Effects of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone on calcium concentration in SZ95 sebocytes.

Melanocortins have been implicated in human sebum secretion for a long time. However, the signalling pathways of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in human sebocytes expressing melanocortin receptors (MC-Rs) are still poorly understood. Because calcium ions play a central role in MC-R signalling, we investigated whether α-MSH affects calcium signalling in the immortalized human sebocyte cell line SZ95. In addition, we investigated the impact of α-MSH on MC-1R expression and lipid synthesis in these cells. α-MSH increased intracellular calcium levels. α-MSH-mediated calcium mobilization originated from intracellular calcium stores and was mediated by inositol triphosphate. Moreover, α-MSH increased MC-1R immunoreactivity and lipid synthesis in SZ95 sebocytes in the presence of testosterone. Our data demonstrate that α-MSH in human sebocytes controls a key cellular signalling pathway, the calcium ion response, which may coordinate MC-1R-mediated sebum secretion.

Burn scars treated by pinhole method using a carbon dioxide laser.

Many patients with burn injuries have various complications and emotional problems due to scars. Although various modalities to improve burn scars have been attempted, such as excision of scars, skin grafts, laser abrasion and silicone product usage, the cosmetic outcomes have not been satisfactory for a large portion of patients. Herein, we describe two cases which showed satisfactory cosmetic results after treatment of burns scars with the pinhole method using a carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser that allowed us to make deep, closely set holes reaching down to the upper dermis. A 20-year-old female patient with a scar on her neck and a 25-year-old female patient with a scar on her right forearm after burn injuries are presented. As early as only a few weeks after the treatment, the scars showed relaxation of contracture, reduction of wrinkles and improvement of texture and color compared to before the treatment. Treatment of burn scars with the pinhole method can be easily performed and results in dramatic improvement in scar quality with only a few side-effects.