Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology最新文献

Background: Recently, the use of natural products as skin photoprotective agents has been in increasing demand. This study investigated the bioactivity of phycocyanin (PC) extracted from Spirulina sp. on human skin fibroblast cell line (CCD-966SK), specifically focusing on apoptosis, necrosis, anti-inflammatory effects, and enzymatic reactions.

Methods: The first step of this study was cyanobacterial cell culture and the extraction and purification of PC. After that, CCD-966SK cell line was cultivated under normal and UV irradiation. The bioassays included the cytotoxicity measurement, cell viability assay, morphology determination, tumour necrosis factor-α and Interleukin 6 release assays, enzyme activity for superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase as well as malondialdehyde content and the cell-free extract of cyanobacterial stains were assessed.

Results: The cell viability results showed that as the concentration of the PC increased, the viability of CCD-966SK cell line was reduced, which suggested that the effect of PC on the growth of fibroblast cells was dose dependent. The morphological results indicated that presence of PC in the fibroblast cell culture medium led to a transformation in cell morphology from spindle-shaped to spherical. PC released anti-inflammatory IL-6 and TNF-a cytokines, indicating high inflammation resistance. Furthermore, the findings revealed that PC dramatically reduced the release of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde from inflammatory cells, with the reduction being more apparent at increasing doses.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the results indicated that PC inhibit the CCD-966SK cell line by membrane destructor, which led to the increase the leakage of cell constituent and increase enzymes activities.

Purpose: The diversity of skin diseases in patients with malignancies leads to diagnostic difficulties and complicate cancer treatment. Furthermore, the increasing use of chemotherapy drugs and novel treatment regimens raises the risk of the development of various cutaneous side effects and the need for dermatologists during cancer management. We investigated the skin diseases in patients with malignancies and the cutaneous side effects of cancer treatments.

Methods: Medical records of cancer patients evaluated in the Dermatology clinic between July 2018 and April 2023 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: This study included 872 cancer patients, 374 females and 498 males. Acute myeloid leukaemia was the most common malignancy, followed by multiple myeloma and invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Graft versus host disease was observed in 89 (10.2%) patients after stem cell transplantation and radiodermatitis developed in 16 (1.8%) patients. Maculopapular drug eruption and hand foot syndrome were the most common cutaneous side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Capecitabine was the most common etiologic agent in hand foot syndrome. Cellulitis was the most frequent bacterial infection in cancer patients, whereas herpes zoster was the most frequent viral infection. Among the chemotherapy drugs that caused acneiform drug eruption, cetuximab and cytarabine were notable. Facial erythema was associated with cytarabine use in 27.3% of patients.

Conclusion: Identifying the common skin diseases in cancer patients and cutaneous side effects due to chemotherapy drugs may help to take preventive measures, develop specific and effective treatments, determine the most appropriate cancer treatment options, and increase patients' compliance with cancer treatment.

Background: Lipid indices, particularly the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, are simple, reliable, non-insulin-based surrogate markers of insulin resistance that have recently gained prominence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of isotretinoin treatment on surrogate markers of insulin resistance, in particular the TyG index, in patients with acne vulgaris (AV).

Materials and methods: This retrospective study reviewed the records of 200 patients who received isotretinoin treatment for acne vulgaris at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology between September 2023 and March 2024. Serum fasting glucose, fasting lipid profile [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] and other biochemical parameters were recorded. Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index value was calculated with the formula Ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Pre-treatment values were compared with values after 5 months of treatment.

Results: TyG index and TG/HDL, TC/HDL, and LDL/HDL ratios all increased statistically significantly (p < 0.001). In addition, a positive correlation was found between pre- and post-treatment TyG index values and pre- and post-treatment TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and TG/HDL ratio values (p < 0.001). Among lipid measurements, triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL-C, LDL-C increased statistically significantly (p < 0.001), while HDL-C decreased statistically significantly (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that isotretinoin treatment may increase insulin resistance in AV patients by increasing surrogate biomarkers of insulin resistance. We also suggest that the TyG index and other lipid indices can be used in treatment follow-up.

Introduction: Melanoma is still one of the deadliest cancers whose prevalence has increased in recent decades. Today, many polysaccharides and their bioactive compounds have been of special importance in modern biotechnology. They have various biological and therapeutic properties. they can regulate and strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce bacterial and viral infections. According to studies, these compounds also have antitumor properties. we investigated the cytotoxic effects of β-Glucan obtained from solid-state fermentation (SSF) of edible medicinal mushroom Lentinus edodes on cancerous skin cells.

