The impact on the quality of life and sleep complaints in a vitiligo sample and the influence of inflammatory cytokines in the interaction between vitiligo and sleep.

INTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is an autoimmune dermatosis that affects quality of life, which englobes sleep quality. Sleep regulates the immune system, including inflammatory cytokines, and other pathways, which may influence vitiligo pathogenesis. OBJECTIVES: To analyze levels of immune serum components (cytokines) in a vitiligo group, and assess whether there was any association with sleep. METHODS: This study comprised 30 vitiligo patients and 26 control individuals. Quality of life and sleep questionnaires were completed [Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)]. Seven cytokines have been measured: IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-12 p40 and TNF-α. RESULTS: The mean age of the vitiligo group was 47.7 years-old, with prevalence of females (66.7 %). Mucosal (70 %), acral (60 %) and focal subtype (53.3 %) predominated. Signs of vitiligo activity were identified in 63.3 % of the disease sample. Total PSQI scores and scores for domain 4 (sleep efficiency) were statistically worse in vitiligo group. The SF-36 and ISI total scores were worse in the vitiligo group, although not statistically significant compared with controls. Four SF-36 domains were statistically worse in vitiligo sample, and the DLQI mean score was mild to moderate (5.57). Cytokine levels were not different between groups, or when associated with PSQI. Higher ISI scores (more severe insomnia) were related to increased IL-17A. Higher IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were associated with previous phototherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep and impaired aspects of quality of life predominated in the vitiligo sample. Insomnia was related to IL-17A increase in vitiligo. Increased levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 were related to previous ultraviolet B narrow band (UVB-NB) phototherapy, suggesting an interaction of this treatment on immune system. Sleep disruption and the course of vitiligo may have common pathways in respect of circadian cytokines, which may represent an important subject in vitiligo management.

The relationship between irritable bowel syndrome, the gut microbiome, and obstructive sleep apnea: the role of the gut-brain axis.

Sleep disruption, especially that resulting from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) - a widely prevalent sleep disorder - can lead to important systemic repercussions. We raise a subject of current interest, namely the possible relationship between sleep in general, OSA, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an intestinal disease that can be made worse by stressful events. The intermittent hypoxia caused by OSA can induce alterations in the gut microbiota, which can lead to the dysregulation of the gut-brain axis and the worsening of IBS. This may be considered to be a circular relationship, with OSA playing a crucial role in the worsening of bowel symptoms, which in turn have a negative effect on sleep. Thus, based on previous evidence, we suggest that improving sleep quality could be a key to disrupting this relationship of IBS aggravation and OSA.

Sleep loss and the skin: Possible effects of this stressful state on cutaneous regeneration during nocturnal dermatological treatment and related pathways.

Cutaneous homeostasis can be modulated by sleep. Although there is little evidence about the efficacy of medications topically applied in the morning compared to those administered in the evening, they are commonly prescribed to be used overnight. Poor sleep may affect the tegument, but its repercussion on dermatological therapy is not clear. This communication aims to carry out an overview on the relationship between sleep and the skin, particularly in respect of the effectiveness of topical substances during the night versus the day; and the possible impact of sleep dysregulation on these treatments. Features related to this external organ, involving hydration, blood flow, and the permeability of the superficial barrier have physiological variations in sleep period. Our hypothesis is that sleep loss could alter drug absorption in the dermis and impair the success of the treatment. This can depend on the integrity of the mechanical skin barrier, and the enzymatic process after drug penetration, which may be influenced by the circadian rhythm. We raise the role of sleep disturbance in relation to skin aging and the cutaneous microbiota. The organ integrity and local immunology can be guided by sleep distress, which can modify the control of dermatological diseases. Future comparative analyses are warranted to explore the possible changes of the integumentary system influenced by circadian rhythm, and interference in response to topical dermal treatments. We emphasize the importance of sufficient sleep to improve the clinical management of several dermatosis and cosmetic complaints that need percutaneous therapeutics.

Sleep and quality of life in kidney transplant recipients with and without non-melanoma skin cancer: a comparative study.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTR), related to the immunosuppressive effects of anti-rejection therapy. Sleep disturbances can alter the immune system and enhance oxidative stress, which may increase the risk of carcinogenesis. This study aimed to analyze the quality of life and sleep in KTR with and without NMSC. Participants answered a set of questionnaires, the WHOQOL-bref, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Berlin Questionnaire and self-reported chronotype. The total sample was distributed in the following groups: KTR with NMSC (n = 42), KTR without NMSC (n = 43) and healthy controls (n = 41). The mean scores of the questionnaires were not statistically significant, except for 3 domains of PSQI (sleep quality, sleep latency and daily consequences of poor sleep). The KTR with NMSC and control group presented worse sleep quality. Worse sleep latency and more daytime consequences were found in KTR groups. All groups had a numerical predominance of low-quality sleep (PSQI) and greater sleepiness (EES). Higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea was not observed and the evening-type chronotype was most frequent. In the WHOQOL, compromised physical domain was observed in KTR. Significant results were reached in few aspects of quality of life and sleep comparing KTR and controls. All groups presented excessive daytime sleepiness and low-sleep quality.

