Objective:To investigate the efficacy of systemic glucocorticoid treatment and its related factors in progressive vitiligo patients with vitiligo disease activity (VIDA) scores ≥ 2 points.Methods:A total of 272 progressive vitiligo patients with VIDA scores ≥ 2 points and skin lesion area < 1% of body surface area, who received no systemic glucocorticoid treatment, were collected from Department of Dermatology, the Third People′s Hospital of Hangzhou from June 2018 to June 2019. The area and type of skin lesions, VIDA scores, predisposing factors and special clinical markers (trichrome vitiligo, confetti-like depigmentation, Koebner phenomenon and inflammatory vitiligo) were analyzed. These patients were randomly divided into 3 groups by a random number table: topical glucocorticoid group (62 cases) , oral prednisone + topical glucocorticoid group (76 cases) and compound betamethasone injection + topical glucocorticoid group (134 cases) , and the latter two groups were also called as the systemic and topical glucocorticoid group. The patients in the topical glucocorticoid group were treated with halometasone cream or 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream once a day; during the oral prednisone treatment, the dose was adjusted once every 7 days, and gradually reduced from 30 mg/d to 20, 15, 10 and 5 mg/d, and the treatment lasted 35 days; during the treatment with compound betamethasone injection, intramuscular injection was performed once every 20 days at a dose of 1 ml for 2 sessions. The stable disease rate (defined as the proportion of patients experiencing no progression during the study among the analyzed patients) was calculated in these groups after 3 months of treatment, and changes in vitiligo types were evaluated after 1 year of follow-up. Statistical analysis was carried out by using Kruskal-Wallis H test, χ2 test and Fisher′s exact test. Results:After 3-month treatment, there was a significant difference in the expansion rate of skin lesion area among the 3 groups ( H = 12.468, P < 0.001) , and the expansion rate of skin lesion area was significantly lower in the oral prednisone + topical glucocorticoid group and compound betamethasone injection + topical glucocorticoid group than in the topical glucocorticoid group ( P < 0.001, = 0.005, respectively, α = 0.016 7) ; among the patients with slowly progressive vitiligo (VIDA scores = 2 or 3 points) , the stable disease rate was significantly higher in the systemic and topical glucocorticoid group than in the topical glucocorticoid group ( χ2 = 23.973, 11.877, respectively, both P < 0.001) ; the stable disease rate also significantly differed among the patients with different VIDA scores (VIDA scores = 2, 3 or 4 points) in the systemic and topical glucocorticoid group ( χ2 = 17.122, P < 0.001) . After 3-month treatment, the patients with predisposing factors or special clinical markers showed significantly decreased stable disease rate (47.3% [35/74], 41.2% [47/114], respectively) compared with those without predisposing factors or special clinical markers (70.6% [96/136], 87.5% [84/96]; χ2 = 11.098, 47.548, respectively, both P < 0.001) . After 1 year of follow-up, the proportion of patients with localized vitiligo converted into non-localized vitiligo was significantly higher in the topical glucocorticoid group (41.9%, 26/62) than in the systemic and topical glucocorticoid group (21.9%, 46/210; χ2 = 10.328, P = 0.006) , and higher in the group with predisposing factors or special clinical markers than in that without predisposing factors or special clinical markers respectively (both P < 0.01) . Conclusions:Early systemic glucocorticoid treatment should be performed in the progressive vitiligo patients with high VIDA scores, predisposing factors and special clinical markers.

OBJECTIVETo explore the Mechanism of nonablative skin rejuvenation.

METHODThe Kunming mice be used as subjects and divided into three groups (A, B, C). A, B, C groups were irradiated with 1 320 nm cooltouch laser (20 J/cm2) in the skin of left back; B and C groups were irradiated two and three times respectively; the skin of right back of A, B, C groups was adopted as control. The expression of bFGF and TGF-beta1 in the mouse skin was examined by the immunohistochemistry . The fibroblasts were isolated from the foreskin and cultured. One group is a control and other three ones are low, intermediate and high energetic groups respectively. The fibroblasts were irradiated by laser with 15 J/cm2 ,20 J/cm2 and 24 J/cm2 energy for three times. We examined the levels of bFGF and TGF-beta1 by ELISA in 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours.

RESULTSAccording to this research on immunohistochemistry result, there are significant differences in the expression of bFGF and TGF-beta1 between the group irradiated by three times and others (P < 0.01). The number of fibroblasts get increased after being irradiated by laser. The ELISA result indicates that the secretion of bFGF increased in the group of intermediate and high energetic level after laser irradiating and may reach the peak at 24 hours (P < 0.01). The amount of TGF-beta1 secretion, however, seems to get decreased in each group at all energetic levels, and at 24 hours it can reach the top level as well.

CONCLUSIONThe direct influence of laser on the fibroblasts is to promote secretion of bFGF and to inhibit secretion of TGF-beta1, while its influence on the tissue is to promote the secretions of the both. Nonablative skin rejuvenation not only can induce fibroblasts to secrete more bFGF but also induce the blood vessels to release cytokines which stimulate endothelial cell to express more of bFGF and TGF-beta1. Furthermore, fibroblastic proliferation can accelerate by laser's irradiating.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cosmetic Techniques ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; radiation effects ; secretion ; Laser Therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Rejuvenation ; Skin ; cytology ; radiation effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

The pathogenesis of vitiligo is complicated, and the loss of melanocytes plays a central role. Besides deficiency in melanocytes, it is considered that dysfunction of epidermal and dermal cell populations as well as their interaction with melanocytes also play important roles in the occurrence of vitiligo, Thus, it is necessary for understanding and treatment of vitiligo to fully and accurately understand pathophysiological states of full-thickness vitiliginous skin cells and tissues at different stages. This review aims to summarize research progress in the role of melanocytes and related cell populations in the occurrence of vitiligo.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Transplantation ; Child ; Epidermis ; cytology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Suspensions ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Vitiligo ; therapy

AIMTo investigate the effect of Naoyikang serum on the damage induced by glutamate in hippocampal neuron.

