Seasonal facial erythema in a patient with allergic rhinitis treated using a combination of tranilast and roxithromycin.

OBJECTIVE: A competitive effect with suppression of Th2 immune responses of the tranilast and roxithromycin combination is examined in an allergic rhinitis patient. PATIENT AND METHODS: A 42-year-old female patient with allergic rhinitis caused by cedar pollen, which is one of the most common allergies during the spring, exhibited facial erythema with itching, particularly on both cheeks, and rhinitis symptoms, such as nasal discharge, and 200 mg/day of tranilast (original) and 300 mg/day of roxithromycin were administered. RESULTS: After 2 weeks, the patient's skin lesions were mostly eliminated, with the skin appearing almost normal; itching was nearly absent; and rhinitis symptoms disappeared. CONCLUSION: This combination may be a promising new therapeutic strategy for allergic rhinitis.

Geographic tongue: What is this disease?

Geographic tongue or benign migratory glossitis, is a unique and peculiar tongue condition, producing a map-like appearance with filiform papillae atrophy, on different parts of the tongue. The lesions change in shape with time. The exact etiology remains unknown, although it has been suggested relating the lingual microbiota of a patient. The association between geographic tongue and psoriasis has long been pointed out, and histological similarities existed between both as well. Increasingly, recent findings suggest the involvement of certain oral bacteria. Here, we discuss these findings with an overview of the recent literature.

Pigmented purpuric dermatosis persistent over 20 years treated with an ozone nanobubble water oral rinse: A case study.

Pigmented purpuric dermatosis is a rare, unique purpuric skin disorder, most commonly located on the lower extremities and characterized by petechiae with tiny red rashes and brown pigmented patches. The precise etiology and a reliable treatment have not been established. This case report presents a 72-year-old female with repeating purpuric, tiny rashes and persistent extensive brown pigmented patches with pigmented purpuric dermatosis on both lower extremities for the past 20 years. Ozone nanobubble (ONB) water is a new sterilizing agent containing dissolved nanosized ozone gas bubbles in water. The patient performed an oral rinse every night with ONB water and was successfully treated. However, vitamin C administration and Ruby laser treatment were needed to reduce residual pigmentation. This case suggests that oral bacteria may be a causative factor of pigmented purpuric dermatosis.

Th1 regulatory events by infectious pathogens, herpes zoster and herpes simplex viruses: prospects for therapeutic options for atopic eczema.

Infections caused by viral and bacterial pathogens are typically perceived as harmful, such as in cases of herpes zoster and herpes simplex virus infections. However, clinical observation of an improvement in atopic skin lesions upon herpes virus infection has been noted, particularly at the site of varicella and Kaposi's varicelliform eruption. Th1 immune cells and cytokines, mobilized and induced for protection against infectious pathogens, are expected to improve Th2 dominant atopic symptoms. This study focuses on Th1 immunoregulatory events mediated by infectious pathogens, particularly herpes viruses. Immunoregulatory events induced by herpes viruses may have a potential therapeutic value for treating atopic eczema.

Palmoplantar pustulosis treated with oral rinse using ozone nanobubble water: A case series.

Neither the etiology nor a reliable treatment for palmoplantar pustulosis has been clearly established. Ozone nanobubble (ONB) water, which is treated with nanosized ozone gas particles and has strong antimicrobial activity, has attracted attention as a future therapeutic option for palmoplantar pustulosis. Oral rinsing, particularly in the periodontal areas, with 10 to 20 mL ONB water for a couple of minutes per night, was prescribed to seven palmoplantar pustulosis patients, comprising five female and two male patients, for 6 months. Skin lesions were observed to be completely cured within a treatment period of approximately 3 to 4 months in six patients; the exception case was the one suspected of having pyorrhea. Rinsing the periodontal area with ONB water resulted in very effective suppression of skin lesions and showed promise as a new treatment method for palmoplantar pustulosis, which suggested the involvement of oral bacteria.

Importance of Mast Cell Activation Control for Preventing Scar Formation in Severe Acne.

Post-acne scarring in severe acne is a major aesthetic problem that can impair a patient's quality of life. It has been pointed out that blocking mast cell function with tranilast can prevent or minimize scarring and can be a satisfactory therapeutic strategy. Mast cells are prominent in acne lesions, and their involvement in scar formation has also been specified. Here, we discuss the importance of mast cell control in suppressing post-acne scar formation.

Immunohistochemical expression of MRP2 and clinical resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer.

Determining an effective predictor of clinical drug resistance in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is considered to be important. In this study, the relationship between the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) and MRP2, which are the members of ATP-binding cassette superfamily transporter, and of the p53 tumor suppressor gene and the response to chemotherapy were analysed. The expression of P-gp, MRP1, MRP2, and p53 was determined by an immunohistochemical analysis of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) specimens from 61 SCLC patients. The relationship of such expression was also investigated regarding chemotherapy and clinicopathological factors. The response rate in the MRP2-negative group was significantly higher than that in the MRP2-positive group (88% versus 50%). The P-gp-negative group responded significantly better to chemotherapy than the P-gp-positive group, with a response rate of 81% versus 39%. No relationship could be found between the response to chemotherapy and immunostaining for MRP1 or p53. In 37 patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, the response rate of patients in the MRP2-negative group was significantly higher than that in the positive group (92% versus 50%). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, MRP2 as well as P-gp were shown to be statistically significant predictors of chemotherapy resistance. These results suggest that immunostaining of MRP2 for TBB specimens may help to predict clinical resistance to platinum agents. This is the first report which indicates that the immunohistochemical expression of MRP2 is positively related to a clinical resistance to platinum.

Lipoteichoic acid-related molecule derived from the streptococcal preparation, OK-432, which suppresses atopic dermatitis-like lesions in NC/Nga mice.

Bacterial stimulation may serve to control atopic disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD) through inducement of Th1 cell-mediated immune response. The lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-related molecule (okLTA) from streptococcal preparation, OK-432, has been shown to be a potent Th1 inducer through the action of IL-12. Examination was made of the therapeutic effects of this okLTA injected intra- and/or subcutaneously into AD-like lesions in NC/Nga mice, particularly in the vicinity of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) regulatory pathways. Using immunohistochemical staining with IL-4/IL-12p40 and phosphorylated STAT6/p-STAT4 and RT-PCR for IL-4/IL-12p40, STAT6/STAT4 and mRNA expression and in situ hybridization of SOCS3 and 5, evaluation was made of the immunoregulatory effects of this okLTA in the treatment of spontaneous AD-like lesions in NC/Nga mice. Following the injection of okLTA, remarkable improvement in the lesions of NC/Nga mice was noted. In okLTA-treated skin, IL-12p40/p-STAT4 positive cellular infiltration was extensive while IL-4/p-STAT6 positive cell infiltration was seen to diminish considerably, compared to untreated NC mice. SOCS3 in situ expression in okLTA-treated mice was noted to be significantly less compared to untreated NC mice, in which the expression was prominent. SOCS5 in situ expression was rather, though not significantly, strong in okLTA-treated mice. okLTA treatment is clearly shown to induce Th1 cellular response and down-regulate immune response in the Th2 pathway through SOCS3 reduction in AD-like lesions of NC/Nga mice. The present results demonstrate that bacterial wall components such as okLTA should serve as an effective new therapeutic approach for treating AD.