Crude Coal Tar and Ultraviolet (UV) A radiation (Modified Goeckerman Technique) in Treatment of Psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that has a substantial impact on the quality of life. Goeckerman\u27s technique (GT) has been recruited for the treatment of psoriasis with high clearance rates and long periods of remission.Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that has a substantial impact on the quality of life. Goeckerman’s technique (GT) has been implemented for the treatment of psoriasis with high clearance rates and long periods of remission. The objective of this article was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified GT (crude coal tar 2.5% plus UVA) as an alternative therapeutic modality for psoriatic patients with skin types III-V. Twenty two patients with moderate, severe, and erythrodermic psoriasis were included in this study. All patients received modified GT (crude coal tar 2.5% plus UVA) six days per week for a period of 3 months. Assessment of the rate of reduction of psoriasis area severity index (PASI) was performed, as well as photographic documentation of each patient at baseline and after completion of therapy. There was a significant reduction in PASI scores after therapy in all patients (P=0.001). The rate of PASI reduction after therapy was &gt;50% in 63.6% of patients; 27.3% of patients achieved &gt;75% reduction and 9.1% of patients achieved 26-50% reduction. No serious side effects were reported in any of the patients. Modified GT is a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with moderate and severe psoriasis.</p

Expression of TNF-α, April and BCMA in Behcet’s Disease

Background. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is an important proinflammatory cytokine which plays an important role in the immunopathogenesis of Behcet’s disease (BD). B cell activating factor (BAFF) and its homolog A proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) are members of the tumor necrosis factor family. BAFF binds to 3 receptors, B cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R), transmembrane activator and calcium modulator ligand interactor (TACI), and B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) that are expressed by B cells. Objective. Estimation of the serum levels of TNF-α, APRIL, BAFF, and BCMA in patients with BD in an effort to evaluate their degree of involvement in the pathogenesis and development of BD. Patients and Methods. This study included 30 male patients fulfilling the international study group criteria for the diagnosis of BD. Twenty age-matched healthy male volunteers served as control. Serum samples were used for quantification of TNF-α, APRIL, BCMA, BAFF, and hsCRP using ELISA techniques. Results. The mean serum levels of TNF-α, APRIL, BCMA, and BAFF were more elevated in cases than in controls in a statistically significant manner (P<0.001). Positive correlation was observed between hs-CRP and BDCAF (Behcet’s disease current activity forum) index (r 0.68, P<0.001). None of the TNF family members tested was affected by a positive pathergy test. Conclusions. Patients have significantly higher levels of TNF family members’ (TNF-α, BAFF, APRIL, and BCMA) compared to controls which might contribute to the pathogenesis of BD

Analysis of oxidative stress status, catalase and catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphisms in Egyptian vitiligo patients.

Vitiligo is the most common depigmentation disorder of the skin. Oxidative stress is implicated as one of the probable events involved in vitiligo pathogenesis possibly contributing to melanocyte destruction. Evidence indicates that certain genes including those involved in oxidative stress and melanin synthesis are crucial for development of vitiligo. This study evaluates the oxidative stress status, the role of catalase (CAT) and catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms in the etiology of generalized vitiligo in Egyptians. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as well as CAT exon 9 T/C and COMT 158 G/A polymorphisms were determined in 89 patients and 90 age and sex-matched controls. Our results showed significantly lower TAC along with higher MDA levels in vitiligo patients compared with controls. Meanwhile, genotype and allele distributions of CAT and COMT polymorphisms in cases were not significantly different from those of controls. Moreover, we found no association between both polymorphisms and vitiligo susceptibility. In conclusion, the enhanced oxidative stress with the lack of association between CAT and COMT polymorphisms and susceptibility to vitiligo in our patients suggest that mutations in other genes related to the oxidative pathway might contribute to the etiology of generalized vitiligo in Egyptian population

Genotype and allele frequencies of CAT exon 9 T/C polymorphism in the vitiligo patients and controls and association with the risk of vitiligo.

<p>Data are reported as number with percent in parentheses.</p><p>*HWE =  Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, 95% CI: 95% confidence interval.</p

The frequency of the wild and combined genotypes of the COMT 158 G/A polymorphism among vitiligo patients and the association with risk of vitiligo.

<p>Data are reported as number with percent in parentheses. 95% CI: 95% confidence interval.</p>1<p>Early onset subgroup means vitiligo occurred before 20 years old and the late-onset subgroup means vitiligo occurred after 20 years old.</p

The frequency of the wild and combined genotypes of the T/C exon 9 polymorphism of CAT gene among vitiligo patients and the association with risk of vitiligo.

<p>Data are reported as number with percent in parentheses. 95% CI: 95% confidence interval.</p>1<p>Early onset subgroup means vitiligo occurred before 20 years old and the late-onset subgroup means vitiligo occurred after 20 years old.</p

Genotype and allele frequencies of COMT 158 G/A polymorphism among vitiligo patients and controls and association with the risk of vitiligo.

<p>Data are reported as number with percent in parentheses.</p><p>*HWE =  Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, 95% CI: 95% confidence interval.</p

Plasma TAC and MDA levels in vitiligo patients and controls.

<p>Data are presented as Mean (SD). TAC; total antioxidant capacity, MDA; malondialdehyde.</p