BackgroundPrevious studies showed that supplementation of reduced form of glutathione (GSH, 500 mg/d) has a skin-lightening efficacy in humans. This study was designed to evaluate the influences of both GSH and oxidized form (GSSG), at doses lower than 500 mg/d, on improving skin properties.Patients and methodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, three-arm study was conducted. Healthy female subjects were equally randomized into three groups and took GSH (250 mg/d), GSSG (250 mg/d), or placebo orally for 12 weeks. At each visit at baseline and for 12 weeks, skin features including melanin index, wrinkles, and other relevant biophysical properties were measured. Blood samples were collected for safety monitoring.ResultsIn generalized estimating equation analyses, melanin index and ultraviolet spots of all sites including face and arm when given GSH and GSSG tended to be lower than placebo. At some sites evaluated, subjects who received GSH showed a significant reduction in wrinkles compared with those taking placebo. A tendency toward increased skin elasticity was observed in GSH and GSSG compared with placebo. There were no serious adverse effects throughout the study.ConclusionWe showed that oral glutathione, 250 mg/d, in both reduced and oxidized forms effectively influences skin properties. Overall, glutathione in both forms are well tolerated.
The GP ointment demonstrated efficacy similar to that of 0.1% TA cream for mild to moderate chronic plaque psoriasis. In addition, its short-term side effects were minimal.
Background: The emergence of the novel coronavirus caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection resulted in a global pandemic whose clinical features ranged from asymptomatic infection to a severe fulminant respiratory distress and death. The monocyte distribution width (MDW) is a novel inflammatory biomarker that reflects morphological changes in response to inflammation and has been shown to useful in identifying COVID-19 identification and predicting death. There are limited data on the use of MDW for predicting the need for respiratory support. The aim of the study was to determine the performance of MDW in predicting the need for respiratory support in patients with SAR-CoV-2 infection.
Methods: Our retrospective cohort study was conducted at Thammasat University hospital, Thailand. Hospitalized COVID-19 adult patients were enrolled. Respiratory support was any one of oxygen therapy, high flow nasal cannula, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation. The performance of MDW was measured using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AuROC) curve and multivariable logistic regression analysis evaluated the independent effect of MDW on respiratory support.
Results: Of the 250 enrolled patients, 122 (48.8%) patients were received respiratory support. The mean MDW was significantly higher in respiratory support group: 27.2±4.6 vs 23.6±4.1 (p<0.001). An MDW≥25 alone had the best AuROC characteristics: 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI); 0.65-0.76] for a sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio of 71.9%, 68.2%, and 2.26, respectively. Combining age, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation increased the AUROC to 0.84 (95% CI; 0.79-0.88). Increasing age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.03], respiratory rate (aOR 1.11) and MDW≥25 (aOR 3.42) significantly increased the odds of needing respiratory support whilst a higher oxygen saturation significantly reduced it (aOR 0.81).
Conclusion: MDW is a promising biomarker for predicting the need of respiratory support in COVID-19 patients and can easily be implemented in routine clinical practice.
Clinical comparison between topical benzoyl peroxide 2.5% and diclofenac gel 1% versus benzoyl peroxide 2.5% and placebo in the treatment of mild to moderate facial acne vulgarisComparação clínica entre peróxido de benzoília tópico 2,5% e diclofenaco gel 1% versus peróxido de benzoília 2,5% e placebo no tratamento da acne vulgar facial leve à moderada
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