Sebo-suppression by Combined Anti-androgen and Oestrogen in Female Acne Compared with Tetracycline.

Cyclic administration of a combination of cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol in 30 female acne patients led to a significant decrease of the cutaneous sebum excretion rate (SER) as assessed by the modified gravimetric technique. The mean percent reduction was 36.42 + 3. 07 at the end of 6 months, and, it remained reduced even after a treatment free period of 3 month. In comparison, tetracycline treated patients showed a slight rise in the SER that returned to near baseline values 3 months after cessation of the drug.

Effect of Hemodialysis on Circulating Hormones in Psoriasis.

In eight patients having extensive psoriasis, treated with hemodialysis, serum levels of LH, FSH, testosterone, T3, T4, ISH prolactin, insulin and cortisol were estimated before and after clinical imprmement. No differences were observd in hormone levels before and after diabmis. Serum prolaction lewis which were high to begin with remained so even after dialysis although the value had decreased slightly.

Elevated Levels of Plasma Cortisol in Pityriasis Versicolor.

Plasma cortisol levels were estimated in 49 patients having pityriasis versicolor and compared with the values obtained in 50 healthy controls and 23 Patients (matched for age) with dermatological problems other than Pityriasis versicolor. Only healthy patients systemic disease and history of drug intake, were taken for this study. Mean plasma cortisol levels in the patients with pityriasis versicolor, (38.43 + 25.27 ug.dl) were significantly elevated as compared with normal Controls (18,8 + 3.16ug/dl) and dermatological patients without pityriasis versicolor (16.11 + 5.64 ug/dl).

Clinico-pathological study of testicular involvement in leprosy.

Twenty five patients of lepromatous leprosy were studied clinically and histopathologically for testicular involvement. Testicular pain or swelling was the commonest complaint (68%) followed by sterility (28%) and impotence (4%). Reduced testicular size associated with soft feel was observed in 76% patients. Gynaecomastia was present in 36% and altered sexual hair pattern in 24%. Eleven out of sixteen (69%) patients had oligo/azoospermia. Out of the twenty testicular biopsies 15 (75%) had definite histological evidence of leprous pathology, irrespective of testicular size, semen picture and clinical signs and symptoms. One out of three epididymal biopsies showed minimal changes. Histopathological changes varied markedly, it was not possible to categorize these into vascular, interstitial and obliterative phases.

Clinico-pathological study of testicular involvement in leprosy

Twenty five patients of lepromatous leprosy were studied clinically and histopathologically for testicular involvement. Testicular pain or swelling was the commonest complaint (68%) followed by sterility (28%) and impotence (4%). Reduced testicular size associated with soft feel was observed in 76% patients. Gynaecomastia was present in 36% and altered sexual hair pattern in 24%. Eleven out of sixteen (69%) patients had oligo/azoospermia. Out of the twenty testicular biopsies 15 (75%) had definite histological evidence of leprous pathology, irrespective of testicular size, semen picture and clinical signs and symptoms. One out of three epididymal biopsies showed minimal changes. Histopathological changes varied markedly, it was not possible to categorize these into vascular, interstitial and obliterative phases.

LH, FSH responses to GnRH in lepromatous leprosy

Significant rise in serum LH and FSH and a fall in serum testosterone have been reported in lepromatous leprosy (Dash, Samuel, Kaur, Datta and Rastogi 1978). This is consistent with extensive damage to the tubular and interstitial cells of the testes (Grabstald and Swan 1952; Desican and Job 1972; Bernard and Veraquez 1973; Samuel, Kumar, Kaur, Kannan, Dash, Rastogi and Datta 1978).

Evaluation of male gonadal function in leprosy

Impotency, sterility, loss of libido, loss of sexual hair and gynecomastia are well documented in patients suffering from leprosy. They occur with greater frequency in lepromatous leprosy as compared to dimorphous and tuberculois types.