OBJECTIVE: To explore the inhibitory effects of Nardostachys Jatamansi DC. volatile oil (NJVO) on psychological factors substance P (SP)/cortisol (CORT)-induced hyperpigmentation. METHODS: The model of psychologically-induced hyperpigmentation of B16F10 cells was created using SP (10 nmol/L) + CORT (10 µmol/L) for 72 h. The levels of melanin content, tyrosinase (TYR) activity using NaOH lysis and L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) oxidation methods were assessed, respectively. The effect of NJVO on SP/CORT-induced normal human skin tissue pigmentation was detected by Masson staining. Protein expressions of tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase-relative protein 2 (DCT), and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor were determined using Western blot. The melanosome number, maturation, and melanosomal structure changes were detected through transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence experiments. In vivo, zebrafish pigment content was evaluated in SP/CORT-induced zebrafish hyperpigmentation model. RESULTS: NJVO significantly reduced the melanin content (P<0.01) and inhibited tyrosinase activity (P<0.01), the pigmentation of the normal skin tissue in the NJVO group was significantly lower than that in the SP/CORT group (P<0.05). And NJVO considerably downregulated expressions of melanogenesis-related proteins (TYR, TRP-1, DCT) in cells (P<0.01). In addition, the number of melanosomes was decreased and the dentrites formation of B16F10 cells was inhibited after NJVO treatment (P<0.01). In vivo, NJVO significantly reduced the pigment content in the zebrafish body (P<0.01). CONCLUSION NJVO effectively reversed SP/CORT-induced hyperpigmentation by suppressing the activity and expression of TYR and TRPs and inhibiting melanosome maturation in mouse B16F10 melanoma cells.
Animals ; Hyperpigmentation/psychology* ; Zebrafish ; Oils, Volatile/therapeutic use* ; Melanins/metabolism* ; Humans ; Monophenol Monooxygenase/metabolism* ; Mice ; Nardostachys/chemistry* ; Substance P ; Hydrocortisone ; Skin Pigmentation/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Melanosomes/ultrastructure* ; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Melanoma, Experimental ; Oxidoreductases/metabolism* ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases/metabolism*

A 59-year-old male presented with multiple hyperpigmented skin with hyperkeratotic scaly patches on hands, feet and face. Bismuth containing compound had been prescribed two months before then due to epigastric pain, an adverse effect of steroid pulse therapy for acute rejection of transplanted kidney. Laboratory findings showed acute kidney injury and elevated liver enzyme. He stopped taking bismuth containing compound and all symptoms were gone after two months. Although there is no report on interaction between bismuth and immunosuppressant, it requires precaution to prescribe bismuth containing compounds in transplanted patients with acute kidney injury.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Bismuth ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Liver ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rejection (Psychology) ; Skin ; Transplants

A review of recent reports showed that many surgeons define large-volume liposuction as the removal of over 5000ml of total aspirate. However, no clinical reports of single procedures in Korean involving aspirate volume of 5000 ml or greater have been presented. From May 2002 to December 2004, 59 patients with age averaging 31.2 years old underwent large-volume liposuction. Liposuction was performed using the superwet technique and a Lipomatic(R) vibropneumatic system. Clinical data, which included; body weight changes and BMIs at a postoperative 2 months, hemoglobin and hematocrit at a postoperative 2 days, operative time, and volume of infiltrate and aspirate, were evaluated. The average volumes of infiltrate and aspirate were 6916.7+/-1665.8ml and 6549.6+/-1787.2ml, respectively. Mean patient weight had decreased from 62.96+/-14.21 to 58.61+/-13.43kg with an average weight loss of 4.35kg, and mean body mass index from 23.84+/-3.91 to 22.17+/-3.70kg/m2 with an average drop of 1.67kg/m2; equivalent to a fall in weight per liter of aspirated volume of 0.66+/-0.09kg/L. Falls in hemoglobin and hematocrit per liter of aspirate volume were 0.46+/-0.07g/dl/L and 1.70+/-0.35%/L, respectively. Mean operative time per liter of aspirate was 39.6+/-2.1min/L. Complications were palpable skin irregularity in 5 patients; hyperpigmentation scars occurred in 5 patients; 2 of the heaviest women required blood transfusions; and 1 patient experienced prolonged edema. One major complication of subclinical fat embolism occurred. Cosmetic results were generally good. In conclusion, if patients are properly selected and fluid resuscitations are performed adequately, single stage liposuction involving aspirations of greater than 5000ml can be undertaken safely in Korean.
Aspirations (Psychology) ; Blood Transfusion ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight Changes ; Cicatrix ; Edema ; Embolism, Fat ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Lipectomy* ; Operative Time ; Resuscitation ; Skin ; Weight Loss