Objective To investigate the effects of gallotannic acid, the alcohol extract of Galla chinensis, the alcohol extract of Flos carthami and the water extract of Aloe vera on normal human keratinocytes, melanocytes and fibroblasts in vitro, and get a better understanding of the mechanism of action and the possible adverse effects of Galla chinensis in treating keloid. Methods MTT colorimetric assay was used to detect the effects of gallotannin, colchicine and the later two extracts on the growth activity of the different cells. Results ①The inhibitory action of gallotannin to fibroblasts proliferation was similar to that of the alcoholic extract of Galla chinensis, and the inhibitory action of gallotannin at ≥ 20 ?g/mL to the proliferation of melanocytes was obvious (the proliferation rate was 73.6% - 68% of untreated cells), while gallotannin at ≤ 50 ?g/mL slightly enhanced the growth activity of keratinocytes (the proliferation rate was 111% - 112% of untreated cells). ②Both the alcoholic extract of Flos carthami and the water extract of Aloe vera enhanced the proliferation of keratinocytes in a dose-dependent mode. The water extract of Aloe vera also enhanced the proliferation of fibroblasts. Conclusions The gallotannin may be the main pharmacologically active component of Galla Chinensis for treating keloid, and its inhibitory activity to human melanocytes may implicate its potential adverse effects on the skin.

Objective To investigate the changes of hair growth with the increase of age and to develop a new practical method to evaluate the extent of aging. Methods After the approval of the ethnic committee, 96 healthy volunteers (44 males, 52 females, aged 30 ~ 78 years) were recruited into the study and divided into 4 groups based on the age: 30-group, 40-group, 50-group and 60-group. Macrophotographs were taken from the vertex. Hair density and percentages of black hairs were counted using Photoshop7.0 software. Ten hairs were randomly plucked from the specified scalp area,and the diameters of hair shaft and hair bulb were examined by a micrometer. The percentages of the follicles, based on their morphology, at different phases of the hair cycle, were counted. Results With the increase of age, the hair density, diameters of hair shaft as well as hair bulb, the percentages of anagen follicles and grey hairs all decreased, while the percentages of telogen follicles and white hairs increased, and significant difference was found between the 60-group and other 3 groups. In each group, the difference between males and females was found only in some parameters. The diameter of hair bulb positively correlated with that of hair shaft. Conclusion This study suggests that the parameters of hair growth could be used to help rating the extent of aging.

0.05).③ HDF feeder layer could improve the efficient growth of primary keratinocyte culture plated at very low seeding densities (0.1? 104 cells/cm2). Conclusions Different allogenic keratinocytes can grow in HDF feeder layers from various passages of the same HDF line. HDF feeder layer is able to improve the seeding efficacy of human keratinocytes, which may be the reason te culture plated at very low seeding

Objective To determine the in vitro effects of the traditional Chinese medicines, berberine, matrine and baicalin, on the proliferation and lipid synthesis of human immortalized sebocyte SZ95, and to investigate their possible mechanisms of action on sebaceous glands at the cellular level. Methods Inverted microscopy was used to observe cell morphology and determine toxic concentrations of the compounds. The MTT method was adopted to examine the effects of different concentrations of berberine, matrine and baicalin on SZ95 cell proliferation after 24 h, 48 h and 72 h of incubation. Lipid contents in the SZ95 cells were labeled with Nile red and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The toxic concentrations were 1?10-3 mol/L, 1?10-4 mol/L, 1?10-3 mol/L for baicalin, berberine and matrine, respectively. Berberine reduced sebocyte proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) of 2.9?10-5 mol/L and 1.4?10-5 mol/L after 48 h and 72 h of incubation, respectively. When the concentration of matrine was 0.05). Lipogenesis of SZ95 cells showed a 26.9% increase with 1?10-3 mol/L matrine. Conclusions Our results indicate that berberine and baicalin can inhibit proliferation and lipid synthesis of SZ95 sebocytes in vitro, which suggests a possible clinical role in treating acne.

