ABSTRACT
Background: Atrophic acne scarring is a permanent complication of acne vulgaris. It has a high prevalence and significant impact on the quality of life. We compared between the efficacy and safety of microneedling (dermapen) and superficial chemical peeling by Jessner's solution for treatment of atrophic acne scars. Materials/Methods: Sixty patients who had atrophic acne scars were divided randomizely into three groups. Group Ι included 20 patients and were treated with dermapen, group ΙΙ included 20 patients and were treated with Jessner's solution peeling, and group ΙΙΙ included 20 patients and were treated with dermapen and Jessner's solution. Clinical assessment of patients was done according to Goodman and Baron scarring global quantitative grading system before and after the end of treatment. Results: There was a significant clinical improvement of acne scars in group ΙIΙ than in group Ι and group ΙΙ, and boxcar scars showed the best clinical improvement in all studied groups. There was statistically negative correlation between the degree of improvement of acne scars and duration of lesions and age of patients. Conclusions: The combined technique (dermapen and Jessner's solution peeling) showed the best clinical improvement with the least number of sessions followed by the microneedling technique and lastly the jessner's solution peeling for treating atrophic acne scars.
Subject(s)
Acne Vulgaris/complications , Chemexfoliation/methods , Cicatrix/etiology , Cicatrix/therapy , Cosmetic Techniques , Chemexfoliation/adverse effects , Combined Modality Therapy , Drug Combinations , Ethanol , Humans , Lactic Acid , Needles , Quality of Life , Resorcinols , SalicylatesABSTRACT
Liver fibrosis is the consequence of hepatocyte injury that leads to the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The treatment of choice is Liver transplantation; however, it has many problems such as surgery-related complications, immunological rejection and high costs associated with the procedure. Stem cell-based therapy would be a potential alternative, so the aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mononuclear cells (MNC) and mouse bone marrow cells (BMC) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis in mice and compare it with that of silymarin. In the present study, male albino mice (N=60) were divided into six groups (10 mice each), the first group served as the normal control group while the remaining five groups were rendered fibrotic by intraperitoneal injections of CCl4 and being left for 6 weeks to develop hepatic fibrosis. Thereafter, the mice were divided into CCl4 group, CCl4 group receiving MNC or BMC or silymarin or MNC and silymarin combination. After the specified treatment period, animals were then euthanized, blood and tissue samples were collected for measurement of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), malondialdehyde(MDA), reduced glutathione(GSH), collagen, Laminin, transforming growth factor ß1(TGFß1), tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFα). MNC, BMC, and the combination therapy showed a significant decrease in ALT, AST, MDA, collagen, Laminin, TGFß1, and TNFα and a significant increase in GSH. The data displayed a similar regression of fibrosis with the histological and immunohistological parameters. In conclusion, MNC, BMC and the combination therapy showed a potential therapeutic effect against liver fibrosis via reducing oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, and fibrogenic markers.
Subject(s)
Bone Marrow Cells/cytology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology , Liver Cirrhosis/therapy , Umbilical Cord/cytology , Alanine Transaminase/metabolism , Animals , Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism , Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism , Carbon Tetrachloride/pharmacology , Cells, Cultured , Collagen/metabolism , Glutathione/metabolism , Hepatocytes/cytology , Hepatocytes/metabolism , Humans , Laminin/metabolism , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism , Liver Cirrhosis/chemically induced , Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism , Male , Malondialdehyde/metabolism , Mice , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism , Umbilical Cord/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There are numerous methods currently available for the management of xanthelasma. These include surgical excision, laser ablation using a variety of lasers and chemical cauterization. However, each method of treatment is associated with particular limitations and side effects. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical efficacy and tolerability of different concentrations of topical trichloroacetic acid (TCA) vs. carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum. METHODS: Thirty patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum were classified into four groups, treated by TCA 35%, 50%, 70%, and CO2 laser, respectively. Lipid profile was estimated for all patients. RESULTS: Both TCA peeling 70% and carbon dioxide laser ablation showed more significant clinical efficacy and tolerability with least number of sessions in the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum than 50% and 35% TCA peeling. Post-therapy erythema and hypopigmentation were more with TCA 70%. Post-therapy hyperpigmentation was more with TCA (50%). There was a significant improvement in patients with normal lipid profile than those with abnormal profile. CONCLUSION: Both TCA peeling 70% and carbon dioxide laser ablation are highly effective and well tolerated with least number of sessions in the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum.
