TRATTAMENTO ASSOCIATO UVB-DITRANOLO IN PAZIENTI CON PSORIASI A PLACCHE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the combination of ultraviolet B therapy and anthralin would result in a more rapid resolution of plaque-type psoriasis. Short-contact anthralin (0.5% in petrolatum) was used. Ultraviolet B irradiation was carried out 5 times a week with a bank of 8 Philips TL 40W/12 tubes (irradiance, 1 mW/cm2 30 cm). Out of the 14 patients studied, seven (group I) were given anthralin for 15 days before practicing UVB therapy and seven (group II) carried out phototherapy sessions for 15 days before the combination of both treatments. These results show both a more rapid clearance of psoriatic plaques and lower UVB total dose with anthralin pretreatment

Low-Frequency Sonophoresis: Application to the Transdermal Delivery of Macromolecules and Hydrophilic Drugs

Importance of the field: Transdermal delivery of macromolecules provides an attractive alternative route of drug administration when compared to oral delivery and hypodermic injection because of its ability to bypass the harsh gastrointestinal tract and deliver therapeutics non-invasively. However, the barrier properties of the skin only allow small, hydrophobic permeants to traverse the skin passively, greatly limiting the number of molecules that can be delivered via this route. The use of low-frequency ultrasound for the transdermal delivery of drugs, referred to as low-frequency sonophoresis (LFS), has been shown to increase skin permeability to a wide range of therapeutic compounds, including both hydrophilic molecules and macromolecules. Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of delivering proteins, hormones, vaccines, liposomes and other nanoparticles through LFS-treated skin. In vivo studies have also established that LFS can act as a physical immunization adjuvant. LFS technology is already clinically available for use with topical anesthetics, with other technologies currently under investigation. Areas covered in this review: This review provides an overview of mechanisms associated with LFS-mediated transdermal delivery, followed by an in-depth discussion of the current applications of LFS technology for the delivery of hydrophilic drugs and macromolecules, including its use in clinical applications. What the reader will gain: The reader will gain an insight into the field of LFS-mediated transdermal drug delivery, including how the use of this technology can improve on more traditional drug delivery methods. Take home message: Ultrasound technology has the potential to impact many more transdermal delivery platforms in the future due to its unique ability to enhance skin permeability in a controlled manner.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant EB-00351)Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (Grant DAAD-19-02-D-002

Comparative study of plasma levels of 8-methoxypsoralen. Effect of the pharmaceutical formulation and of diet

E' stato effettuato uno studio comparativo dei profili plasmatici di 8-metossipsoralene (8-MOP) somministrato per os nella forma cristallina in capsule e in forma liquida in soluzione idro-alcolica. I risultati ottenuti evidenziano che l'8-MOP in soluzione produce concentrazioni plasmatiche più alte, picchi più precoci e riproducibili nel tempo. L'impiego clinico di formulazioni in soluzione offrirebbe il vantaggio di poter praticare l'irradiazione UV-A dopo tempi più brevi e con dosi minori. L'importanza della dieta nell'influenzare la biodisponibilità del farmaco suggerisce la somministrazione in condizioni standard, preferibilmente a digiuno