Comparison of serum concentrations of interleukins 10, 12, 17 and 35 between patients with alopecia areata and controls.

INTRODUCTION: Alopecia areata (AA) is one of the most common causes of non-scarring hair loss in adults and children with unknown etiopathogenesis, however immunological factors play an important role. AIM: To evaluate the concentration of interleukin (IL) 10 (IL-10), IL-12, IL-17 and IL-35 in the blood serum of patients with AA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: AA study group consisted of 118 patients. The control group consisted of 54 healthy individuals. The severity of the disease was assessed by SALT score. In the study group, the percentage of hair loss averaged 49.6% ±36.3%. The concentration of IL-10, IL-12, IL-17 and IL-35 in the serum was assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: In patients with AA, the level of IL-12 and IL-17 was significantly higher than in the control group (p > 0.05). The level of IL-10 in patients was slightly higher, whereas the level of IL-35 was slightly lower, compared to the control group, but those differences were not statistically significant. Furthermore, in patients with more severe disease the IL-12 level was significantly higher as compared to patients with the less severe AA (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The etiopathogenesis of AA is complex, however Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes and their increased activity are undoubtedly significant contributors in this process. Disorders of immunological processes in AA require further research in order to understand the underlying pathomechanisms of the disease and to provide potential therapeutic strategies.

Analysis of Sexual Problems in Men With Psoriasis.

Psoriasis may have a negative impact on many aspects of patient life. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of psoriasis on erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems in men with psoriasis. A total of 76 men aged between 20 and 66 years (mean 43.9 ± 13.2 years) were enrolled. Psoriasis severity assessed according to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ranged from 2.0 to 49.8 points (mean 15.1 ± 10.3 points). All patients were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Dermatology Life Quality Index. A detailed medical history regarding sexual problems was also collected. Erectile dysfunction was found in 43.8% of patients. The severity of erectile dysfunction negatively correlated with the age of patients (ρ = -0.42; p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms assessed by BDI (ρ = -0.39, p < 0.01). The majority of patients (77.6%) declared that the skin condition at least occasionally negatively influenced their sexual life. Patients with more severe psoriasis more often avoided sexual intercourse (p < 0.01) and felt ashamed in front of their sexual partners (p = 0.04). The vast majority of men (96.1%) felt unattractive during psoriasis exacerbation and felt embarrassed if skin lesions were present on uncovered body regions. More than half avoided social activities and sexual intercourse due to psoriasis. Moreover, 44.7% experienced rejection during their life because of psoriasis. Psoriasis negatively influences mostly emotional aspects of sexual life. Psychological disturbances, severity of the disease, smoking, metabolic syndrome, and other concomitant diseases might influence the presence and progression of erectile dysfunction in psoriatic patients. Dermatologists should be aware of these problems to put more attention on this aspect of psoriasis.

Expression of Podoplanin in Non-melanoma Skin Cancers and Actinic Keratosis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Recent studies have indicated that expression of podoplanin changes during the neoplastic processes, we therefore aimed at assessing its expression in cancer and stromal cells of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and actinic keratosis (AK). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 134 patients (38 BCC, 57 SCC, 20 AK and from 19 healthy volunteers) were analyzed. Podoplanin-immunoreactivity was detected in 32.1%/44.7%, 70%/20% and 87.7%/79% for BCC, AK and SCC tumour/stroma cells, respectively. Mean podoplanin expression in tumour cells was 1.2±1.8, 1.4±1.1 and 5.6±3.9 for BCC, AK and SCC, respectively. Mean podoplanin expression in stromal cells was 1.5±2.3, 0.65±1.57 and 3.2±2.4 for BCC, AK and SCC, respectively. Podoplanin expression was significantly higher in SCC stromal cells compared to the rest of the analyzed groups (p<0.001), suggesting a potential role of podoplanin in the development and progression of this malignancy.