitiligo, but the options are not uniformly effective.Objectives: This study aimed to explore the clinical effect of the autologous non-cultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES) technique in the treatment of patients with stable vitiligo.Methods: A retrospective study of before-after comparisons was undertaken with 41 patients with stable vitiligo who received treatment with the NCES technique. The percentage of repigmentation area was evaluated using image analysis of the appearance before and 6-9 months after operation.Results: A total of 41 patients (18 males and 23 females) with a duration of clinical stability for ranging from 1 to 10 years (mean 1.6 ± 1.9) were included. The mean age was 20.2 years (range, 8-50) and 4 (9.8%) were children under the age of 14 years. After 6-9 months of follow-up, 80.5% (33/41) of the patients showed good response; among these patients, 17.1% (7/41) showed complete or almost complete repigmentation. Interestingly, all 4 children showed very good response (more than 76% repigmentation). There were no significant differences in the efficacy of treatment between the different transplantation areas of the facial neck, trunk, and distal limbs and there were no adverse effects such as infection or scar formation.Limitation: This study included only a single center with a small sample size.Conclusions: Our study shows that the NCES technique has a high therapeutic effect, is safe for patients with stable vitiligo, and may be a very promising potential option for treating children.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist-mediated inhibition of cell growth is independent of apoptosis in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells.

Evidence suggests that peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) acts as a tumor suppressor in multiple types of cancer; however, the role of action of PPAR-γ on human epidermoid carcinoma is unclear. The present study investigated the effects of a PPAR-γ agonist, rosiglitazone, on human epidermoid carcinoma cell growth using the A431 cell line. The effects of rosiglitazone on cell viability and proliferation were evaluated with MTS and [3H] thymidine incorporation assays. The effects of rosiglitazone on the cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry, and western blotting. It was identified that rosiglitazone inhibited A431 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, increased the proportion of cells in the G1 phase, but did not affect apoptosis. Consistently, there was a significant decrease in the expression of cell proliferation-associated proteins, including cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)2 and Cdk4 in A431 cells treated with rosiglitazone. This decrease was rescued by a selective antagonist of PPAR-γ or specific PPAR-γ small interfering RNAs. However, the ratio of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) to Bcl-2 associated X protein, which is associated with cell apoptosis, was not affected by these treatments. The data of the present study suggest that the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone inhibits human epidermoid carcinoma cell growth through regulating the expression of the cell cycle-associated proteins, and that this effect is independent of apoptosis.

[Distribution of podophyllotoxin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers after topical application on cervical mucosa in Tibet minipigs].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the distribution and systemic toxicity of podophyllotoxin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (POD-NLC) after topical application on the cervical mucosa in Tibet minipigs. METHODS: Twelve Tibet mini-pigs were randomized into test group and control group to receive topical application of 0.5% POD-NLC and 0.5% POD tincture, respectively, on the cervical mucosa. Cervical mucosal irritation, targeted distribution and systemic absorption of POD were observed at different time points within 24 h after the drug application. RESULTS: No local inflammation reaction was observed in the test group, while serious local irritations (swelling, blisters, blood blisters, erosion and ulceration) occurred in the control group. The fluorescence intensity of POD in the mucosal tissue reached the peak level at 4 h after drug application in the control group, while the POD fluorescence intensity increased slowly and reached the peak level at 16 h in the test group. The peak blood POD concentration occurred at 6 h after POD-NLC application in the test group (14.28∓0.33 ng/mL), as compared to 4 h in the control group (42.46∓0.32 ng/mL). At all the time points within 24 h, blood POD concentration remained significantly lower in the test group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the area under curve of blood POD concentration in the control group was 1.38-fold greater than that in the test group. CONCLUSION: POD-NLC allows sustained release of POD and achieves a higher POD concentration in the mucosal tissue without causing local irritation or obvious systemic toxicity in Tibet minipigs.