Reflectometric technique for analyzing urine strips represents a simple, fast and inexpensive method, with no risk and discomfort for the patient. In the present paper, the authors conducted a retrospective study on the possible association between lichen planus (LP) and a number of pathological conditions that produce changes of urine metabolites. A retrospective study was made on 77 patients with LP (49 cases of cutaneous LP - CLP, 28 cases of oral LP - OLP) who were diagnosed and treated in the dermatology department of Victor Babes Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases. The quantification of certain urine metabolites in the spontaneous urine through reflectometric technique may reveal liver diseases (urobilinogen, bilirubin), kidney diseases (erythrocytes, proteins, albumin, creatinine, albumin/creatinine ratio, urine specific gravity, pH), metabolic disorders (glucose, ketones, pH, ascorbic acid) and urinary diseases (leucocyturia, nitrites, proteins, erythrocytes). The evaluation of the patients included clinical examination and laboratory and imaging tests. Among the investigated patients with LP we found: 16 cases of hepatic dysfunction (20.8%), 7 cases of renal dysfunction (9.1%), 11 cases of metabolic disorders (14.3%) and 14 cases of urinary tract infections (18.2%). No differences were found between patients with cutaneous and oral LP. The linear regression analysis revealed: positive association between concentrations of urobilinogen and bilirubin (r = 0.174, p = 0.044), negative association between albumin and creatinine (r = -0.316, p = 0.007), positive association between glucose and ketones (r = 0.266, p = 0.098) and positive association between leucocyturia and urine nitrite levels (r = 0.202, p = 0.050). Based on clinical and laboratory data, 85.7% of results obtained from urine biochemistry were confirmed. This analysis did not find any difference between patients with cutaneous and oral LP. By determining a full panel of urine metabolites through reflectometric analysis we were able to identify the main pathological changes in patients with LP.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a group of oligopeptides found in most multicellular organisms with a capacity for rapid and nonspecific destruction of pathogens. The action of destroying pathogens is associated with a strong proinflammatory activity, stimulating the secretion of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors but also chemotaxis, the activation of dendritic cells and involving adaptive immunity also. The action of AMPs fits perfectly into the characteristics of innate immunity which makes these peptides candidates to be considered as an important element of this type of immunity. It has been shown that AMPs are involved in a number of cellular processes such as: differentiation, proliferation, maturation, thus widening the degree of involvement of these peptides in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. In psoriasis, AMPs act both as a pro-inflammatory and chemotaxis factor and through the cathelicidin (LL-37)/dc DNA complex as a possible autoantigen for T cells, triggering an autoimmune response, activating the Th17/IL23 axis and maintaining the inflammatory process. Thus, many arguments are accumulated to consider that innate immunity through AMPs is an important link in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Moreover, the action of antimicrobial peptides in psoriasis is almost entirely characteristic for the general mode of action of innate immunity. Contents 1. AMPs 2. AMPs in innate immunity 3. AMPs in psoriasis 4. Conclusions
Psoriasis, one of the most prevalent inflammatory diseases in dermatologic pathology, remains a challenge in regards to the therapeutic approach. Topical therapy for psoriasis is a current trending subject as it implies good compliance for the patient, few adverse systemic reactions and a targeted effect. Numerous substances are now being tested, from natural to synthetic compounds and already known substances in improved formulas such as vesicular systems. The aim of this article was to conduct a literature review regarding the topical therapy of psoriasis in animal models, between June, 27, 2019 and July 9, 2020. For this article, the authors conducted extensive research in PubMed with the following keywords: Psoriasis AND (topical OR local) and (therapy OR treatment) AND (mice OR rats). The main new studied substances included lycopene, sodium butyrate, salvianolic acid B, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in ionic liquids, albendazole, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, biomimetic reconstituted highdensity lipoprotein nanocarrier gel containing microRNA (miRNA)-210 antisense, thymoquinone in ethosomal vesicle, Sea buckthorn oil (Hippophae rhamnoides), nitidine chloride, Melissa officinalis spp. Altissima extract and [1-(4-chloro-3nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-methanol (CIM). New formulas of already known anti-psoriasis substances such as: Cyclosporine, methotrexate, calcipotriol, tazarotene, protein kinase p38 and integrin α5β1 as a target, are also reviewed. Recent research in topical psoriasis underlines the importance of animal experimental research in dermatology, providing a starting point for developing new therapeutic approaches in one of the most frequently diagnosed chronic dermatologic diseases. Vesicular systems are now providing the best vehicle for topical therapy, thus easing the action of the active substances at their target sites. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Research methods 3. Summary and discussion of the new topical treatment strategies 4. Discussion 5. Conclusions
The relation between sun exposure, vitamin D synthesis and skin cancer is a complex one. Radiations from the sun stimulate the cutaneous vitamin D synthesis, one way, and promote the development of the skin cancer on the other way. A lot of epidemiologic and experimental studies revealed contradictory results regarding the relation between vitamin D and malignant melanoma. The vitamin D deficiency, accurate biochemical indicator of the vitamin D status in the body, could be implicated in promoting metastasis of the malignant melanoma by activation of the cellular proliferation, stimulation of the neutrophils chemotaxis and promoting angiogenesis. Identification of therapeutic strategies to normalise serum levels of the 25-OH vitamin D3 could represent useful tools in preventing melanoma metastasis.
Based on the latest medical research, it is supposed that lichen planus is an inflammatory disorder, associated with autoimmune diseases, hepatitis C infection, oxidative stress or antioxidant deficiency. The purpose of the present work is to determine a panel of serum antioxidants, possibly involved in the development/persistence of the disease. The determination of extracellular antioxidants (bilirubin, uric acid, albumin, iron, transferrin, ferritin, copper, ceruloplasmin, total antioxidant capacity) in patients with lichen planus during exacerbations have revealed a significant reduction in non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. Hepatitis C virus enhances the deficit of antioxidants in patients with lichen planus. Based on these findings, the authors consider that lichen planus is a complex disease of unidentified cause and its pathogenic mechanisms are still incompletely elucidated. It may be speculated that several interconnected mechanisms are involved in the onset and evolution of lichen planus.
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