ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The results of the very few histochemical studies that have been performed so far on the lectin-binding profile of normal human epidermis are mostly controversial; thus, the carbohydrate residue composition of the cell surface in the latter still remains in dispute and the possible alterations in the epidermal lectin-binding profile are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of age on the carbohydrate residue composition of the cell surface in unexposed normal human epidermis by means of lectin histochemistry. METHODS: Biopsy specimens obtained from the sun-protected (unexposed) buttock skin, divided into 5 age groups of 18 subjects each, were fixed in buffered formalin (10%) and embedded in paraffin. 4-mum sections were processed for histochemistry using a panel of six biotinylated lectins. RESULTS: In the unexposed normal human epidermis the concentration and distribution of cell surface beta-D-galactose, D-galactose-beta-(1,3 N-acetylo-D-galactosamine), beta(1,4 D-N-acetylo-D-glucosamine) and alpha-D-N-acetylo-D-galactosamine were almost identical in all age groups, whereas those of alpha-D-mannose, alpha-D-glucose and alpha-L-fucose revealed significant age-related differences. CONCLUSION: These findings may be due to an age-related decline in synthesis and/or transport of monosaccharides from the cytoplasm to the surface of epidermal cells. Thus, the corresponding lectins concanavalin A and Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I can only be used in comparative histochemical studies of the carbohydrate residue composition of the cell surface in the normal and pathological epidermis of individuals of the same age, whereas Ricinus communis agglutinin-I, peanut agglutinin, wheat germ agglutinin and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin, whose binding to carbohydrates is not affected by aging can be used in histochemical studies of carbohydrate residue composition of the cell surface in the normal and pathological epidermis in human subjects of any age.
Subject(s)
Carbohydrates/analysis , Epidermis/chemistry , Lectins/analysis , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Epidermal Cells , Female , Galactose/analysis , Histocytochemistry , Humans , Macrolides/analysis , Male , Middle Aged , Peanut Agglutinin/analysis , Plant Lectins/analysis , Wheat Germ Agglutinins/analysisABSTRACT
A 57-year-old female patient with widespread chronic plaque psoriasis and a 32-year-old male patient with severe oral lichen planus are reported, who developed sensory symptoms in the extremities 3 and 4 months after the onset of oral acitretin therapy, respectively. Both patients showed clinical and electrophysiological evidence of a sensory peripheral neuropathy, which completely resolved 2 and 2.5 years after discontinuation of oral acitretin administration, respectively.
Subject(s)
Acitretin/adverse effects , Keratolytic Agents/adverse effects , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced , Acitretin/administration & dosage , Administration, Oral , Adult , Female , Humans , Keratolytic Agents/administration & dosage , Lichen Planus, Oral/drug therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Psoriasis/drug therapySubject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Granuloma/drug therapy , Interferon-alpha/administration & dosage , Skin Diseases/drug therapy , Xanthomatosis/drug therapy , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biopsy, Needle , Follow-Up Studies , Granuloma/pathology , Humans , Injections, Subcutaneous , Interferon alpha-2 , Male , Recombinant Proteins , Skin Diseases/pathology , Treatment Outcome , Xanthomatosis/pathologyABSTRACT
In an attempt to elucidate the effects of oral thalidomide on liver phospholipid composition, doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg/day of thalidomide were orally administered to two groups of female Wistar rats (7 animals each), respectively, over a period of 60 days. Control animals (n = 7) received corresponding quantities of the vehicle alone. Chromatographic analysis and quantitative determination of the isolated phospholipid classes revealed statistically significant alterations of phospholipid fractions in the liver of the animals treated with the higher thalidomide dose (3 mg/kg/day). These alterations may be associated with changes in the metabolic activity, ionic transport and cell-cell interactions of the hepatic cellular components.
Subject(s)
Leprostatic Agents/pharmacology , Liver/drug effects , Liver/metabolism , Phospholipids/metabolism , Thalidomide/pharmacology , Administration, Oral , Animals , Chromatography, Thin Layer , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Leprostatic Agents/administration & dosage , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Thalidomide/administration & dosageABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral isotretinoin in the treatment of condylomata acuminata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 56 male patients with a history of condylomata acuminata refractory to at least 1 standard therapeutic regimen was treated orally with isotretinoin (1 mg./kg. daily) during a 3-month period. RESULTS: At the end of treatment 21 of the 53 evaluated patients (39.6%) had complete response, 7 (13.2%) had partial response and 25 (47.1%) had no response. A statistically significant inverse relationship was found between age and area of treated lesions and response to medication. Two complete responders (9.5%) revealed recurrence during the 1-year followup. CONCLUSIONS: Oral isotretinoin may be regarded as an effective, fairly well tolerated and noninvasive alternative form of therapy for immature and small condylomata acuminata.