Reproduction, skin aging, and sleep in middle-aged women.

There is a growing trend for women to delay having children, with a significant number of women postponing motherhood until the third or fourth decade of life. At the same time, these middle-aged women may be more concerned about skin aging and use dermatologic procedures to delay or repair the effects of aging, environmental factors, and oxidative stress on the skin. It has been suggested that the use of skin cosmetics and procedures may play a role in the reproductive system, although their possible effects have not yet been clearly elucidated. Another crucial factor that needs to be raised in this context is poor sleep, which seems to have an important relationship with both reduced fertility and accelerated skin aging, especially when it is associated with greater oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance. This review discusses the important triad of sleep, dermatology, and reproduction, a subject that has received relatively little attention; and, given its potentially wide-ranging implications, one that deserves more frequent and detailed consideration in future studies. Understanding this complex web of interactions could help to provide outcomes that include healthier skin, safety, improved self-esteem, and successful fertility treatments, all of which can directly affect quality of life.

Rosacea, poor sleep quality, and obstructive sleep apnea: A commentary on potential interconnected features.

Although rosacea is classically considered a skin disorder, recent evidence shows that it is emerging as a systemic disease. The classical symptoms of burning, intense erythema, and flushing could be related to several systemic and metabolic comorbidities. We highlight the role of sleep disturbance as a possible trigger for rosacea, which could be explained by the inflammatory and stressful conditions that can be produced by poor sleep. In particular, we call attention to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common multisystemic sleep disorder; it could be linked with rosacea in the context of the metabolic syndrome, which in turn is frequently associated with OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea may be accompanied by autonomic system activation and catecholamine release, which can aggravate rosacea. Poor sleep, resulting from any underlying cause, can have a range of effects including immunological modulation and intrinsic cutaneous changes (such as the impairment of skin barrier defense and modifications in the skin microbiome) that may trigger rosacea. Further studies on this subject could provide more evidence on these relationships and help to improve the patients' quality of life and management of this uncomfortable and potentially severe skin condition.

The importance of evaluating sleep complaints in children with ichthyoses: a commentary on physical and psychological growth impairment.

NONE: Ichthyosis, as a debilitating disease, can cause significant physical and psychological damage to children and their families, which also includes sleep impairment. We call attention to the importance of evaluating sleep complaints in these patients, given the scarcity of studies on this subject. As the disease commonly results in severe skin injury, it can affect social relationships and the life and sleep quality of the individuals, leading to significant psychologic damage that can persist throughout their lives.

The role of sleep in telogen effluvium and trichodynia: A commentary in the context of the current pandemic.

Telogen effluvium (TE), a common hair disease, is supposed to be related to stress, which could be secondary to poor sleep. We call attention to the current COVID-19 pandemic, that is leading to an increase in the prevalence of sleep disturbances, and as a consequence, higher states of stress and anxiety, which are possible triggers for TE. In parallel, trichodynia is a sensorial symptom that is commonly related with hair diseases, including TE. We argue that substance P, a neuropeptide that has participation in the neuroinflammation and in the sleep regulation, may play a possible role in this scalp paresthesia. We suggest that there may be an association between this substrate and sleep, which can aggravate trichodynia and TE. Further studies on this subject could provide more evidence on these relationships, and help to improve the patients' quality of life and management of the condition.

Pregnancy and the apoptotic pathway in experimental melanoma.

Pregnancy-associated melanoma is defined as melanoma diagnosed during pregnancy or within 1 year of delivery. The association of pregnancy with melanoma is well known, but its underlying molecular mechanisms of association are poorly understood. The aim was to assess the expression of apoptosis-related genes in melanoma tumors during pregnancy in an attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying apoptosis-driven activation of melanoma cells in this period. Mice were allocated across two experimental groups (nonpregnant and pregnant) and implanted with the melanoma cell line BF16-F10. Tumor tissue was collected for RNA extraction and purification, and gene expression was quantified using the mouse apoptosis RT2ProfilerTM PCR array. Different intracellular apoptotic pathways were activated (positively or negatively) by pregnancy in tumor cells: intrinsic (21.5%), extrinsic (32%), caspase (14%), apoptosis (21.5%), and caspase-activated DNase (11%). The proportion of upregulated genes for each of these pathways was 100, 30, 50, 17, and 0%, respectively. MetaCore software was then used to analyze gene ontology processes and pathways by building networks. Among the gene ontology processes, the majority of differentiated genes were related to the apoptotic process. The main pathway activated by pregnancy was the intrinsic one (genes Api-5, Bcl2-L1, Birc-2, Birc-3, Bok, and Trp53bp2). Pregnancy activates the intrinsic apoptosis pathway to stimulate caspases 7 and 9, but the final balance is inhibition of apoptosis mechanisms. In mice, pregnancy cannot promote or worsen melanoma.