The basis of topical superoxide dismutase antipruritic activity.

In humans, as in all mammals and most chordates, three forms of superoxide dismutase (SOD) are present: SOD1 is located in the cytoplasm, SOD2 in the mitochondria, and SOD3 is extracellular. SOD is used in cosmetic products to reduce free radical damage to the skin, for example, to reduce fibrosis following radiation for breast cancer. Pruritus is one of the most common symptoms of skin diseases, but can also be a major symptom of systemic diseases (e.g., malignancy, infection or metabolic disorders). There are various antihistaminics used as antipruritogenic substances. In the genesis of pruritus there are many pruritogens involved, not only histamine and leukotrienes such as acetylcholine, cytokines, kallikreins, proteases, kinins, opioids, etc., which are described. On many occasions, we observed that topical SOD seemed to possess strong antipruritic activity, even in anti-histamine-resistant pruritus. We analyzed literature data on the effect of SOD as an anti-pruritogen on NK-1 receptors and proinflammatory cytokines, its regulatory role in calcitonin gene-related peptide production and expression, down-regulation of TNF- and numerous cytokines, and suppression of nitric oxide production.

Retrospective study of specific immunotherapy - what should be done in the future.

In this retrospective study, data on 241 atopic patients treated with specific cutaneous immunotherapy during the 1985-2006 period at Allergy Clinic, University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, were reviewed. The following diagnoses were recorded: atopic dermatitis, pure or in combination with allergic rhinitis or allergic bronchitis, or allergic bronchitis and asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria, and Quincke's edema. The aim was to retrospectively analyze clinical efficacy and laboratory findings in atopic patients undergoing specific immunotherapy. Before specific immunotherapy administration, eosinophil count, immunoglobulins, skin prick test, total IgE (RIST) and specific IgE (IgE UniCAP) were determined. The following allergens were included in specific immunotherapy: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, house dust mite (mixed or separately), mixed and single pollens (grass, tree, weed), feather, and animal dander. The most frequent allergens in 241 atopic patients were grass pollen mixture, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, ragweed, tree pollen mixture, cocksfoot, birch, animal dander, and feather. Treatment efficacy was demonstrated after 3 years of continuous therapy by clinical evaluation and with the same diagnostic procedure. After several months of therapy, initial clinical improvement was noticed in atopic dermatitis patients as well as in patients with respiratory diseases that were sensitive to airborne allergens. According to literature, specific immunotherapy was used as a treatment option, which may affect the natural course of allergic diseases. It reduces development of asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis and prevents the onset of new sensitizations.

Normalization in the appearance of severly damaged psoriatic nails using soft x-rays. A case report.

The prevalence of nail psoriasis varies considerably among different studies, ranging from 10% to 55%. In psoriatic arthritis, its prevalence is as high as 85%. In spite of the high prevalence of the disease, considerable functional, psychical and cosmetic discomforts for the affected patients, and recent advances in the management of skin psoriasis, an efficacious and longlasting treatment for psoriatic nails remains elusive. A 51-year-old male patient with skin psoriasis and severe psoriatic lesions of all his finger nails and toe nails is presented. Some nail plates were up to 30 times thicker than normal. The patient received radiotherapy with soft x-rays in a total dose of 13.5 Gy administered in nine fractionated doses of 1.5 Gy (43 kV, 25 mA, 0.6 mm aluminum filter) at one-week and two-week intervals. Upon therapy completion, the appearance of nail plates gradually improved to normalize completely at 12 months of therapy. Almost three years of therapy completion, the patient is free from both disease relapse and radiotherapy sequels. Considering the high therapeutic efficacy and longlasting remission achieved, this type of radiotherapy should be used in the treatment of severe psoriatic nail lesions with massive nail plate thickening, to alleviate psychical and functional difficulties associated with the disease.