OBJECTIVE To explore the inhibitory effect and its mechanism of asiaticoside on hypertrophic scar formation in rabbit ears based on the Wnt/ β -catenin pathway. METHODS The hypertrophic scar model in rabbit ears was established. Model rabbits were divided into the model group （normal saline）， asiaticoside low-dose group （12 mg/kg）， asiaticoside high-dose group （24 mg/kg）， and positive control group （tri amcinolone acetonide acetate 40 mg/kg）； additionally， a non-modeled control group （normal saline） was set up. There were 8 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in each group were injected with the corresponding drug solution/normal saline at the base within the scar area once daily for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the appearance of hypertrophic scars in rabbit ears was observed， and the hypertrophic scar index was measured； the levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 （IL-6） and IL-10 ] in hypertrophic scar tissue of rabbits were determined； histopathological morphology of hypertrophic scar tissues in rabbit ears was observed， and the protein expression levels of collagen type Ⅰ （COLⅠ）， COLⅢ， Wnt4 and β -catenin in the hypertrophic scar tissues were detected. RESULTS Compared with control group， in the model group， the symptoms of hypertrophic scars were observed， the stratum corneum was thicker， and there was abnormal accumulation and disorganized arrangement of collagen. The hypertrophic scar index， IL-6 level， fibroblast density， area density of collagen fibers， mean optical density values of COLⅠ and COLⅢ， as well as the expression levels of Wnt4 and β -catenin proteins， were all significantly elevated （ P ＜0.05）， while the level of IL-10 was significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the hypertrophic scars in asiaticoside low- and high-dose groups were significantly softened， with a thinned stratum corneum， and the above quantitative indicators were all significantly reversed （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Asiaticoside can inhibit the formation of hypertrophic scars in rabbit ears and alleviate the inflammatory response in scar tissue. Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of activation of the Wnt/ β -catenin pathway.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Q-switch 1064 nm wavelength laser combining with microneedle technology for the treatment of melasma.Methods 70 melasma patients were selected in the Out-patient Department of Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command from July 2012 to Sept.2013.The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups:the combining therapy group (patients in this group received Q-switch 1064 nm wavelength laser combining with microneedles technology,the treatment interval was 2 or 3 weeks,and the whole course was 2-6 months);the microneedle group and the Q-switch 1064 nm wavelength laser group.The effect and the adverse reaction were observed and recorded during the treatment,and the reduced area of the pigment patch was also measured to judge the total efficacy after the course.Results The total effective rate was 78.6％ (22/28) in the combining therapy group and 40.0％ (8/20) in the microneedle group,45.5％ (10/22) in the Q-switch 1064 nm wavelength laser group.There were statistically significant differences between the combining therapy group and the other groups (P1 ＜0.05,P2 ＜0.05),without obvious adverse reaction.Conclusions It is significantly better to use American Medlite C6 Q-switch 1064 nm wavelength laser combining with microneedles technology than that of the single use of Q-switch 1064 nm wavelength laser or microneedles in the treatment for the patients with melasma.The method is also simple to handle and suitable for clinical application.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of fractionated ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser combined with microneedle for depressed acne scars.Methods Totally 86 patients with depressed acne scar were randomly divided into 2 groups:the treatment group received fractionated ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser combined with microneedle technology and the control group only received fractionated ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser.The treatment interval was 1 to 3 months,and the whole course was 2-8 times.The total effective rate and the adverse reaction were analyzed in the facial acne scar.Results The surface of depressed acne scars was significantly improved.ECCA score of all patients declined obviously after treatment,the score of the treatment group declined from 61± 11 to 45± 15,and the control group declined from 57± 14 to 40± 16.There were significantly statistical differences in the results of each group (P＜0.05).More treatment times resulted in better surface improvement.The total effective rate were 81.8％ (18/22) and 100％ (24/24) in the treatment group,and 80.0％ (16/20) and 100％ (20/22) in the control group.The course was 6.8± 1.6 months in the treatment group and 20.8±4.6 months in the control group (P＜0.05) to get a similar satisfied result.There were no obvious adverse reactions except two cases of erythema and pigmentation in the treatment group and 5 cases in the control group.The former was with less adverse reactions.Conclusions Ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser combined with microneedle technique is effective for facial acne scars,with less complications and shorten treatment course.