Archives of Dermatological Research最新文献

Skin photoaging, one of the most critical types of exogenous skin aging, occurs when the skin is exposed to excessive ultraviolet radiation, leading to a series of skin-aging problems. The objective of this study was to utilize keratinocytes (HaCaT) treated with medium wave ultraviolet (UVB) as a photoaging model to investigate the anti-photoaging activity of chlorogenic acid (CGA) and preliminarily elucidate its underlying mechanism. The crystal violet assay shows that both 100 and 150 µM of CGA can significantly suppress the cell damage induced by 21.6 mJ/cm² UVB. Furthermore, the results of comet electrophoresis and Western Blot (WB) experiments demonstrate that CGA and OSS-128,167 (SIRT6 inhibitor) can effectively inhibit DNA damage caused by UVB, thereby alleviating cell apoptosis. The co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) and WB results suggest that CGA and OSS-128,167 can effectively suppress the activity and expression of the deacetylase of SIRT6, thus enhancing the expression of DDB2 and activating the nucleotide excision repair (NER) of cells to achieve the anti-photoaging effect. The aforementioned results imply that CGA activates NER repair and protects cells from UVB-induced damage by inhibiting the deacetylation activity of SIRT6 and subsequently decreasing the deacetylation modification of DDB2. The study elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of CGA on skin photoaging and establishes a theoretical basis for the development of CGA based sunscreen formulations.

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer globally, with its prevalence increasing due to chronic ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. Although surgical excision remains the cornerstone of treatment, achieving optimal outcomes requires a careful balance between complete tumor removal and the preservation of cosmetic appearance. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between excision margins, reoperation rates, and BCC recurrence through a retrospective analysis of 3036 surgical excisions. Methods: Conducted at the Department of Plastic Surgery in Trieste, Italy, this study includes data from 2037 patients treated between 2014 and 2018. Excision procedures adhered to standardized hospital protocols. Tumor characteristics, excision margins, and involved anatomical sites were analyzed. Results: The study demonstrated an equal gender distribution (51.02% women), with the nodular subtype (45.85%) being the most common. The head was the most frequently affected site (54.74%). A complete excision rate of 93.3% was achieved, but incomplete excisions were more common in head and neck locations and certain histological subtypes. Surgical reinterventions were primarily performed for high-risk BCCs, significantly reducing recurrence rates (0.52%). Conclusion: Reoperation, especially for high-risk BCCs, should be prioritized over conservative management to minimize recurrence. Narrow excision margins were associated with higher recurrence rates, highlighting the importance of adequate margin clearance. This study enhances understanding of the complex interplay between excision techniques, reoperation, and long-term outcomes in BCC management.

Keloid is a fibroproliferative skin disorder characterized by fibroblast hyperproliferation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Astragalin (AST) is a bioactive natural flavonoid with multiple pharmacological properties. This study aims to investigate the effect of AST on keloid formation in vitro. Primary keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from human keloid tissues and normal skin tissues, respectively, and treated with or without AST. MTT, colony formation, and Transwell assays were utilized to evaluate AST’s effect on fibroblast proliferation, migration, and invasiveness. Western blotting was implemented for detecting protein levels of ECM components and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The results showed that AST treatment hindered the proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities of KFs and NFs, and KFs were more sensitive to AST than NFs. AST restrained ECM deposition and inactivated the MAPK signaling pathway in KFs and NFs. In conclusion, AST suppresses the invasive growth of keloid fibroblasts probably by inactivating MAPK signaling.

Striae distensae (SD), commonly known as stretch marks, are a common dermatological condition with challenging therapeutic interventions and varying outcomes. The current study aims to compare the clinical response, efficacy, side effects, and safety of microneedling (MN) with autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) versus MN with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treating abdominal stretch marks. Thirty patients (27 females and 3 males) with bilateral abdominal SD were underwent both MN with PRP and MN with PRF in a randomized split-abdomen design, with session performed every month for a total of three sessions. Clinical efficacy was assessed by two independent dermatologists using the Davey score, the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), measurement of the width of widest striae, and patient satisfaction score. Blinded evaluation was conducted by comparing pre- and post-treatment photographs. 3-mm punch biopsy specimens were taken from the same lesion sites pre-treatment and one month after the last session and were stained by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to subjectively assess histopathological changes and treatment efficacy. Both treatment modalities induced significant clinical improvement with PRF sides demonstrating superior results. However, when comparing both methods, no statistically significant difference was observed between them regarding Davey score, width of the widest striae, GAIS, and patient satisfaction. In conclusion: The combination of MN with PRF appears to be a promising therapeutic modality with better patient satisfaction compared to MN with PRP in the treatment of SD. Moreover, PRF is inexpensive, simple to produce and is made naturally without the need of biochemical additives.

