Hee Kyeong Lim

Cigarette Smoke-Induced Interleukin-1 Alpha May Be Involved in the Pathogenesis of Adult Acne

Background Lipid peroxide (LPO) in comedones, which are produced as a result of sebum oxidation, might potentially induce interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and exacerbate comedogenesis and inflammatory changes in comedones. Objective To investigate the relationship of proinflammatory cytokines and LPO levels in the extracts of comedones with the acne of clinical difference between smokers and non-smokers, and with the severity and distribution of the acne lesions. Methods Twenty-two non-smoking and 21 smoking adult acne patients were evaluated by comedone extraction and measurement of proinflammatory cytokines and LPO levels. Acne severity and distribution of the lesions were also analyzed. Results Relative to the non-smoking group, smokers had significantly higher levels of IL-1α and LPO in comedones. Their levels showed a positive correlation. However, there were no statistically significant difference between the severity or distribution of the disease and the levels of LPO and IL-1α in comedones. Conclusion Smoking may be involved in the pathogenesis of adult acne by increasing the oxidative stress that results in subsequent accumulation of LPO in comedones.

Serum Leptin and Adiponectin Levels in Korean Patients with Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a disorder caused by genetic and immunological factors. Leptin, a peptide hormone secreted predominantly from adipose tissue, regulates energy intake and expenditure, as well as the T-helper response. There have been conflicting reports regarding serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in patients with psoriasis. In the present study, we measured serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in Korean patients with psoriasis. Twenty-four patients with psoriasis and fifteen control subjects were included in the study. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined by an immunometric sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean serum leptin concentration in patients with psoriasis was higher than in controls, and the difference was statistically significant. In contrast, serum adiponectin levels in patients with psoriasis were significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. Leptin levels in vitamin D-deficient patients were statistically significantly higher than in vitamin D-sufficient patients. Serum adiponectin concentrations showed a negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) in patients with psoriasis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that leptin and adiponectin may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis and may be useful biomarkers indicating severity of psoriasis in Korean patients. Graphical Abstract

Characterization of microthermal zones induced by fractional radiofrequency using reflectance confocal microscopy: a preliminary study.

The microthermal zone (MTZ) produced by fractional device have been mostly evaluated through histopathologic analysis. Study of ablative type MTZ created by fractional device and skin thermal interaction using in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been rarely reported.

An open-label, split-face trial evaluating efficacy and safty of photopneumatic therapy for the treatment of acne.

Background Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease worldwide, with many available treatment modalities, including oral and topical medications and laser therapy. Recently, a novel device (Isolaz, Pleasanton, CA, USA) that combines vacuum pressure and a broadband light source (400 nm to 1,200 nm) was developed for the treatment of acne. Objective To determine the clinical efficacy and safety of photopneumatic therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris of the face. Methods Twenty adults with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris received 4 successive treatments on one side of the face with a combined photopneumatic device (intense pulsed light: fluence=5.8 J/cm2; negative pressure=iMP mode) at 2 week intervals. Acne lesions on the opposite side of the face were not treated. Lesion counts were performed at baseline, prior to each treatment session, and at 3 months after the final treatment session. Results Significant lesion improvements and reduced numbers of acne lesions were observed on the treated side of the faces. Most patients experienced global clinical improvement. No severe side effects occurred during the study, with only a few patients experiencing transient erythema, purpura and/or exacerbation of pre-existing acne. Conclusion Photopneumatic therapy is a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

Nanostructural change of human melanocytes stimulated with α-melanocyte stimulating hormone observed by atomic force microscopy.

It is well known that α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) induces melanization, but structural changes of melanocytes after α-MSH exposure are not well known. This study investigated the serial morphologic changes of human cultured melanocytes after stimulation with α-MSH using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cultured human melanocytes were treated with α-MSH for 7 days. Contact mode AFM images were obtained using a NANOstation II and fixed melanocytes were scanned in PBS solution at a resolution of 512 × 512 pixels, at a scan speed of 0.4 line/s. The surface roughness and pore-like structures of the melanocytes were measured from topographic images using the Scanning Probe Imaging Processor. The surface roughness of cell body did not change significantly over time. All three roughness parameters (Sa, Sq, Sz) inside the pore-like structures on the dendrites increased significantly. The number of pore-like structures increased and the length and the breadth of pore-like structures also increased gradually. Pore-like structures changed statistically significantly in response to α-MSH stimulation. Further study will be needed to clarify whether the nature of pore-like structures is related to movement of melanosomes.