At present, vitiligo is the most common depigmenting skin disorder, characterized by clearly demarcated discolored patches of various shapes and sizes. Depigmentation results from the initial dysfunction and subsequent destruction of melanin-producing cells, called melanocytes, which are located in the basal layer of the epidermis and in hair follicles. This review concludes that the extent of repigmentation, regardless of the treatment method, is greatest in stable localized vitiligo patients. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the clinical evidence for which the vitiligo treatment method (cellular or tissue) is more effective. The treatment relies on multiple factors, ranging from patient skin predisposition for repigmentation to the experience of the facility performing the procedure. Vitiligo is a significant problem in modern society. Although it is a typically asymptomatic and not life-threatening disease, it may have significant psychological and emotional impacts. Standard treatment relies on pharmacotherapy and phototherapy; however, the treatment of patients with stable vitiligo varies. The stability of vitiligo more than often implies the exhaustion of the potential for skin self-repigmentation. Thus, the surgical methods that distribute normal melanocytes into the skin are crucial elements of these patients’ therapy. The most commonly used methods are described in the literature, with an indication of their recent progress and changes. In addition, information on the efficiency of the individual methods at specific locations is compiled in this study, and the prognostic factors indicating repigmentation are presented. Cellular methods are the best therapeutic option for large-sized lesions; although they are more exorbitant than tissue methods, they benefit from more rapid healing times and presenting fewer side effects. Dermoscopy is a valuable tool used to assess the further course of repigmentation, where it is of great value to evaluate the patient prior to and following an operation.
In an aging society, more emphasis should be placed on prevention rather than treating diseases. Alzheimer's disease is a common sickness affecting older people. It is predicted that the number of cases will have increased up to 131.5 million by 2050. Therefore, the efforts of the scientific community should be focused on finding therapeutics that could stop or delay dementia. Statins are commonly used drugs with interesting pleiotropic effects. Due to its effects such as lowering cholesterol or inhibiting of inflammatory reaction, they give the prospect of being used in dementia therapy. To this day, numerous studies have been done to verify the influence of statins on pathological elements such as beta-amyloid, Tau protein, or inflammatory factors. Unfortunately, a large discrepancy in the results excludes the use of these drugs in therapy today. The aim of our work is to validate these relations and determine the mechanisms of action of statins on the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, we want to point out new directions of research, which may not only explain the pathomechanism of dementia but also find means to stop this process.
Zinc is a key micronutrient of the skin, where it is responsible, among others, for regulating the processes of melanocyte proliferation, maturation, and differentiation. Recent research has revealed a possible link between zinc levels and the pathogenesis and severity of vitiligo. Zinc deficiency disrupts the activity of immune system cells, which can lead to autoimmunity, melanocyte destruction, and formation of depigmented patches. Numerous studies have found a statistically significant reduction in zinc levels in sera of patients with vitiligo compared to the healthy population. However, the mechanism by which reduced zinc levels might influence the development and severity of depigmented lesions remains unclear. There is no evidence to suggest any benefits of zinc supplementation in vitiligo patients, there are currently no clear guidelines on whether and how zinc supplements should be used in this population. Further research is needed to determine the potential advantage of combining zinc supplementation with commonly used vitiligo treatments.
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