Tirbanibulin is a topical medication approved in 2020 as a 5 day topical treatment for actinic keratosis, a precancerous skin lesion characterized by the hyperproliferation of atypical keratinocytes. Tirbanibulin exerts its effects through dual mechanisms: microtubule inhibition, which disrupts cell division, and Src kinase inhibition, which interferes with cancer-associated signaling pathways. Although its primary use is in AK, these mechanisms suggested potential therapeutic applications in a broader range of epithelial cancers. In this literature review, we explored tirbanibulin’s application in not only actinic keratosis, but also in squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. We addressed the relevant findings obtained in recent papers to evaluate tirbanibulin’s safety, efficacy, side effects, real-life clinical experiences, and its potential in anti-aging and skin lightening therapies on patients. In summary, we highlighted the preclinical and clinical evidence on the use of tirbanibulin as an effective and safe treatment option beyond AK.

Graphical Abstract

It is widely known that skin thickness decreases and fragility increases with aging. However, the relationship between sarcopenia, a condition commonly associated with frailty in older adults, and skin thickness remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of skin thinning in patients with sarcopenia and investigate the relationship between sarcopenia, age, and skin thickness. This cross-sectional study included 66 participants aged 40 to 80, comprising 20 individuals with pre-sarcopenia, 13 with sarcopenia, and 33 healthy controls. Total skin thickness (epidermal + dermal) was measured using ultrasound (US) at four anatomical regions: leg, hand, forearm, and upper arm. Leg and hand skin thicknesses were significantly lower in patients with pre-sarcopenia compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). Similarly, forearm and upper arm skin thicknesses were significantly lower in patients with sarcopenia compared to the control group (all p = 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, sex, and BMI, Sarcopenia remained significantly associated with reduced skin thickness across all regions (all p < 0.05). A moderate-to-high positive correlation exists between HGS and leg skin thickness (all p < 0.01). However, no significant relationships were found between skin thickness and age or sex. Sarcopenia is associated with skin thinning across all examined regions, independent of age, sex, or BMI. Skin thickness measurements may serve as a diagnostic marker for sarcopenia.

Vitiligo is a common skin disorder involving depigmentation. A 308-nm excimer laser and piperine were shown to be useful for the treatment of vitiligo. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 308-nm excimer laser combined with piperine in the treatment of vitiligo and the molecular mechanism by which this treatment promotes melanin synthesis through regulation of the paracrine activity of keratinocytes (KCs). In this study, cells and animals were treated with a 308-nm excimer laser and piperine. ELISA, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence and RT‒qPCR were used to measure the levels of proteins and genes, and EdU, Transwell, and flow cytometric assays were used to assess cell proliferation and apoptosis. Treatment with the 308-nm excimer laser combined with piperine promoted KCs secretion of cytokines related to melanin production, restrained the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, elevated the level of PTEN, decreased the level of PDK1, inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, and facilitated the phosphorylation of GSK3b. After coculture of melanocytes (MCs) with KCs supernatant, the proliferation and migration of MCs increased, the apoptosis of MCs decreased, and the expression of melanin synthesis-related genes increased. Moreover, compared with the 308-nm excimer laser or piperine alone, the combined treatment had a more significant effect. Moreover, inhibiting PTEN weakened the effect of the combined treatment. Animal experiments revealed that a 308-nm excimer laser combined with piperine had a therapeutic effect on vitiligo. After combined treatment, the number of CD8 + T cells decreased, and the PTEN/PDK1/GSK3b pathway was activated, which increased melanin synthesis and alleviated the progression of vitiligo. In conclusion, a 308-nm excimer laser combined with piperine regulates KCs paracrine activity through the PTEN/PDK1/GSK3b molecular axis, promotes MCs proliferation and melanin synthesis, and alleviates the progression of vitiligo, which provides new targets for the clinical treatment of vitiligo.

Acne vulgaris has a significant impact on an individual’s mental health and well-being. To investigate the impact of acne vulgaris on mental health of patients. This case-control study was conducted on 93 patients with acne vulgaris and 93 age- and sex- matched healthy volunteers as control group, using the standard Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, from November 2020 to March 2021. The depression score was significantly higher in acne sufferers, and was correlated with disease severity. On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between anxiety score and acne. It can also be seen that depression and anxiety are significantly more common in women and also in younger ages. This study pointed out the importance of evaluating depression signs in patients with acne vulgaris, which could have a significant effect on patients’ quality of life.