Objective To estimate the effect of the enviromental pollutant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-pdioxin (TCDD),a representative of the dioxin family,on the expression of cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) in cultured human immortalized SZ95 sebocytes in vitro,so as to improve understanding of the pathogenesis of chloracne.Methods SZ95 sebocytes were cultured with or without the presence of 10 nmol/L TCDD for two hours or three days.Real time fluorescence-based PCR was performed to quantify the mRNA expression of CYP1A1,immunohistochemistry and Western blot to determine the expression level of CYP1A1 protein,in the SZ95 cells.Chi-square test was done to compare the protein and mRNA expressions of CYP1A1 between untreated and treated SZ95 cells.Results Real time PCR showed that the mRNA expression of CYP1A1 was low in SZ95 sebocytes,and increased by 5.622 times after 2-hour treatment with TCDD(P ＜ 0.05).Immunohistochemistry revealed a weak expression of CYP1A1 protein in the cytoplasm and nuclei of untreated SZ95 sebocytes,which was also significantly enhanced by the TCDD treatment.Western blot results showed that the relative expression level of CYP1A1 protein was 4.233 ± 0.252 in SZ95 sebocytes treated by TCDD for three days,significantly higher than that in untreated sebocytes(0.123 ± 0.208,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions There is a low expression of CYP1A1 mRNA and protein in SZ95 sebocytes,which can be upregulated by TCDD,suggesting that the CYP1A1 gene is a downstream target of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor responsible for the abnormal differentiation of human sebocytes.

Objective To investigate the in vitro effects of various antibiotics (spectinomycin, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, ofloxacin and doxycycline) against 12 isolates of C. trachomatis. Methods Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs ) and fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) of the antimicrobials against all C. trachomatis were calculated. Checkerboard method was used for the determination of FICs and Ridit test for the comparison of the interactions among the various combinations. Results No difference was observed in most of the combinations. No antagonism was found in all except for ceftriaxone-doxycycline combination. Synergism was observed in 42% (5 of 12) and 50% (6 of 12) of the chlamydial isolates for erythromycin-spectinomycin and doxycycline-spectinomycin combination, respectively. No significant difference was observed among triple combinations with spectinomycin or with ceftriaxone. When interactions of erythromycin, ofloxacin and doxycycline with spectinomycin were compared to those with ceftriaxone respectively, both interactions of erythromycin (U = 2.46, P = 0.014) and doxycycline (U = 2.83, P = 0.002) were more synergistic with spectinomycin than those with ceftriaxone. Conclusions This study indicates that the combination of spectinomycin with erythromycin or doxycycline is more effective against C. trachomatis than that of ceftriaxone. Therefore, spectinomycin rather than ceftriaxone might be recommended in the dual therapy against C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae.

Objective To study the effects on berberine hydrochloride on the mitochondria membrane potential and free intracellular calcium of HaCaT cells, and elucidate the mechanism of action of berberine on keratinocytes. Methods Rhodamine-123 fluorescence (very sensitive to mitochondria membrane potential) and Fluo-3/AM fluorescence (suitabe to detect free intracellular calcium in single HaCaT cell) were measured by laser scanning confocal technique. Results Fluo-3/AM fluorescence intensity of HaCaT cells was persistently increased after treating with berberine at concentrations of 5 ? 10-5M, 2.5 ? 10-5M and 1.25 ? 10-5M, and significant differences were observed as compared with the PBS control. The intensity of rhodamine-123 fluorescence in HaCaT cells was decreased immediately when exposed to berberine, with significant difference from that of the PBS control. Conclusions It is suggested that berberine could increase free intracellular calcium and decrease mitochondria membrane potential of HaCaT cells, induce overload of intracellular calcium, influence energy metabolism, and then inhibit the proliferation of keratinocytes.

G (E165E) in exon 1 of KRT6A gene, were found in this patient. Conclusions A novel single nucleotide polymorphism of KRT16 gene which can result in the change of amino acid sequence is firstly reported and some known single nucleotide polymorphisms in KRT16 and KRT6A genes are also found in this study.

Objective To investigate the impact of severity of psoriasis on quality of life in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.Methods A questionnaire interview was carried out to the outpatients with psoriasis vulgaris(n=504)from Dec.2000to Sept.2001.All the patients were more than18years old.The content of questionnaire included daily life and activities,work and school performance,social activities and personal relationships,and psychologic status.Disease severity was assessed with psoriasis area and severity index(PASI).498patients were included for the final analysis.Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software package.Results63.3%patients were restricted in their food selection.40.2%had bad sleep,59.0%could not dress short clothes in the summer.26.5%were restricted in use of public traffic and services.15.1%were rejected in haircut and cosmetic service.31.2%had decreased income along with severity of the disease.58.8%felt uncomfortable in social activities and public places.25.8%avoided handshaking with others.43.3%were reluctant in social intercourse.29.0%were not willing to take part in social activities,especially for moderate and severe cases.54.9%felt that their self-esteem was injured.26.6%thought that other peoples always avoided to meet them.64.4%felt anxiety for their disease.83.1%often worried about relapse or exacerbation of psoriasis.15.9%showed a tendency to commit suicide.Conclusions The more severe the disease is the more impact it may have on the daily life,work and school performance,social activities and personal relationship,and psychologic status in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.It is reccommended that besides the conventional treatment bio-psychic and social medical management be given to the patients especially for moderate and severe cases.