Materials and methods: The mitochondria were isolated from melanoma cells via differential centrifugation and treated with various concentrations (30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 240 µg/ml) of β-Glucan extract. Then, they were subjected to MTT, ROS, MMP decline, mitochondrial swelling, cytochrome c release, and flow cytometry assays.

Results: The results of the MTT assay showed that IC50 of β-Glucan extract was 60 μg/ml, and it induced a selectively significant (P < 0.05) concentration-dependent decrease in the SDH activity in cancerous skin mitochondria. At higher concentrations, no such effect was observed. The ROS results also showed that 30, 45, and 60 µg/ml concentrations of β-Glucan extract significantly increased ROS. However, no such effect was observed at higher concentrations. MMP decline and the release of cytochrome c in cancer groups mitochondria and swelling were significantly increased at 30, 45, and 60 µg/ml compared to the control group. At higher concentrations, no such effect was observed. β-Glucan extract at 60 µg/ml concentration increased apoptosis on melanoma cells, while it had no effect on control non-tumour cells.

Discussion and conclusion: Based on these results, β-Glucan extract at 30, 45, and 60 µg/ml showed a cytotoxic effect, while no such effect was observed at higher concentrations. Overall, it seems that β-Glucan has antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects on cancer cells at higher concentrations.

Introduction: The effect of isotretinoin on inflammatory markers has been reported with conflicting results. No studies have been reported on the relationship between isotretinoin and lymphocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] ratio (LHR), neutrophil/HDL-C ratio (NHR), or platelet/HDL-C ratio (PHR) in acne patients.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate how isotretinoin affects the inflammatory markers, including LHR, NHR, and PHR, in acne vulgaris patients.

Methods: A total of 361 patients with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris who received systemic isotretinoin for at least six months were included. Complete blood count and biochemical analyses, including monocyte/HDL-C ratio (MHR), NHR, LHR, PHR, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), obtained at the treatment onset and the end of the first, third, and sixth months of treatment were investigated.

Results: There was no significant difference in MHR and NHR levels between repeated measures. A significant increasing trend was seen in LHR and PHR (P = 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively). HDL-C levels gradually and significantly declined during the six months (P < 0.001). Serum NLR, derived NLR, SII, SIRI, MLR, and AISI showed a significant decrease in line with clinical improvement in acne during the six months of therapy (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Declining levels of NLR, MLR, SII, SIRI, and AISI may indicate the anti-inflammatory effects of isotretinoin on the pilosebaceous unit, whereas increasing levels of LHR and PHR may show systemic inflammatory activity of isotretinoin.

Purpose: To investigate the immediate impact of nicotine consumption on Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thickness in healthy young individuals, comparing nicotine gum and electronic cigarette (vaping) as delivery methods.

Materials and methods: Twenty participants underwent RNFL measurements at baseline, 30, and 60 minutes after consuming 4 mg of nicotine, based on product labeling and specifications. Measurements were obtained using optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Topcon 3D OCT-1 Maestro System). Nicotine was delivered through either nicotine gum or vaping.

Results: Both nicotine gum and vaping led to a statistically significant increase in RNFL thickness, with no significant difference between the two methods. The analysis revealed that area, time, and visit factors significantly affected RNFL scores. Stratification by smoking type (tobacco, vaping, dual) demonstrated significant effects for area, time, and visit factors, with an interaction effect among these factors.

Conclusions: The findings highlight the acute impact of nicotine intake on RNFL thickness in young healthy smokers. Researchers and clinicians should account for recent nicotine exposure when evaluating RNFL thickness, particularly within the first hour post-smoking. The observed significant effects warrant further research, especially in older or health-compromised populations, to improve clinical protocols and diagnostic evaluations across different demographics.

Aim: To determine the effects of the first-dose administration of the Sinovac vaccine on the retina, choroid, and optic disc in healthy participants.

