1.
[Comparison of the mechanisms of intralesional steroid, interferon or verapamil injection in the treatment of proliferative scars].
Xu, SJ, Teng, JY, Xie, J, Shen, MQ, Chen, DM
Zhonghua zheng xing wai ke za zhi = Zhonghua zhengxing waike zazhi = Chinese journal of plastic surgery. 2009;(1):37-40
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of intralesional steroid, interferon alpha-2b or verapamil injection on proliferation, apoptosis and TGF-beta1 expression in keloid and hypertrophic scar in vivo. METHODS 6 patients with keloids and 6 patients with hypertrophic scar were treated with intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/ml) or IFN alpha-2b (15 x 10(5) U/ml) or verapamil (2.5 mg/ml). Samples were collected on the 7th day after intralesional injection. Samples of untreated keloid and hypertrophic scar and normal skin were used as control. Expression of PCNA and TGF-beta1 was detected in situ by immunohistochemical staining, and apoptosis was detected in situ by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS 1) Triamcinolone acetonide could prohibit proliferative scars through inhibiting cell proliferation and TGF-beta1 expression, as well as inducing apoptosis. 2) IFN alpha-2b could prohibit proliferative scars through inhibiting cell proliferation and TGF-beta1 expression, but not inducing apoptosis; 3) Verapamil could also prohibit proliferative scars through inhibiting proliferation and TGF-beta1 expression in fibroblasts, as well as inducing apoptosis. While the effect of inducing apoptosis was stronger than that of triamcinolone acetonide, the effect of inhibiting TGF-beta1 expression was weaker than those of triamcinolone acetonide and IFN alpha-2b. CONCLUSIONS Although intraleional injection of steroid, interferon alpha-2b or verapamil were all effective in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scar, their mechanisms are not similar.
2.
[Influence of treating atopic dermatitis with oral antihistamine and topical steroids on selected parameters of cell and humoral immunity].
Guzik, TJ, Adamek-Guzik, T, Bzowska, M, Miedzobrodzki, J, Czerniawska-Mysik, G, Pryjma, J
Folia medica Cracoviensia. 2002;(1-2):79-93
Abstract
UNLABELLED Pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial, therefore despite many different treatment protocols none of the available methods is effective enough. In the present study we analysed the effects of oral antihistamines and topical steroids on selected parameters of humoral (immunoglobulin levels) and cellular (lymphocyte proliferation index, granulocyte oxidative burst, lymphocyte phenotype CD4:CD8) immunity. These parameters were analysed in 34 AD subjects during the exacerbation of the disease and after 4 and 12 weeks of the treatment. RESULTS Along with the clinical status improvement (change form 3.17 +/- 0.1 to 1.3 +/- 0.2; 0-4 scale; p < 0.001), total serum IgE levels decreased significantly from 1563 +/- 459 to 1266 +/- +/- 364 IU/ml (p < 0.05). Other immunoglobulin levels did not change. Total blood chemiluminescence in response to latex stimulation was relatively higher during exacerbation than during remission, but this difference was not significant (p = 0.1). Mean spontaneous or PMA stimulated chemiluminescence did not differ either. CD4:CD8 index decreased significantly during the treatment (from 2.7 +/- 0.3 to 1.8 +/- 0.2; p = 0.03). Lymphocyte proliferation in response to PHA was significantly lower during exacerbation than during remission (10.4 +/- 2.8 vs. 27.1 +/- +/- 5.2; p < 0.03) and the improvement was observed after first 4 weeks of the treatment reaching the levels found in healthy controls. Proliferation index in response to anti-CD3 mAb (OKT-3) was in turn significantly higher during exacerbation (19.1 +/- 3.4 vs. 11.2 +/- 2.0; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Oral antihistamine in combination with topical steroids leads to several significant changes in the immune parameters (IgE levels, CD4:CD8 and proliferation indexes) which may explain its high effectiveness in majority of patients with AD.