The Efficacy and Psychoneuroimmunology Mechanism of Camouflage Combined With Psychotherapy in Vitiligo Treatment.

Background and Objectives: The efficacy of camouflage combined with psychotherapy and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood in vitiligo management. This study aimed to investigate the joint efficacy and further explore psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune-skin interactions. Patients and Methods: In a prospective, non-randomized and concurrent controlled trial, patients were divided into two groups. Quality of life (QOL) was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Vitiligo Life Quality Index (VLQI-C). Serum levels of neuropeptides and cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: A total of 149 patients were included for final evaluation. After treatment for 4 weeks, total and subcategory quality of life scores in the intervention group were much lower than in the control group. Serum levels of neuropeptide-Y (NPY) and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) significantly decreased, and serum level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) increased in both active and stable patients of the intervention group, but not in the control group. In addition, the serum levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) decreased in both the active and stable patients of the intervention group and only in the active patients of the control group. Conclusions: The combination of camouflage and psychotherapy provided a clinically meaningful improvement in quality of life and ameliorated the outcome by likely modulating the psycho-neuro-endocrine-immuno-skin system during vitiligo management. Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03540966, identifier: NCT03540966.

A Noncontact Method for Locating Radial Artery above Radial Styloid Process in Thermal Image.

A radial artery above the radial styloid process is called GUAN and is a critical position for collecting pulse wave in traditional Chinese medicine theory. Locating GUAN is a precondition for collecting radial pulse wave. However, existing methods for locating GUAN lead to large deviations. This paper proposes a novel nontouch method for locating GUAN based on thermal imaging and image processing. This method consists of three parts: the infrared thermal imaging location imaging platform, the wrist edge contour extraction algorithm based on arbitrary angle edge recognition, and radial protrusion recognition algorithm (x coordinate identification algorithm of GUAN) and radial artery fitting algorithm (y coordinate identification algorithm of GUAN). The infrared thermal imaging positioning imaging platform is used to ensure that the wrist of the subject enters the fixed imaging area in a fixed position during each measurement and transmits the thermal imaging images carrying the image information of radial processes and radial arteries to the upper computer. Arbitrary angle edge recognition algorithm is used to extract wrist contour and radial artery edge information. The x-axis coordinates of the radial artery were provided by the identification algorithm, and the y-axis coordinates of the radial artery were provided by the fitting algorithm. Finally, the x and y coordinates determine the GUAN position. The algorithm for locating GUAN could provide repeatable and reliable x and y coordinates. The proposed method shows that relative standard deviation (RSD) of x distance of GUAN is less than 9.0% and RSD of y distance of GUAN is less than 5.0%. The proposed method could provide valid GUAN coordinates and reduce deviations of locating GUAN.

A 3D Wrist Pulse Signal Acquisition System for Width Information of Pulse Wave.

During pulse signal collection, width information of pulse waves is essential for the diagnosis of disease. However, currently used measuring instruments can only detect the amplitude while can't acquire the width information. This paper proposed a novel wrist pulse signal acquisition system, which could realize simultaneous measurements of the width and amplitude of dynamic pulse waves under different static forces. A tailor-packaged micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor array was employed to collect pulse signals, a conditioning circuit was designed to process the signals, and a customized algorithm was developed to compute the width. Experiments were carried out to validate the accuracy of the sensor array and system effectiveness. The results showed the system could acquire not only the amplitude of pulse wave but also the width of it. The system provided more information about pulse waves, which could help doctors make the diagnosis.

Ginkgo biloba extract protects human melanocytes from H2 O2 -induced oxidative stress by activating Nrf2.

Vitiligo is a common skin depigmenting disorder characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes. Its pathogenesis is complicated and oxidative stress plays a critical role in the development of vitiligo. Thus, antioxidant therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent or even reverse the progression of depigmentation. Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 has been confirmed to have protective effects on neurons against oxidative stress. Notably, several clinical trials have shown that patients with stable vitiligo achieved repigmentation after taking EGb761. However, the exact mechanism underlying the protective effects of EGb761 on melanocytes against oxidative stress has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we found that EGb761 effectively protected melanocytes against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and alleviated the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation by enhancing the activity of antioxidative enzymes. Furthermore, the antioxidative effect of EGb761 was achieved by activating Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidative genes. In addition, interfering Nrf2 with siRNA abolished the protective effects of EGb761 on melanocytes against oxidative damage. In conclusion, our study proves that EGb761 could protect melanocytes from H2 O2 -induced oxidative stress by activating Nrf2. Therefore, EGb761 is supposed to be a potential therapeutic agent for vitiligo.

Berberine protects immortalized line of human melanocytes from H2O2-induced oxidative stress via activation of Nrf2 and Mitf signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays important roles in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The removal of hydrogen peroxided (H2O2) has been established to be beneficial to vitiligo patients. Berberine (BBR), a natural isoquinoline alkaloid, has antioxidant activity, however, whether BBR can defend human melanocytes against oxidative injury remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated the potential protective effect of BBR against oxidative stress on an immortalized normal human melanocyte cell line PIG1. METHODS: Generally, PIG1 cells were pretreated with various concentrations of BBR for 1 h followed by exposure to 1.0 mM H2O2 for 24 h. Cell apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed through flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis, melanogenesis and the activation of Nrf2-ARE and Mitf signaling pathway were assayed. RESULTS: Our results showed that cell viability rose and intracellular ROS generation, cell apoptosis of melanocytes decreased significantly in response to H2O2 through pretreatment with BBR. Furthermore, We found that BBR can dramatically induce Nrf2 nuclear translocation, increase total Nrf2 levels and enhance ARE activity. Besides, Nrf2-siRNA transfection can abrogate the protection of BBR in melanocytes against oxidative injury. At last, we verified that BBR could facilitate melanogenesis function via modulation of Mitf and its target proteins. CONCLUSION: The results above suggest that BBR can protect melanocytes against oxidative stress via its anti-oxidative activity. Also, we found H2O2-induced activation of NFκB was inhibited by BBR. Therefore, it is worthy of investigation BBR as a potential drug for treatment of vitiligo.