Peerzada Sajad

Serum antioxidant status in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Background: Vascular endothelial dysfunction is a central event in pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases. Systemic sclerosis is one of such diseases. The oxidative stress and depletion of antioxidants in the serum is believed to be one of the factors in causing this dysfunction. Aims: The aim of this case control study was to compare the levels of antioxidants in the serum of patients with systemic sclerosis and the normal age and sex matched controls. Materials and Methods: Our study consisted of 16 successively admitted patients with systemic sclerosis and 16 healthy, age and sex matched controls. The age group of patients ranged between 25 and 55 years. The duration of the disease in patients ranged from 1 to 8 years. The serum of patients and controls were assayed for the levels of antioxidants (GSH, NO, MDA, SOD and GPX) by spectrophotometry. The statistical method of analysis used was the one sample t-test. Results: The median levels of antioxidants in the control patients were: SOD-4.14 units/ml; GSH-4.76 units/ml; NO-5.58 nmol/l; MDA-0.53 nmol/l and GPX-49 μmol/l. The levels of NO, GSH and SOD were decreased in these patients with a significant P value (<0.001) whereas the levels of GPX and MDA were normal to increased with a significant P value. Conclusion: The depletion of antioxidants and oxidative stress in serum might be responsible for the vascular dysfunction and other hallmark manifestations of systemic sclerosis. Therefore micronutrient antioxidant supplements may be of therapeutic value.

Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in chronic urticaria and its association with disease activity: A case control study

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between vitamin D levels and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and compare with healthy age and sex matched controls. Material and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 1 year, in which 110 patients with CSU were recruited along with an equal number of sex and age-matched healthy controls. For each patient, urticaria activity score (UAS) was calculated and autologous serum skin test (ASST) was performed. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] was analyzed by chemiluminescence method. A deficiency in vitamin D was defined as serum 25-(OH)D concentrations <30 ng/mL. The statistical analysis was carried out by using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The mean serum 25-(OH)D levels of CSU patients was 19.6 ± 6.9 ng/mL, whereas in control group, the mean level was 38.5 ± 6.7, the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was found between vitamin D levels and UAS. (P < 0.001). The number of patients with ASST positivity was 44 (40%). Conclusion: The patients with CSU had reduced levels of vitamin D when compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between the levels of serum vitamin D and severity of CSU.

Serum Iron, Ferritin and Calcium Levels in Premature Canities

Background: Premature canities is defined as a minimum of five gray hairs present in a person less than 20 years of age. Etiologically, it is genetically mediated or may be associated with autoimmune syndromes. Few studies have found an association of decreased levels of trace elements with early canities, however the scientific evidence for the same is lacking. Aims and objectives: of this study were to evaluate the relationship of serum iron, ferritin and calcium concentrations with premature canities. Material and methods: This was a hospital based case-control cross-sectional study in which 50 patients aged less than 20 years with premature canities were studied. Age and sex matched 50 subjects with other mild skin ailments but no canities were taken as controls. A detailed history, thorough examination and lab investigations were carried out in all the patients and controls after taking informed consent. The severity of canities was graded as: mild (up to 50), moderate (50-100) and severe (more than 100 gray hairs). Results: Seventeen patients (34%) had mild disease, 30 patients (60%) had moderate disease and 3 patients (6%) had severe disease. The mean age of onset was about 2 years earlier than mean age of presentation. Femalemale ratio was 1.38:1. Positive family history was present in 31 patients (62%). The mean levels of serum iron. Ferritin and calcium were statistically significantly low in patients when compared to controls. Conclusion: The significantly low levels of these trace elements in our patients with premature canities support the fact that their supplementation might prevent the progression of canities. However, large scale studies are needed to substantiate these observations.

Etiopathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata (AA) is a recurrent, non-scarring type of hair loss affecting the hair follicles and sometimes the nails. Current evidence indicates that hair follicle inflammation in alopecia areata is caused by a T-cell mediated autoimmune mechanism occurring in genetically predisposed individuals. Environmental factors like infections, diet, vaccination and stress may be responsible for triggering the disease. The association between alopecia areata and other autoimmune diseases suggests that alopecia areata is itself an autoimmune disease. Recently many cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AA and these are focused upon in this article.