Oral tranexamic acid, hydroquinone 4% and low-fluence 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for mixed melasma: Clinical and dermoscopic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Tranexamic acid (TA) can prevent melanocyte activation by various stimuli. Combining TA with either hydroquinone 4% or Q-switched Nd:YAG laser may be associated with greater improvement of melasma. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral TA alone and combined with either topical hydroquinone 4% or low-fluence 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in treatment of mixed melasma. PATIENTS & METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into three groups of 20 patients each. Group A were treated with oral TA 250 mg twice daily for three months; group B were treated with TA similarly combined with topical hydroquinone 4% cream; group C were treated with TA combined with two sessions of 1064 nm low-fluence Q-switched ND:YAG laser (850-1200 mJ/cm2 , 4-5 Hz,spot size 4 mm) spaced 4 weeks apart. Patients were followed monthly for 9 months. RESULTS: After cessation of therapy, the mean mMASI score was lowest in group B (2.34 ± 2.37) followed by groups A (6.38 ± 4.04) and C (7.24 ± 4.95).Mean percentage of mMASI score improvement was 35.91 ± 24.13, 77.47 ± 19.07, and 24.94 ± 27.79 in groups A, B, and C (p < 0.001). There was a significant reduction of telangiectasia in the three groups. Reported side effects were itching & irritation, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and gastritis. CONCLUSION: Oral TA is a tolerable effective treatment modality for melasma. Combining hydroquinone 4% with oral TA is associated with a relatively earlier and better cosmetic outcome.

Evaluation of daily avanafil efficacy in improving the endothelial function in Egyptian males with erectile dysfunction.

Avanafil is a highly selective and potent oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. However, its impact on the soluble markers of endothelial function has not been investigated yet. This study was conducted to assess the effect of daily avanafil on the endothelial markers' serum level and erectile function in patients with erectile dysfunction. In this work, we randomly divided 140 males with erectile dysfunction and other diseases commonly associated with endothelial dysfunction like diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidaemia into two equal groups: treatment group, treated with 50mg daily oral avanafil, and control group, treated with placebo. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 score and the serum levels of nitric oxide, cyclic guanosine monophosphate and endothelin-1 as markers of endothelial function were measured at baseline and after four weeks of treatment in both groups. At the end of treatment period, those randomised to avanafil achieved statistically significant improvement in erectile function, nitric oxide, cyclic guanosine monophosphate and endothelin-1 levels from baseline versus placebo regardless the type and duration of associated comorbidity as well as the duration and severity of erectile dysfunction. These results permitted us to suggest that daily avanafil can improve the impaired endothelial function associated with the erectile dysfunction.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic disease: relation to endocan, TNF-α, age of onset, and body fat.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common multisystem inflammatory disease with several associated comorbidities. Serological markers to detect associated subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients are needed. We aimed to study serum endocan levels in psoriasis vulgaris and its relation to severity of psoriasis, systemic inflammation, associated atherosclerosis, obesity, and the possible factors affecting its level in psoriatic patients. METHODS: This study was conducted on 30 moderate-severe psoriasis vulgaris patients and 30 healthy controls. Body mass index, body fat percent, and PASI assessments were done. Serum endocan and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were measured by ELISA. Carotid artery intima-media thickness measurement by high-resolution ultrasound was performed. RESULTS: Psoriasis patients showed significantly higher serum tumor necrosis factor-α and endocan levels (P1 = 0.008, P2 = 0.003). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference between mean carotid artery intima-media thickness of both groups (P = 0.005). Serum endocan levels positively correlated with PASI score (P = 0.002), tumor necrosis factor-α levels (P < 0.001), mean carotid artery intima-media thickness (P = 0.001), and body mass index (P < 0.001) in the patients group. Additionally, the age of onset of disease negatively correlated with serum endocan (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Serum endocan is a promising marker of severity of psoriasis and associated atherosclerosis. Early onset psoriasis is associated with higher serum endocan levels. Body mass index is positively correlated with serum endocan levels. The positive correlation of endocan and tumor necrosis factor-α supports the regulatory effect of the cytokine on endocan production and suggests the role of endocan as an inflammatory marker.