Ibrahim Kokcam

Antioxidants and lipid peroxidation status in the blood of patients with psoriasis

The aim of this research was to determine levels in blood of vitamin E, beta carotene, lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in patients with psoriasis. Studies were carried out on 34 patients with moderate and severe psoriases and healthy age-matched controls. Red blood cell (RBC) and plasma samples from healthy and patient subjects were taken. Levels of GSH and the activity of GSH-Px in both plasma and RBC samples were significantly (P<0.001) lower in patients with psoriasis than in controls, whereas beta carotene levels in plasma and MDA levels in RBC samples were significantly (P<0.01, P<0.001) higher in patients with psoriasis than in controls. However, vitamin E and MDA levels in plasma did not differ statistically. Although being far from conclusive, these results provide some evidence for a potential role of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidants in psoriasis.

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on blood antioxidants levels in patients with Behçet's disease.

Behçets disease (BD) is known for many years, yet its etiology remains unknown. In BD, the increased production of reactive oxygen species from activated neutrophils may reduce concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and enzymes in plasma and red blood cells (RBC). Vitamin E is an important fat soluble antioxidant and its role on antioxidant parameters of BD is unclear. The study was undertaken to evaluate the role of vitamin E on lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels, antioxidant vitamin and enzyme concentrations in plasma and RBC in patients with BD. There were three groups i.e., control, patient and treatment groups with twenty-five subjects in each. Nonsmoking patients with BD, patient group, was compared with an equal number of healthy control subjects (control group). Blood samples were taken from both control and patient groups and then oral vitamin E was daily supplemented to the patients with BD for six weeks (treated group). At the end of six weeks, blood was taken from the treated group once more. RBC and plasma MDA levels, serum neopterin, complement system (C(3) and C(4)), ASO, CRP, rheumatoid factor, plasma lipoprotein (a), total cholesterol concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were higher in the patient group than in the control group, but they were lower in the treatment group than in the patient group. While vitamins A, E and beta-carotene concentrations in plasma, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities and reduced glutathione levels in RBC and plasma were lower in patient group than in the controls, they were found to be higher in the treatment group than in the patient group. These results provide some evidence for a potential role of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants in BD by its inflammatory character and vitamin E which may strengthen the antioxidant defense system, and may contribute to the treatment of BD.

Antioxidants and lipid peroxidation status in the blood of patients with alopecia.

The aim of this research was to determine levels in blood of vitamin E, beta‐carotene, lipid peroxidation as thiobarbituric‐acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in patients with alopecia. Studies were carried out on 37 patients with alopecia and 34 healthy age‐matched controls. Red blood cell (RBC) and plasma samples from healthy and patient subjects were taken. Beta‐cartotene levels (P<0·001) in plasma and levels of GSH (P>0·05) and the activity of GSH‐Px (P<0·05, P<0·01) in both plasma and RBC samples were significantly lower in patients with alopecia than in controls, whereas TBARS levels in plasma (P<0·05) and RBC (P<0·001) samples were significantly higher in patients with alopecia than in controls. However, vitamin E levels in plasma did not differ statistically. Although being far from conclusive, these results provide some evidence for a potential role of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidants in alopecia. Copyright

A Case of Cutaneous Myiasis Caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica

Myiasis is caused by the invasion of tissues or organs of man or animals by dipterous larvae. The disease is infrequent in Turkey; it is observed particularly in people with some predisposing factors. A 46‐year‐old male farmer with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) presented with the complaint of a blood‐tinged discharge and pain in the left frontal‐temporal region for three days. Physical examination revealed live maggots in the ulcerous wound resulting from basal cell carcinoma. The larvae were removed with forceps, and the wound was locally dressed with povidone‐iodine. The maggots were identified as the third instar larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica.

Lupus vulgaris in a child following BCG immunization

A three year old girl presented with lupus vulgaris of the upper arm, which appeared 1 month after BCG immunization. The diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction after histology and culture were negative for mycobacteria. Complete healing followed 6 months of oral isoniazid.

A very rare side effect of mitomycin-C: psoriasiform drug eruption

Various topical preparations have been used with variable success, including topical steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, retinoids, and clindamycin. Oral contraceptives and oral isotretinoin have also been used, but none produced long-lasing results, and lesions tend to recur once treatment is stopped. Physical therapies including electrocautery, liposuction-assisted curettage, and surgical excision can be done as a last option. Fractional photothermolysis is a recently introduced technology in the field of ablative lasers. Fractional lasers produce microscopic treatment zones (MTZ). The depth and width of MTZ increases with using higher energy levels. The percentage of area covered by fractional lasers is also variable, but leaving microscopic untreated areas will speed healing and reduce down time and risk of complications. The use of fractional lasers in the treatment of Fox– Fordyce disease has not been described before, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report using fractional CO2 laser treatment of this difficult-to-treat condition. In conclusion, we think that fractional CO2 laser may be a treatment option for Fox–Fordyce disease based on the results we have seen in our patient, especially for patients that have tried conventional treatments without good response. Of course this has to be substantiated by further studies including a larger number of patients.

A Case of Linear Lichen Planus

Linear lichen planus (LLP) is a very rare form of lichen planus (LP) characterized by a linear distribution of the lichenoid lesions. It usually follows the lines of Blaschko with unilateral involvement. We report such a case of LLP. A 50‐year‐old man presented with slightly pruritic, linear, violaceous, papular lesions on the right side of his jaw. A biopsy specimen demonstrated the typical histology of LP. Based on the clinical and pathological findings, the diagnosis was LLP.