METHODSMorphological observation, MTT assay and nuclear DNA-associated fluorescence with DAPI dye were applied to evaluate the viability of hippocampal neuron, immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR were used to determine the expression of PTEN.

RESULTSA decreased viability and increased expression of PTEN were shown in hippocampal neuron in response to the treatment with glutamate. It was shown that the percentage of cell death and the expression of PTEN were reduced by the treatment with Naoyikang serum.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that Naoyikang may prevent the toxicity of glutamate by suppressing the expression of PTEN.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glutamic Acid ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum

Adult ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; virology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; diagnosis ; virology ; Cytological Techniques ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; virology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of acupoint injection of oxymatrine (OM) on experimental hepatocellular carcinoma and the mechanism.

METHODSThe rats of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by 2-acetoaminoflurence (2-AAF) were randomly divided into a normal control group (group N), a model group (group M), a control group of oxymatrine intraperitoneal injection (OM ip group) and a treatment group of small dose oxymatrine injection into Zusanli (OM ZSL group). At the end of 12h week, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) were determined. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.

RESULTSThe number of cancer nodes on the surface of liver in th Om ip group and the Om ZSL group was lower than in the group M, with the serum ALT, AST, and gamma-GT levels significantly decreased (P<0. 01), and significantly inhibited expressions of cyclin D1, CDK4 mRNA (P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONOM ip and small dose oxymatrine injection into ZSL can treat or delay hepatocarcinogenisis of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by 2-AAF. Partial mechanism of this anti-carcinoma is protecting hepatocytes possibly through improving hepatic functions, and inhibiting excessive proliferation of liver cancer cells via inhibiting the expressions of cyclin Dl, CDK4 mRNA.

Acupuncture Points ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Cyclin D1 ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; genetics ; Injections ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Male ; Quinolizines ; administration & dosage ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and mechanism of meloxicam on the inflammatory reaction induced by beta amyloid protein (AB) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats.

METHODSThe rat model was established by microinjection of Abeta(1-40) into hippocampus. The expression of NF-kappaB p65 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry. The content of GFAP in cortex was tested by Western-blot. The content of TNF-alpha in cortex was tested by ELISA. The expression of IL-1beta mRNA was tested by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe expression of NF-kappaB p65, GFAP and TNF-alpha as well as IL-1beta mRNA were decreased by meloxicam.

CONCLUSIONMeloxicam can reduce the proliferation of astrocyte by decreasing the expression of GFAP in AD model rat's hippocampus and cortex. And the depression of NF-kappaB p65 may significantly decrease the expression of TNF-alpha1 and IL-1beta to lessen the inflammatory reaction in cerebral tissue.

Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; prevention & control ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thiazines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Thiazoles ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate weather there is a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-dependent pathway in hippocampal neurons of rats and the probable role of the pathway in neuroinflammation.

METHODSTo establish the proper model, primarily cultured hippocampal neurons were treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), or pretreated with TLR4 antibody then co-treated with LPS. The expression of mRNA of MyD88 and TNF-alpha receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) were tested by RT-qPCR. The content of MyD88 and TRAF6 were tested by Western blot. The nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB/P65 (NF-kappaB/p65) was tested by immunofluorescence. The content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and nitric oxide (NO) were tested by ELISA.

RESULTSLPS could increase MyD88 and TRAF6 mRNA, upregulate protein level of MyD88 and TRAF6 and increase the level of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and NO in cell culture supernatant. LPS also could promote NF-kappa B/p65 translation to the nucleus. The pretreatment with TLR4 antibody reduced the translocation to nucleus for NF-kappaB/P65 and the contents of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and NO in the culture supernatant.

CONCLUSIONThere is a TLR4-mediated MyD88-dependent pathway in hippocampal neurons. The activation of this pathway can increase the level of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and NO in cell culture supernatant. TLR4-mediated MyD88-dependent pathway in hippocampal neurons participate in neuroinflammation, that means neurons are not passive in inflammation.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; metabolism ; Neuritis ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the mechanisms of Naoyikang (Traditional Chinese Medicine) on the Alzheimer's Disease (AD) model mice induced by D-galactose (D-gal) and NaNO2.

METHODSThe mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-gal and NaNO2. The capacity of learning and memory was tested on mice with electrical maze; the content of nitric oxide (NO) and the activity of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), Na(+) -K(+) -ATP enzyme and Ca(2+) -ATP enzyme in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were assayed by biochemical methods; expression of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA was detested by RT-PCR.

RESULTSNaoyikang could ameliorate the capacity of learning and memory of AD model mice and reduce MAO-B activity in the brain tissue and activate the activity of Na(+) -K(+) -ATP enzyme and Ca(2+) -ATP enzyme in the brain tissue and decrease the expression of Bax mRNA, but increase the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in the model brain tissue.

CONCLUSIONNaoyikang could protect AD model mice induced by D-gal and NaNO2. It could modify the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitter in brain through reducing MAO-B activity and protect neurons by activating the activity of Na(+) -K(+) -ATP enzyme and Ca(2+) -ATP enzyme and decrease Bax expression and increase Bcl-2 expression in the model brain tissue.

Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Galactose ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Sodium Nitrite ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism