Brain-derived nerve factor and neurotrophins in androgenetic alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Several growth factors and cytokines have been shown to be involved in normal hair cycling as well as in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). However, the molecular cascades in AGA downstream from androgen receptor activation are far from being fully elucidated. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the difference in the protein expression of growth factors/cytokines in balding vs. nonbalding scalp specimens from the same individuals affected with AGA. METHODS: Balding and nonbalding scalp specimens were collected from four men with pattern baldness. Dermal papilla (DP) cells were isolated and cultured. Quantifying the protein expression of growth factors and cytokines expressed by these cells was performed using Quantibody® Human Growth Factor Array-1 (RayBiotech, Inc., Norcross, GA, U.S.A.). RESULTS: Brain-derived nerve factor (BDNF) protein expression was upregulated by approximately 12-fold in supernatants obtained from balding as compared with nonbalding DP cells (P < 0·001). Expression of neurotrophin-3 and of ß-nerve growth factor was also upregulated. On the other hand, protein expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 and its binding proteins as well as of the vascular endothelial growth factor family were significantly downregulated in the balding scalp. CONCLUSIONS: Neurotrophic factors, especially BDNF, may be important in mediating the effects of androgens on hair follicles, serving as a negative regulatory control signal. Further studies may lead to novel pharmacological interventions in AGA.

Multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of fexofenadine 60 mg. twice daily in 108 Thai patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Fexofenadine is a non-sedating antihistamine indicated for relieving symptoms from allergic conditions with a rapid onset of action without cardiotoxic risks. Controlled studies showed that fexofenadine 180 mg daily provides significant relief of symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of fexofenadine 60 mg twice daily in Thai patients with CIU in a multicenter trial. Patients were assigned to receive twice daily doses of fexofenadine 60 mg for 6 weeks. Patients rated symptom severity every night, investigators rated patients' signs and symptoms at recruitment and at 1, 3 and 6 weeks. Ninety eight out of 108 patient (90.7%) completed the study. The patients reported 95 per cent improvement and, of those, 91 per cent had very favorable responses (excellent 15%, very good 42%, good 30%, fair 8%). The objective assessment by their physicians paralleled those responses. Fexofenadine provided a rapid clinical response that was significantly superior to before treatment in relieving symptoms of CIU (p < 0.001). Adverse events occurred in 20 cases (18.5%), mostly mild headache and drowsiness. Fexofenadine 60 mg twice daily provides effective relief of the symptoms of CIU with minimal adverse events.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura presenting as hemorrhagic vesicles and bullae: case report and literature review.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura is a syndrome characterized by nonthrombocytopenic purpura accompanied by arthralgia, gastrointestinal symptoms, or renal involvement. We report a 5.5-year-old boy with high fever and hemorrhagic vesicles and bullae varying in size from 2 to 50 mm in diameter, on both pinnas, the hard palate, gums, dorsa of the hands, buttocks, and both legs, and review the pertinent literature.

Tissue-specific autoantibodies and autoimmune disorders in vitiligo and alopecia areata: a retrospective study.

We retrospectively analyzed our laboratory reports of tissue-specific autoantibodies (TSA) in 38 patients with alopecia areata (AA) and 31 patients with vitiligo. These reports were based on standard indirect immunofluorescence (IF) procedures, employing monkey tissues as substrates. One or more TSA were detected in 39% of serum samples. Thyroid (microsomal and/or thyroglobulin) antibodies had the highest occurrence rate and, as compared with the normal population, were detected at a greater frequency in both vitiligo and AA. Over half (58%) of our patients with vitiligo had one or more detectable TSA, while only 28% of patients with AA had such antibodies. When compared with the normal population, the occurrence rate of TSA was higher in patients with vitiligo. The only remarkable finding in AA was a higher than normal occurrence rate of antithyroid antibodies.

Increased frequency of diabetes mellitus in patients with bullous pemphigoid: a case-control study.

A case-control study was designed to assess the occurrence rate of primary diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) by retrospectively reviewing the records of our thirty histopathologically and immunopathologically proved cases of BP from the past 10 years. One hundred twenty patients were selected as controls, which included two names immediately before and two names immediately after each case of BP in our histopathology record book. The occurrence rate of primary DM prior to the administration of systemic corticosteroids was significantly higher in patients with BP than in the controls (20% and 2.5%, respectively; p = 0.004). Among patients over 50 years of age, this occurrence rate was again higher in patients with BP than in the controls (23% and 3.6% respectively; p = 0.02). This study suggests a higher than chance association of BP and primary DM.

Liver abnormalities in patients with lichen planus. A retrospective case-control study.

A retrospective case-control study of 136 patients with lichen planus and 272 paired controls demonstrated a significantly higher occurrence of liver abnormalities in this dermatosis. There is currently no good explanation for the high occurrence rate of such abnormalities in lichen planus. Factors that alter epidermal cell antigenicity may induce reactions that can damage keratinocytes as well as hepatocytes.

Fixed drug eruption. A brief review.

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a distinctive variant of drug-induced dermatoses with characteristic recurrence at the same site of the skin or mucous membranes. The clinical and laboratory features of FDE are reviewed herein and possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.

Immunohistopathological studies of blastomycosis: the use of labeled specific antigens in a hamster model of disease.

We applied a modified immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase method, utilizing labeled Blastomyces dermatitidis antigens, to look for specific antibody-bearing B/plasma cells in the tissue infiltrates of blastomycosis lesions induced in hamsters. No specific anti-blastomyces antibodies were detectable by this method, although such antibodies were present in blood samples as demonstrated by routine immunodiffusion techniques. These studies suggest that humoral immune reactions do not play a major role in the pathogenesis of lesions of blastomycosis in hamsters.

Neonatal lupus erythematosus: a review.

Neonatal lupus erythematosus is an uncommon type of lupus that in addition to cutaneous lesions may have systemic involvement. It is generally a benign condition unless complicated by complete heart block, which is irreversible and which carries a high mortality rate in the first year of life. Patients' mothers often show clinical and/or laboratory features of connective tissue diseases.