Role of asprosin and meteorin-like peptide in progression of actinic keratosis to squamous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) often develops from an underlying premalignant lesion. Factors that affect the progression of actinic keratosis (AK) to invasive SCC are not fully known. Asprosin (ASP) and meteorin-like peptide (METRNL) are adipokines that are involved primarily in glucose metabolism. We investigated the expression of ASP and METRNL in AK and SCC to evaluate the role of these adipokines in the development of SCC. We used 15 SCC specimens, 12 AK specimens and 12 healthy control skin specimens. ASP and METRNL protein expression in tumor and surrounding tissue was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. ASP expression in tumor tissue was significantly greater in the SCC group than in the control and AK groups, but it did not differ significantly between the AK and control groups. A positive correlation was observed for both ASP and METRNL expressions between tumor tissue and adjacent epidermis, hair follicles, sebaceous gland, eccrine gland, inflammatory cells and vascular structures. ASP and METRNL may exert pro-tumor effects toward development of invasive SCC. The expression intensity of ASP and METRNL can be used as a biomarker of risk of progression to SCC.

Sodium pentaborate pentahydrate promotes hair growth through the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway and growth factors.

BACKGROUND: Boron (B) is an element involved in many physiological processes in humans and accelerates wound healing and increases angiogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (NaB) on hair growth and reveal its effects on Wnt-1, ß-catenin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) signaling pathways, which are important molecular mechanisms involved in hair growth. METHODS: Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley/Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups: non-shaved control, shaved control, NaB 1 mg (shaved + NaB 1 mg elemental B/kg CA), NaB 2 mg (shaved + NaB 2 mg elemental B/kg CA), and NaB 4 mg (shaved + NaB 4 mg elemental B/kg CA). Hair density was measured using the trichoscopy method. Dorsal skin samples were examined histopathologically at the end of the 42nd day, and follicle count, follicle diameter, and subcutaneous tissue thickness were recorded. Wnt-1, ß-catenin, PDGF, VEGF, TGF-ß1, and collagen I levels were analyzed with the Western blot method. RESULTS: In trichoscopy measurements, hair density increased in the NaB 4 mg group (90.9%). In histopathological examination, anagen follicles were observed to increase in the NaB 1 mg and 2 mg groups (p < 0.05). Follicle diameter increased in all NaB groups (p < 0.05). The Wnt-1, ß-catenin, PDGF, VEGF, TGF-ß1, and collagen I level increased in the NaB 1 mg and 2 mg groups (p < 0.05), but they were similar in the NaB 4 mg group compared to the control groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: NaB 1 and 2 mg B/kg supplementation induces the anagen phase in rats via Wnt-1, ß-catenin, VEGF, PDGF, and TGF-ß1 signaling pathways. NaB 4 mg B/kg suppresses these pathways and adversely affects hair growth.

Demodex mites in acne rosacea: reflectance confocal microscopic study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Demodex mite density is emphasised in the aetiopathogenesis of acne rosacea. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been shown to be a good method for determining demodex mite density. The objective was to determine demodex mite density using RCM in acne rosacea patients and compare them with controls. METHODS: In all, 30 papulopustular rosacea (PPR) and 30 erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) totally 60 acne rosacea patients and 40 controls, were enrolled in the study. The right cheek was selected for imaging and RCM was used for scanning. Ten images of 1000 × 1000 µm (total 10 mm2 ) area were scanned from adjacent areas. The numbers of follicles, infested follicles and mites were counted. The mean numbers of mites per follicle and infested follicles were calculated and compared in the patients and control groups. RESULTS: The mean number of mites was 44.30 ± 23.22 in PPR, 14.57 ± 15.86 in ETR and 3.55 ± 6.48 in the control group (P < 0.001). The mean number of mites per follicle was 1.77 ± 0.90 in PPR, 0.57 ± 0.63 in ETR and 0.13 ± 0.23 in the control group (P < 0.001). The cut-off for the mean number of mites for determining mite infestation was 0.17 and above. CONCLUSIONS: Demodex mite density was markedly increased in both ETR and PPR patients. It is believed that the presence of demodex mites plays an important role in rosacea aetiopathogenesis. Demodex mite treatment may reduce the severity of the disease and slow its progressive nature.