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BackgroundHistamine in food is known to cause food poisoning and allergic reactions. We usually ingest histamine in cooked food, but there are few studies about the influence of cooking method on the histamine level.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the influence of cooking methods on the concentration of histamine in foods.MethodsThe foods chosen were those kinds consumed frequently and cooked by grilling, boiling, and frying. The histamine level of the food was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsGrilled seafood had higher histamine levels than raw or boiled seafood. For meat, grilling increased the histamine level, whereas boiling decreased it. For eggs, there was not much difference in histamine level according to cooking method. Fried vegetables had higher histamine levels than raw vegetables. And fermented foods didn't show much difference in histamine level after being boiled.ConclusionThe histamine level in food has changed according to the cooking method used to prepare it. Frying and grilling increased histamine level in foods, whereas boiling had little influence or even decreased it. The boiling method might be helpful to control the effect of histamine in histamine-sensitive or susceptible patients, compared with frying and grilling.

Postburn pruritus is a common distressing sequela of burn wounds. Empirical antipruritic treatment often fails to have a satisfactory outcome, as the mechanism of it has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the manifestation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and other related receptors in postburn pruritus. Sixty-five burn patients with (n = 40) or without (n = 25) pruritus were investigated, including skin biopsies. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts from skin biopsy samples were separated. Real time-PCR showed that mRNA of TRPV3 was significantly increased in keratinocytes from pruritic burn scars than in keratinocytes from nonpruritic burn scars. With TRPV3 activation, intracellular Ca concentrations were more significantly increased in keratinocytes from pruritic burn scars than in those from nonpruritic ones. Additionally, mRNA and protein levels of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) were also significantly increased in pruritic burn scars. In conclusion, it was confirmed that TRPV3, PAR2, and NK1R were highly expressed in pruritic burn scars. These results may help determine a novel mechanism for postburn pruritus.

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is related to a deficiency of delta-6-desaturase, an enzyme responsible for converting linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Evening primrose oil (EPO) as a source of GLA has been of interest in the management of AD.ObjectiveThe aim of this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EPO in Korean patients with AD.MethodsFifty mild AD patients with an Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) score of 10 or less were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. The first group received an oval unmarked capsule containing 450 mg of EPO (40 mg of GLA) per capsule, while placebo capsules identical in appearance and containing 450 mg of soybean oil were given to the other group. Treatment continued for a period of four months. EASI scores, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin hydration were evaluated in all the AD patients at the baseline, and in months 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the study.ResultsAt the end of month 4, the patients of the EPO group showed a significant improvement in the EASI score (p=0.040), whereas the patients of the placebo group did not. There was a significant difference in the EASI score between the EPO and placebo groups (p=0.010). Although not statistically significant, the TEWL and skin hydration also slightly improved in the EPO patients group.ConclusionWe suggest that EPO is a safe and effective medicine for Korean patients with mild AD.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of patients with post burn pruritus. The authors took skin samples from 62 burn patients with or without pruritus. The measured skin condition includes thickness and paresthesia. Various clinical features were rated on patient assessment scale (PSAS) and observer scar assessment scale. The samples were stained with hematoxylin & eosin, Masson's trichrome, Verhoeff's elastic, and toluidine blue stain. The stained samples were analyzed in terms of epidermal thickness, mononuclear cell infiltration, collagen bundles, elastic fibers, and mast cell distribution. A total of 62 patients were divided into group A (43 patients with pruritus) and group B (19 patients without). The mean (±SD) intensity of itch in group A patients was 4.58 (±3.24). Group A patients had thickened epidermises and higher scores on the PSAS and observer scar assessment scale, especially on the PSAS score. Sensations, including stinging and electric shock sensations, were more frequent in group A than in group B. Histological analysis revealed that group A patients had thinner collagen bundles and more increased mast cell counts, while others did not. Patients suffering from post burn pruritus had distinctive clinical and histopathological features, such as prominent mast cell deposition and thin collagen bundles, compared with group B patients. These results may help better understand post burn pruritus.

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Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agents used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases, including allergic disease. They are frequently considered the therapy-of-choice for many skin diseases. However, allergic reactions caused by corticosteroids have been reported. Among these, delayed reactions to topical steroids are more common, whereas immediate reactions to systemic steroids are rare. Herein, we report the case of a 32-year-old woman with triamcinolone-induced immediate hypersensitivity reaction, in which the patient had a positive prick test result with triamcinolone. She has had atopic dermatitis (AD) for three years. She had used systemic steroid, cyclosporine, and antihistamine with topical steroids for AD. In clinic, approximately 10 minutes after intralesional injection of triamcinolone, she complained of erythematous patches with slight elevation and itching on the face, trunk, and both hands. After intravenous injection of dexamethasone, her symptoms got worse. After treatment with epinephrine, all symptoms resolved within two hours. We performed an open test and skin prick test. She had a positive result only from the prick test with triamcinolone; all other steroids showed negative results from the open tests. Dermatologists should be aware of the possibility of anaphylaxis or other allergic hypersensitivity in response to corticosteroids.

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