BACKGROUND: Superoxide disrnutase(SOD) provides a protective defease mechanism against potential cytotoxicity of superoxide radical in the aerobic organism. Although human skin is constantly at risk for developing acute and chronic changes by ultraviolet radiation and phototoxic reactions with exogenous and endogenously procluced photosensitizing molecules, studies in SOD in the human skin are rare. OBJECTIVE: We measured the level of SOD activities in the scar tissues and the normal human skin specimens. This study was to investigate changes of SOD activity by age, sex, and regional differences of SOD activities in the scar issues and the normal skin. METHODS: Aut,hors assayed the level of SOD activit,ies in 32 scar tissues(male 8, female 24) and 11 normal human skin specimens(male 8, female 3), which were obtaine 3 from face/neck(17 and 3 specimens), forearm(only 4 scar tissues), trunk(10 and 8 specimens), and lower extremity(only 1 scar tissue). RESULTS: First, activities of total SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOL ere 18.93+5.49, 16.97+55.31, and 1.96+0.90 units/mg proteiii respectively in the scar tissues. Second activities of total SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD were 17.27+7.09, 13.82+6.44, and 3.45+1.07 units/mg protein respectively in the normal skin. Third, the changes of total SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD activities by age and sex were similar each other and three were no significant, differneces between age groups in total, Cu, Zn- SOD, and Mn-SOD activities. Fourth, in sun exposed area and unexposed area there were no significant differences in the scar tissues in SOD activities. But, SOD activite.(total, Cu, Zn, and Mn-SOD) in face/neck were higher than those in trunk and lower extremity in tae normal skin(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there are no differences in the intrinsic SOD activities by age and sex in the mature scar tissues and the normal skin. Differences between exposed and unexposed area in the normal skin are due to the induction of exogenous SOD activity by sun-light generation of superoxide radicals. In wound, increased production of leukocyte derived superoxide radicals is the main factor of increased level of SOD activity.
Cicatrix* ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Lower Extremity ; Skin ; Solar System ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides* ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Superoxide dismutases (SOD) are important metallo-enzymes which scavenge and dismutase the superoxide free radical. They are thought to be the main enzymes in the antioxidant defense system. In the several cell ines the induction of Mn-SOD expression by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha which is a known inflammatory cytokine, suggests that Mn-SOD may play a role in the inflammatory process. However, this effect is occurred. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertakento determine whether the induction of SOD expression by TNF-alpha, in the keratinocytes is occurred. METHODS: Primary keratinocyte cultures from neonatal foreskins were grown in complete MCDB 153 medium. Measurement of superoxide radical and SOD activity were performed according to Babior and Fridovich methods, respectively. RESULTS: 1. The release of superoxide radical were measured after 30, 60, 90 minutes exposure to 10ng/ms TNF-alpha, THE RESULTS SHOWS 2.94+/-0.30 NMOL/2x105, 3.55+/-0.52 NMOL/2x105, 4.13+/-0.70 nmol/2x105 respectivelyl The increase of superoxide radical release was detectable in a time dependent manner. 2. Total SOD activity without treatment of TNF-alpha at 24 hours was 18.46+/-2.85, Total SOD activities after treatment of 1, 10, 100 ng/ml TNF-alpha at 24hours were 36.47+/-6.80, 88.01+/-7.79, 94.50+/-8.97 respectively, which suggested that TNF-alpha induced increase of total SOD significantly (p<0.050. TNF-alpha stimulate total SOD induction in a dose and time dependent manner, although the effects were not outstanding. Mn-SOD activity after treatment of 100 ng/ml TNF-alpha at 48 hours was 84.12+/-14.83, which was approxdimately 10.5 fold of that of the untredated case. TNF-alpha also induced the Cu, Zn-SOD activity, but the effect was not so much as in the case of Mn -SOD. CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha induces production of total SODD activities, especially Mn-SOD in the human kerati ocytes, which may be to protect cells from inflammation mediated oxidative damage, namely production of total SOD protein, especially Mn-SOD in response to TNF-alpha induced and scavenged overproduced superoxide radical which in turn may result in protection of the keratinocytes.
Foreskin ; Humans* ; Inflammation ; Keratinocytes* ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

A 6-year-old male patient had been suffering from angular cheilitis and paronychia with fragmentation and dystrophic change of the finger nails. Laboratory findings showed low serum iron level and anemia. Immunologic studies revealed defects in cell mediated immunity. KOH examination and culture of specimens from the lesions showed hyphal elements and growth of Candida albicans respectively. Concomitantly itraconazole and iron sulfate were administered. Four months after treatment he was free of any clinical evidence of the disease.
Anemia ; Candida albicans ; Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous* ; Cheilitis ; Child ; Fingers ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Iron ; Itraconazole ; Male ; Paronychia

