Yun Young Lim

Clinicopathologic efficacy of copper bromide plus/yellow laser (578 nm with 511 nm) for treatment of melasma in Asian patients.

BACKGROUND Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder in Asians. Although the pathogenesis of melasma is not yet fully understood, there are several hypotheses supporting angiogenetic factors related to some types of melasma. OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy of copper bromide laser in the treatment of Korean women with melasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Clinical parameters included physician and patient assessment and Melasma Area and Severity Index score. The intensity of pigmentation and erythema was measured using a chromometer. To evaluate histopathologic changes, punch biopsies from melasma were obtained from four patients. Immunohistochemical staining for Melan‐A, endothelin 1, CD34, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antigen of the melasma lesions was observed. RESULTS Mean MASI score decreased dramatically after treatment. Patients exhibited telangiectatic erythema within the melasma lesion. The values of L* reflecting intensity of pigmentation increased, and the values of a* as the measurement of redness decreased after the treatments. Expression of Melan‐A, CD34, endothelin‐1, and VEGF decreased after treatment. CONCLUSION The potential application of an antiangiogenetic laser for the treatment of melasma specially accompanied by pronounced telangiectasia in Asian skin is a possible treatment option. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Distribution of Malassezia Species on the Scalp in Korean Seborrheic Dermatitis Patients

BACKGROUND Malassezia species play an important role in the pathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis. In particular, M. restricta and M. globosa are considered to be the predominant organisms in seborrheic dermatitis of Western countries. However, species distribution of Malassezia in seborrheic dermatitis has not been clearly determined yet in Asia. OBJECTIVE To identify the distribution of Malassezia species on the scalp of seborrheic dermatitis patients in Korea using 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis. METHODS A total of 40 seborrheic dermatitis patients and 100 normal healthy volunteers were included in this study. For the identification of Malassezia species, the scalp scales of the subjects were analyzed by 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis. RESULTS The most commonly identified Malassezia species were M. restricta in the seborrheic dermatitis patients, and M. globosa in the normal controls. In the seborrheic dermatitis group, M. restricta was identified in 47.5%, M. globosa in 27.5%, M. furfur in 7.5%, and M. sympodialis in 2.5% of patients. In the healthy control group, M. globosa was identified in 32.0%, M. restricta in 25.0%, M. furfur in 8.0%, M. obtusa in 6.0%, M. slooffiae in 6.0%, and M. sympodialis in 4.0% of subjects. CONCLUSION M. restricta is considered to be the most important Malassezia species in Korean seborrheic dermatitis patients.

Fractional photothermolysis laser treatment of male pattern hair loss.

BACKGROUND Various trials have been conducted on the management of male pattern hair loss (MPHL). A variety of laser and light sources have been used for the treatment of MPHL. OBJECTIVE To understand the effects of a 1,550‐nm fractional erbium‐glass laser on the hair cycle in an alopecia mouse model and to study the clinical effects of the same laser used as treatment for MPHL. MATERIALS AND METHODS Irradiation was applied to the shaved skin of C3H/HeN mice using various energy and density settings and varied irradiation intervals. In a clinical pilot study involving human subjects, 20 participants were treated over five sessions at 2‐week intervals. A fractional photothermolysis laser was used at the energy of 5 mJ and a total density of 300 spots/cm2. RESULTS In the animal study, the hair stimulation effects were dependent upon the energy level, density, and irradiation interval. The anagen conversion of hair and the increase in Wnt 5a, &bgr;‐catenin signals were observed. In the human pilot study, incremental improvements in hair density and growth rate were observed. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study showed that a 1,550‐nm fractional erbium‐glass laser might induce hair growth, but more intensive studies are required to clarify the clinical applications of this treatment. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Effects of vitamin C vs. multivitamin on melanogenesis: comparative study in vitro and in vivo

Background  Vitamin C has been used for the treatment of hyperpigmented diseases. However, there is no study available on hypopigmenting effect of multivitamin.

Successful Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Topical Calcipotriol

Alopecia areata (AA) is an inflammatory hair loss of unknown etiology. AA is chronic and relapsing, and no effective cure or preventive treatment has been established. Vitamin D was recently reported to be important in cutaneous immune modulation as well as calcium regulation and bone metabolism. It is well known that areata is common clinical finding in patients with vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D-resistant rickets, or vitamin D receptor (VDR) mutation. The biological actions of vitamin D3 derivatives include regulation of epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation and modulation of cytokine production. These effects might explain the efficacy of vitamin D3 derivatives for treating AA. In this study, we report a 7-year-old boy with reduced VDR expression in AA, recovery of whom was observed by topical application of calcipotriol, a strong vitamin D analog.

Leucine-rich glioma inactivated 3 induces neurite outgrowth through Akt and focal adhesion kinase.