Methods: This prospective design study was conducted with 27 healthy healthcare workers who received the first dose of Sinovac vaccine and 25 healthy controls who were not vaccinated. In the vaccinated group, ophthalmological examinations and measurements were performed before vaccination and one week and one month after vaccination. Subfoveal, nasal, and temporal choroidal thicknesses (CTs), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and macular thickness (MT) were determined using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography at all visits. Superficial, deep, and peripapillary radial capillary plexus (superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus (DCP), and radial peripapillary capillary, respectively), choriocapillaris vascular density, and foveal avascular zone parameters were measured on optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A).

Results: No significant difference was detected between the two groups in terms of the parameters measured by OCT and OCT-A (p > 0.05 for all). The CT values measured in all quadrants were significantly higher at the first week after vaccination (p < 0.05 for all), and they returned to their pre-vaccination values at the first month post-vaccination measurement (p > 0.05 for all). Concerning the RNFL and MT values, there was no significant difference between the pre-vaccination and post-vaccination first-week measurements (p > 0.05 for all), but a statistically significant increase was detected in the post-vaccination first-month MT and RNFL measurements (p < 0.05 for all). Only the decreases in the foveal DCP and choriocapillaris vascular density values were significant at the first week after vaccination (p < 0.05 for all).

Conclusion: The early changes detected after vaccination in this study suggest the possibility that autoimmune, vascular, and inflammatory diseases may simultaneously emerge in the early post-vaccination period or may be triggered after vaccination, or that the vaccine may unmask these diseases.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare choroidal vascular changes using the Choroidal Vascularity Index (CVI) between patients with inactive Thyroid Eye Disease (iTED) and healthy individuals, and to assess the relationship between CVI and choroidal thickness (CT), smoking history, and clinical parameters.

Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, the eyes of 30 patients aged 18 to 45 with iTED were compared with the randomly selected eyes of 35 age and gender-matched healthy control individuals. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were taken from all participants. The images were binarized using the ImageJ software, and the total choroidal area (TCA) and luminal area (LA) were measured. The ratio of the LA to the TCA was used to calculate the CVI. The relationships between these measurement parameters and clinical activity score (CAS), exophthalmometry, smoking status, and other clinical parameters were examined.

Results: In the iTED group, CT and CVI values were significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.029). No significant effect of smoking on choroidal parameters was detected in the iTED group. Additionally, there was no statistical correlation between choroidal parameters and either exophthalmometry or CAS (p > 0.05). In the multivariate regression analysis, it was determined that CT showed a significant relationship with thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) (p = 0.003).

Conclusions: This study found that CT and CVI were increased in the eyes of patients with iTED compared to healthy controls. The history of smoking did not appear to have any effect on CT and CVI in iTED patients.

Purpose: The clinical application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has significantly improved the prognosis of liver cancer patients. However, drug eruption associated with ICI monotherapy or combination therapy not only impacts the quality of life and treatment progress of liver cancer patients but also poses a potential threat to their lives. The study aims to investigate the risk factors of drug eruption in liver cancer patients undergoing ICIs in real-world settings.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data from liver cancer patients who underwent ICI therapies at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between 2021 and 2022. A propensity score matching (PSM) method was employed to match 31 liver cancer patients with ICI-related drug eruption (drug eruption group) to 228 liver cancer patients without immune-related adverse reactions (control group) in a 1:2 ratio, creating two groups of patients with comparable baseline characteristics. Subsequently, logistic regression analysis was then conducted to analyze the clinical risk factors associated with drug eruption caused by ICIs.

Results: Before PSM, there were statistically significant differences between the drug eruption group (31 cases) and the control group (228 cases) in two variables: Child-Pugh liver function classification and presence of vascular invasion (both p < 0.05). However, after PSM, no statistically significant differences were found in the clinical variables between the drug eruption group (28 cases) and the control group (52 cases). Univariate analysis revealed significantly higher levels of aspartate amino-transferase, alanine aminotransferase, glutamyl transpeptidase, and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and a significantly lower rate of liver cancer resection surgery before immunotherapy in liver cancer patients with drug eruption compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that an elevated SII level before immunotherapy was significantly associated with the occurrence of drug eruption in liver cancer patients treated with ICIs (p < 0.05). The predictive performance of SII before immunotherapy in liver cancer patients for ICI-related drug eruption yielded an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.852, with a critical value of 749.189. Sensitivity and specificity were determined as 85.7% and 75%, respectively (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Elevated systemic immune-inflammation index is identified as a risk factor for drug eruption occurrence in liver cancer patients treated with ICI therapies.