In chicks, visual deprivation lead to myopia and enlargement of the vitreous chamber of the eye. In an attempt to elucidate the eyeball enlargement by iatrogenic cataract, two-day old white Leghorn chickens(n=28) were lightly anesthetized with ether and iatrogenic cataract was induced by YAG laser. The other eye was used as control group. Refractive error, corneal curvature, and axial length by ultrasonography were assessed before the study, and 3 weeks and 6 weeks after cataract formation. At 6 weeks, intraocular pressure, dimension changes and weight of enucleated eyeball were measured. The axial lengths in the iatrogenic cataract eye group were significantly larger than their control eyes in both the axial and the equatorial dimensions. Corneal sag and diameter, intraocular pressure, were not significantly different between two groups. We conclude that form vision deprivation with cataract induces the enlargement of the eyeball, especially the posterior segment of the eyeball.
Cataract* ; Chickens* ; Ether ; Intraocular Pressure ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Myopia ; Refractive Errors ; Ultrasonography

A case of a 21-year old female with Maffucci's syndrome is presented where the patient developed multiple cutaneous spindle-cell hemangioendotheliomas. She had multiple pea to walnut sized, non-tender, normal skin colored or slight bluish nodules and bony mass-like lesions on the left upper extremity and hand. A histological examination of the lesions showed that they were composed of irregularly dilated, thin walled cavernous blood spaces containing phleboliths and collapsed vascular spaces separated by spindled fibroblastic cells. Radiologically, the bony lesions showed radiolucent densities with calcified spots within the second proximal phalanx and metacarpal bone of the left hand, which were consistent with enchondromas.
Chondroma ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Hand ; Hemangioendothelioma* ; Humans ; Juglans ; Peas ; Skin Pigmentation ; Upper Extremity

Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis is caused by the external inoculation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the skin of a person who already has a significant degree of cell mediated immunity to this organism. This form of cutaneous tuberculosis is less common. A 29-year-old male had a solitary adult palm sized, verrucous surfaced scaly plaque for about 10 years. The lesion was excised about 10 years ago but gradually increased in size. At first we suspected a deep mycosis and treated him with anti-fungal medication for 3 months. However, the skin lesion did not improve. He was then treated with anti-tuberculosis medication for 9 months under the impression of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis. The skin lesion was almost healed and no recurrence has been observed for 8 months after the treatment.
Adult ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Male ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous

BACKGROUND: Female diffuse hair loss is a common baldness with a multifactorial origin. In recent studies, it has been suggested that reduced or depleted iron stores are a cause of female diffuse hair loss. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study in order to elucidate the pathogenesis of female diffuse hair loss and to evaluate the differences in serurn iron levels between normal females and those with diffuse hair loss in Korea. METHODS: Blood levels of hemoglobin, iron, TIBC, ferritin, testosterone, thyroid function, ANA and Zn were examined in 30 patients with female diffuse hair loss and 20 normal females. RESULTS: 1) Serum Zn, testosterone, T4, TSH of the patient group were not statistically significant compared to those of the control group (p>0.05). 2) TIBC values were significantly increased, but serum ferritin levels were signifieantly decreased in the patient group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in hemoglobin, serum iron in both groups (p>0.05). 3) No significant differences between clinical severity and the values of serum Zn, testosterone, T4, TSH, TIBC, serum femtin, hemoglobin and serum iron were observed (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that the variations of TIBC, serum femtin levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of female diffuse hair loss, but further studies will be needed for evaluation of this condition.
Alopecia ; Female* ; Ferritins ; Hair* ; Humans ; Iron* ; Korea ; Testosterone ; Thyroid Gland

Patients with convergence insufficiency were complaint from diplopia and asthenopia at near Most patients respond well to orthoptic therapy, glasses, prism. In the case of patient unresponsive to conventional non-surgical orthoptic treatment, surgery remained controversial due to recurrence of symptoms reported following conventional bilateral medial rectus resection. To overcome these problems, an angled tuck of the medial recti was performed. Strengthening of the lower margin of the medial recti, by tucking them more than these of the upper margin results in a same aligment of the eye for near and distance deviation and relief of symptoms.
Asthenopia ; Diplopia ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Humans ; Ocular Motility Disorders* ; Orthoptics ; Recurrence

Jensen procedures with medial rectus recession were performed on 13 eyes of 10 patients with lateral rectus palsy caused by trauma. The cases were reviewed retrospectively to assess efficacy of the procedure and long-term stability. After the average 10.2 months of follow-up period, the 7 patients on whom unilateral Jensen procedures and medial rectus muscle recession were performed improved an average of 45.0 delta, and the 3 patients who underwent bilateral Jensen procedures and medial rectus muscle recession improved an average of 82.3 delta. Preoperatively, 12 eyses demonstrated abduction of -4, and 1 eye demonstrated abduction of -1. Postoperatively, abductions of eyes are as follows: 3 eyes -4, 5 eyes -3, 3 eyes -2, and 2 eyes -1. 10 eyes (76.9%) showed improved abduction of lateral rectus muscle, but 3 eyes(23.1%) were not changed. 4 patients(40.0%) acquired a functional area of diplopia free vision, but 6 patients(60.0%) did not, 1 patient developed diplopia postoperatively. No significant cases of vertical deviation were created. One showed anterior segment ischemia, but recovered without complications. Based on these results, the Jensen procedure combined with medial rectus recession is effective in correcting palsies of the lateral rectus muscle that is not recovered.
Abducens Nerve Diseases* ; Diplopia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Paralysis ; Retrospective Studies