Leucine-rich glioma inactivated 3 (LGI3) is a secreted protein that belongs to LGI/epitempin family. LGI3 is highly expressed in brain in a transcriptionally and developmentally regulated manner. Here we found that LGI3 induced neurite outgrowth in Neuro-2a cells and dorsal root ganglia explants. LGI3 treatment or overexpression increased neurite outgrowth and knockdown of LGI3 by siRNA had opposite effect. LGI3 treatment increased phosphorylation of Akt and a 125-kDa protein. Immunoprecipitation identified the 125-kDa protein as focal adhesion kinase (FAK). LGI3 overexpression increased phospho-Akt, phospho-FAK and FAK protein. Inhibition of Akt activation by PI3 kinase inhibitor attenuated LGI3-induced FAK phosphorylation and neurite outgrowth. Taken together, we propose that LGI3 is a neuritogenic factor whose signaling pathway involves Akt-mediated FAK activation.

Safety Evaluation of Stamp Type Digital Microneedle Devices in Hairless Mice

Background Microneedles provide a minimally invasive means to transport molecules into the skin. A number of specific strategies have been employed to use microneedles for transdermal delivery. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of two new digital microneedle devices (Digital Hand® and Digital Pro®; Bomtech Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) for the perforation of skin in skin-hairless-1 mice. This device replaces conventional needles and is designed specifically for intradermal delivery. Methods We used two newly developed digital microneedle devices to perforate the skin of skin-hairless-1 mice. We conducted a comparative study of the two digital microneedle devices and DTS® (Disk type-microneedle Therapy System; DTS lab., Seoul, Korea). To evaluate skin stability, we performed visual and dermatoscopic inspections, measurements of transepidermal water loss, and biopsies. Results The two novel digital microneedle devices did not induce significant abnormalities of the skin on visual or dermatoscopic inspection, regardless of needle size (0.25~2.0 mm). No significant histopathological changes, such as inflammatory cell infiltration, desquamation of the stratum corneum, or disruption of the basal layer, were observed. The digital microneedle devices and microneedle therapy system produced similar results on measures of skin stability. Conclusion These two novel digital microneedle devices are safe transdermal drug delivery systems.

Inhibitory Effect of Vitamin U (S-Methylmethionine Sulfonium Chloride) on Differentiation in 3T3-L1 Pre-adipocyte Cell Lines

Background S-methylmethionine sulfonium chloride was originally called vitamin U because of its inhibition of ulceration in the digestive system. Vitamin U is ubiquitously expressed in the tissues of flowering plants, and while there have been reports on its hypolipidemic effect, its precise function remains unknown. Objective This study was designed to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of vitamin U in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell lines. Methods We cultured the pre-adipocyte cell line 3T3L1 to overconfluency and then added fat differentiation-inducing media (dexamethasone, IBMX [isobutylmethylxanthine], insulin, indomethacin) and different concentrations (10, 50, 70, 90, 100 mM) of vitamin U. Then, we evaluated changes in the levels of triglycerides (TGs), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), adipocyte-specific markers (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ [PPAR-γ], CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α [C/EBP-α], adipocyte differentiation and determination factor 1 [ADD-1], adipsin, fatty acid synthase, lipoprotein lipase) and apoptosis-related signals (Bcl-2, Bax). Results There was a gradual decrease in the level of TGs, C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, adipsin, ADD-1 and GPDH activity with increasing concentrations of vitamin U. In contrast, we observed a significant increase in AMPK activity with increasing levels of vitamin U. The decrease in bcl-2 and increase in Bax observed with increasing concentrations of vitamin U in the media were not statistically significant. Conclusion This study suggests that vitamin U inhibits adipocyte differentiation via down-regulation of adipogenic factors and up-regulation of AMPK activity.

Berberine regulates melanin synthesis by activating PI3K/AKT, ERK and GSK3β in B16F10 melanoma cells

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has a wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cholesterol-lowering effects. Recently findings suggest that berberine improves glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. In the present study, we examined the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of berberine on α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. The results showed that berberine attenuated α-MSH induction of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of berberine, we examined the effect of α-MSH-stimulated phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT, ERK, and GSK3β. The results showed that treatment with berberine resulted in a reduction in the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT, ERK, and GSK3β. Taken together, the results suggested that berberine inhibits melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity by downregulating the expression of MITF and tyrosinase. Thus, these findings may contribute to the potential application of berberine in the prevention and treatment of skin pigmentation disorders.

Potential relationship between the canonical Wnt signalling pathway and expression of the vitamin D receptor in alopecia

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in dermal papilla cells and in the epidermis of the hair follicle. Patients with alopecia areata (AA) and alopecia universalis (AU) have VDR mutations.