Zinc alleviates high fat diet-induced spermatogenic dysfunction in Wistar rats: role of oxidative stress, HMGB1 and inflammasome.

Whether chronic inflammation in the genital tract induced by obesity shares in spermatogenic dysfunction is not clearly known. We aimed to study the effect of high fat diet (HFD) on spermatogenesis, seminal oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA)) and inflammatory markers (high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and pyrin-3 domain containing (NLRP3)) in the rat testes and the role of zinc on testicular dysfunction and chronic inflammation in high fat diet (HFD) fed rat testes. This parallel group comparative experimental study included 36 male wistar rats divided into 3 groups: group A (fed on normal control diet); group B (fed on high fat diet (HFD) only); and group C (fed on HFD with zinc supplementation 3.2 mg/kg/day orally). At the end of the 12th week, sperm count, viability and motility were assessed by computer-assisted seemen analysis (CASA), seminal malondialdehyde measured by calorimetry and histopathological examination of testicular sections was done. Immunohistochemical staining was done for HMGB1 and NLRP3 evaluation. Sperm count was lowest in group B. Groups A and C showed statistically significant higher mean sperm vitality, total and progressive motility scores (p < 0.001), while no difference was found between the groups A and C (p > 0.05). Seminal malondialdehyde level was significantly highest in group B. Tubular diameter, epithelial height and Johnsen score were significantly lowest in group B. Significantly higher HMGB1 and NLRP3 levels were demonstrated in group B (p < 0.001). Obesity is associated with testicular dysfunction, testicular oxidative stress and increased testicular HMGB1 and NLRP3. We suggest a beneficial effect of zinc on testicular function in HFD-rats.

Noncultured Trypsinized Epidermal Cell Suspension Transplantation After Cryoblebbling Versus Noncultured Nontrypsinized Epidermal Cell Graft Homogenized With Plasma Gel After Dermabrasion for Stable Vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo treatment is challenging, especially for resistant and stable vitiligo, which requires surgical management. Noncultured epidermal cell suspension has been modified to enhance the treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of autologous noncultured trypsinized epidermal cell suspension in recipient site prepared by cryoblebbling and noncultured nontrypsinized epidermal cell graft homogenized with plasma gel in recipient site prepared by dermabrasion for stable vitiligo treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Interventional comparative study on 30 patients with stable vitiligo, randomly divided into 2 equal groups. Group A: noncultured trypsinized epidermal cell suspension for recipient prepared by cryoblebbling. Group B: noncultured nontrypsinized epidermal cell graft homogenized with plasma gel for recipient prepared by dermabrasion. Afterward, both groups received 3 months of narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy. RESULTS: The plasma gel group showed a significantly earlier onset of repigmentation and faster healing (p = .002* and <.001*, respectively). Overall, repigmentation was higher in the plasma gel group (p = .037* at the end of the second month). Color matching and patient satisfaction were higher in the plasma gel group, without statistical significance. The cryobleb group showed more recipient site complications, and the plasma gel procedure was relatively easier and cheaper. CONCLUSION: Plasma gel modification is cost-effective, less time-consuming, does not require trypsinization, and provides rapid, satisfactory, and uniform repigmentation. Cryoblebbing and trypsinization are effective; however, there are more technical difficulties, delayed healing, and delayed onset of repigmentation.

Transepidermal Delivery of Triamcinolone Acetonide or Platelet Rich Plasma Using Either Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser or Micro-needling in Treatment of Alopecia Areata.

Introduction: Trans-epidermal drug delivery, using "laser-assisted drug delivery", or micro-needling, are new treatment modalities, that can improve drug penetration into skin in treatment of alopecia areata patients. Objectives: To evaluate the use of fractional carbon dioxide laser versus micro-needling in trans-epidermal delivery of triamcinolone acetonide and platelet rich plasma in alopecia areata treatment. Methods: Interventional comparative study carried out on 60 patients, randomly divided into four equal groups. Group I: Fractional Carbon dioxide laser and triamcinolone acetonide. Group II: micro-needling with Dermapen and triamcinolone acetonide. Group III: fractional carbon dioxide laser and platelet-rich plasma. Group IV: micro-needling with Dermapen and platelet-rich plasma. Patients were evaluated clinically, using Severity of Alopecia Tool score and hair regrowth scale, and dermoscopically. Results: In all treatment groups, there was improvement in the Regrowth scale, with statistical significance between the different groups at fourth (P = 0.001) and last (P = 0.008) visits, with highest, most significant changes in Pen-Steroid group. Comparing Regrowth scale at last visit, results were in favor of Dermapen, compared to Carbon dioxide laser for trans-epidermal drug delivery (P = 0.023); and in favor of triamcinolone acetonide, compared to platelet-rich plasma as topical medication (P = 0.015). Dermoscopic signs of improvement included decrease in black dots, and appearance of Upright regrowing hairs (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Micro-needling and fractional carbon dioxide laser are effective tools for trans-epidermal drug delivery for Alopecia areata treatment. Micro-needling for delivery of Triamcinolone acetonide showed best treatment outcomes. Dermoscopy is highly beneficial in evaluating treatment response in alopecia areata.