Relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels with the severity of melasma.

Aim To determine the relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and the severity of melasma. Methods This cross-sectional analytic study included consecutive patients from the Dermatology and Venereology Polyclinic at Prof. dr. Chairuddin Panusunan Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara (Prof. dr. CPL USU) Hospital Medan from May to December 2022. Serum BDNF levels and the severity of melasma were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results Of the total of 30 patients enrolled in the study, the majority were in the age group of 36-45 (average of 44) years and work as housewives. The highest risk factor was sun exposure. The melasma pattern was dominated by centrofacial patterns, majority of melasma types were epidermal, and the most severe degree was moderate. A moderate negative correlation between BDNF levels and the duration of melasma was found (p=0.007; r= -0.485). There was no significant relationship between BDNF levels and the severity of melasma (p=0.387). Conclusion No significant relationship between BDNF levels and the severity of melasma indicates that the causes of melasma are multifactorial, such as sun exposure, genetic, hormonal, and other factors (drugs, neural and psychological, and lipid metabolism).

Relationship of Substance P with the Degree of Atopic Dermatitis Severity.

INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that starts during childhood with a varied course. Itching or incessant itching in severe cases, sleep disturbance, and infection-prone skin are the typical symptoms of this disease. Substance P is postulated to have an important role in AD. Increasing levels of substance P in AD induce the release of IFN-γ, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-10 from peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes, inducing an itching response. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study that aims to analyze the relationship between serum substance P levels and AD severity in children using Score of AD (SCORAD), and to determine the mean serum substance P levels and severity of AD in patients with AD. This study also aims to find out the correlation of substance P levels with the SCORAD values. RESULTS: Forty-six children (29 males; 17 females) with a mean age of 10.35 years (standard deviation (SD) = 4.01) were diagnosed with AD. The SCORAD index assessment was conducted to analyze AD (mean value, 23.15; SD = 9.42), and mild AD obtained the highest degree. The level of substance P was also examined (mean value, 300.88; SD = 127.55). DISCUSSION: This study did not find a significant relationship between substance P levels and AD severity (p-value = 0.880), and there was no significant correlation between substance P levels and SCORAD values (p-value = 0.233; r = -0.179). The limitations of this study include a small number of cases, no control group, and we only found two cases of severe AD. To generalize the results, further studies with wide range population and AD severity might be done in the future.

IgM Anti PGL-1 Antibody Level in Patients with Leprosy: A Comparative Study between Ear Lobes Capillary and Median Cubital Vein Blood Samples.

BACKGROUND: To establish the diagnosis of leprosy accurately, additional examination such as serologic examination with ELISA is required. There are considerations about taking a blood sample from the earlobe region. AIM: To determine the differences in IgM anti-PGL-1 antibody levels from earlobe capillary and median cubital vein blood sample in leprosy patients. METHODS: An observational analytic study using a cross-sectional study involving 30 patients with leprosy. ELISA examination of earlobe blood samples with filter paper, and the median cubital vein blood samples with filter paper and conventional methods were performed to determine IgM anti-PGL-1 antibody levels. RESULTS: The mean value of IgM anti PGL-1 antibody levels from earlobe blood samples with filter paper (1476.62 µ/ml) was relatively similar with median cubital vein blood samples with conventional method (1476.77 µ/ml), but the mean value of IgM anti PGL-1 antibody levels from median cubital vein blood samples with filter paper (1210.37 µ/ml) was lower from other methods. However, there was no statistically significant difference between them. CONCLUSION: There are no significant differences between the mean levels of IgM anti-PGL-1 antibody from earlobe and the median cubital vein blood samples.