Short histological kaleidoscope - recent findings in histology. Part III.

The paper provides an overview of the current understanding of different cells' biology (e.g., keratinocytes, Paneth cells, myoepithelial cells, myofibroblasts, chondroclasts, monocytes, atrial cardiomyocytes), including their origin, structure, function, and role in disease pathogenesis, and of the latest findings in the medical literature concerning the brown adipose tissue and the juxtaoral organ of Chievitz.

Hair loss and regeneration performed on animal models.

Research in the field of reversal hair loss remains a challenging subject. As Minoxidil 2% or 5% and Finasteride are so far the only FDA approved topical treatments for inducing hair regrowth, research is necessary in order to improve therapeutical approach in alopecia. In vitro studies have focused on cultures of a cell type - dermal papilla or organ culture of isolated cell follicles. In vivo research on this topic was performed on mice, rats, hamsters, rabbits, sheep and monkeys, taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of each animal model and the depilation options. Further studies are required not only to compare the efficiency of different therapies but more importantly to establish their long term safety.

The prognostic significance of p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and cyclin E protein overexpression in colon cancer - an immunohistochemical study using the tissue microarray technique.

In colon cancer, biological markers continue to have a limited prognostic value, the results being controversial. Studies of cell-cycle regulatory proteins and anti-apoptotic proteins aim to identify groups of patients that develop more aggressive tumors and might benefit from an individualized therapy management. The present study evaluates the prognostic role of the p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and cyclin E immunoexpression in colon cancer, using the tissue microarray (TMA) method. Tissue samples were obtained from 31 patients operated for colon cancer, embedded in TMA paraffin blocks and immunohistochemically stained for p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and cyclin E. We evaluated the relationship between the overexpression of these proteins and the clinico-pathological parameters, as well as the effect of these molecular markers on the survival rate. 65.22% of the patients were p53 positive, 39.13% Bcl-2 positive, 78.26% Bax positive and 34.78% cyclin E positive. Bcl-2(+) patients had significantly better differentiated tumors (p=0.043). Significantly poorly differentiated tumors were: Bax(+) patients (p=0.031), Bcl-2(-)÷p53(-) patients (p=0.042), Bcl-2(-)÷Bax(+) patients (p=0.029), and Bcl-2(-)÷p53(-)÷Bax(+) patients (p=0.016). The individual expression of the studied proteins did not influence the survival rate. A significantly lower survival rate was found in the following groups of patients: Bcl-2(-)÷p53(-) (40% vs. 83.3%, p=0.027), p53(-)÷Bax(+) (40% vs. 83.3%, p=0.027), Bcl-2(-)÷p53(-)÷Bax(+) (25% vs. 84.2%, p=0.003). The current study identified groups of patients with a significantly lower survival rate, which consequently are at an increased risk to develop tumors with a more aggressive biological behavior.

Topical Products for Human Hair Regeneration: A Comparative Study on an Animal Model.

BACKGROUND: Hair loss and hair growth is the subject of tremendous amount of research. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the efficacy of three chemical treatments used in humans for hair loss, using a rat model of hair regrowth. The products tested were 2% minoxidil, Hairgrow (Dar-Al-Dawa Pharma), Aminexil, Dercos (Vichy Laboratoires), and Kerium, Anti-chute (La Roche-Posay). METHODS: Thirty-two adult female Wistar-Bratislava rats were assigned to 4 groups. Two rectangular areas (2×4 cm) were shaved on either sides of the mid dorsal line (left side - control; right side - test area). Group I was treated topically with 2% minoxidil, group II with Aminexil, and group III with Kerium. Each rat received 0.3 ml of substance applied topically to the shaved dorsal skin every day for 28 days. Rats in group IV served as sham controls receiving no treatment. Hair regrowth was evaluated by trichoscopy (with a dermatoscope), grown hair weight (from a surface area of 1 cm(2)), and histopathological examination for skin thickness, follicle count, and percentage of anagen induction (morphometric assessment). RESULTS: Treatment with 2% minoxidil significantly induced hair regrowth as assessed by trichoscopy, hair weight examination, and morphometric evaluation. Hair weight examination and morphometric assessment demonstrated the lowest hair growth effect with Aminexil among the tested products. Treatment with Kerium was found to significantly induce hair regrowth (p<0.05 as compared to the control group). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that hair regrowth efficacy of products recommended for human use is not similar when tested on an animal model.

Antiandrogenic Therapy with Ciproterone Acetate in Female Patients Who Suffer from Both Androgenetic Alopecia and Acne Vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic Alopecia in Women (AGA) occurs due to an underlying susceptibility of hair follicles to androgenic miniaturization, caused by androgens. Clinically, AGA is characterized by progressive hair loss, with a marked hair thinning in the fronto-parietal area so that the scalp can be easily seen. Acne vulgaris is androgen-dependent and often affects the skin that has an increased number of oil glands: face, back and chest. Although the sebaceous glands are present on the scalp too, it is very rare to get acne at this site, as the hair acts as a wig and allows the sebum to drain and does not block the pores. Both AGA and Acne Vulgaris are signs of hyperandrogenism. Cyproterone acetate/ethinyl estradiol (2mg/0.035mg) products are authorized for the treatment of androgenetic symptoms in women, such as acne, seborrhea, mild forms of hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia. Our study had a double purpose: - To evaluate the result of the study regimen Melleva 35 (one pill per day, for 3 consecutive months) in patients with moderate to severe acne, suffering also from Androgenetic Alopecia;- To establish the efficacy of the drug on acne and alopecia improvement, both from the doctor's and patient's point of view. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After being informed of the aims and procedures of the study, participants provided a written informed consent. A number of 35 female subjects with moderate to severe acne vulgaris remained in the study. The subjects had also been diagnosed as suffering from AGA, on the basis of clinical criteria, including the pattern of hair loss and trichoscopy assessment. RESULTS: 83% of study subjects reported that their hair did not continue to fall after 3 months of antiandrogen therapy. The females were evaluated using trichoscopy and the doctor noticed hair regrowth in 77% of the cases. Regarding the improvement of acne lesions after the treatment, 40% of study subjects recorded good improvement and 26% recorded excellent results with Melleva 35. The acceptance of the treatment was very high, 86% patients were compliant with the study therapy. The rate of adverse events (5 cases) was within the limits of the treatment tested by the study. Almost a third of the total number of subjects (28.5%) reached a good satisfaction level after the treatment, while 37.1% claimed moderate satisfaction. CONCLUSION: There was no correlation between the age of the subjects and the treatment for acne therefore our first hypothesis was rejected. As a conclusion, antiandrogenic therapy with Melleva 35, 1 pill per day, for 3 consecutive months, shows good results for patients who suffer from both Androgenetic Alopecia and Acne Vulgaris.