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Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The present study emphasizes the importance of documenting ethnomedicinal plants and herbal practices of the local rural communities of Tehsil Hajira (Pakistan). The aim...
The present study emphasizes the importance of documenting ethnomedicinal plants and herbal practices of the local rural communities of Tehsil Hajira (Pakistan). The aim was to document, explore and quantify the traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using various quantitative indices. The results showed that 144 medicinal plant species from 70 families and 128 genera play an important role in herbal preparations. The most common type of preparation was powder (19.0%), followed by paste (16.7%), aqueous extract (15.7%), decoction (14.7%) and juice (11.0%). (0.94) and (0.93) had the highest relative frequency of mention (RFC), while (1.22) and (1.18) had the highest use value (UV). (85.5), (83) and (71.5) were the most important species in the study area with the highest relative importance (RI) value. The diseases treated were categorized into 17 classes, with diseases of the digestive system and liver having the highest Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) value, followed by diseases of the oropharynx and musculoskeletal system. Important plants mentioned for the treatment of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are , , , , and . New applications of rarely documented plants from this area are: paste of the whole plant to treat vitiligo, flowers to treat chicken pox, tuber powder to treat productive cough, root decoction to treat miscarriage, tuber juice for the treatment of fever, leaves and flowers for the treatment of sore throat and root and leaf juice for the treatment of pneumonia. These plants may contain interesting biochemical compounds and should be subjected to further pharmacological studies to develop new drugs. Traditional medicinal knowledge in the area under study is mainly limited to the elderly, traditional healers and midwives. Therefore, resource conservation strategies and future pharmacological studies are strongly recommended.
PubMed: 38794449
DOI: 10.3390/plants13101379 -
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii Apr 2024Vitiligo is an acquired disorder characterized by the progressive loss of functional melanocytes, resulting in depigmented macules and patches on the skin. It affects a...
INTRODUCTION
Vitiligo is an acquired disorder characterized by the progressive loss of functional melanocytes, resulting in depigmented macules and patches on the skin. It affects a significant portion of the world's population, with no specific gender or geographic predilection.
AIM
To explore the current understanding of the association between vitiligo and COVID-19.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This is a cross-sectional comparative research of 90 vitiligo patients, separated into two groups: those with COVID-19 confirmed by PCR and those without, gathered in 2018 before the pandemic. Al-Sadar teaching hospital in Al Basra gathered data from March 2021 to May 2022. Vitiligo patients with other infections were excluded. Wood's test was used to confirm vitiligo (VASI score). Age, gender, site of vitiligo, number of lesions, and family history were gathered for all patients in both groups.
RESULTS
Patients with vitiligo and COVID-19 had mild (70.27%), moderate (18.92%), and severe (10.81%) infections. Significant differences were found in age, duration, and VASI score, with younger patients and lower VASI scores in the Vitiligo + COVID-19 group. Females (60.6%) were more affected, and lower limbs (66.7%) were the most common site of vitiligo lesions in COVID-19 patients.
CONCLUSIONS
70.27% of vitiligo and COVID-19 patients had mild infections, 18.92% had moderate infections, and 10.81% had severe infections. Patients with both disorders were younger, had shorter vitiligo durations, and lower VASI scores than those with just one. Females were more likely to have both disorders, and lower limb vitiligo was more prevalent. Family history did not affect either group.
PubMed: 38784935
DOI: 10.5114/ada.2024.138670 -
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii Apr 2024Vitiligo is an immune-related skin disease. Cytokines regulate immune response and inflammation and are involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
INTRODUCTION
Vitiligo is an immune-related skin disease. Cytokines regulate immune response and inflammation and are involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
AIM
To assess the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines pre- and post- systemic glucocorticoid treatment in patients with active vitiligo.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We measured serum cytokine levels using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 31 patients with active vitiligo before and after treatment. All patients received systemic glucocorticoid (compound betamethasone injection) in combination with topical halometasone cream and tacrolimus ointment for 3 months. Twenty healthy controls were also examined. The cytokines measured included TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-17, IL-10, IL-8, and CXCL10.
RESULTS
The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-17, IL-8, and CXCL10 were significantly higher, and levels of IL-10 were lower in vitiligo patients compared to controls. Additionally, serum IFN-γ ( = 0.378; = 0.036), IL-17 ( = 0.426; = 0.017), and CXCL10 ( = 0.514; = 0.003) showed a positive correlation with affected body surface area in vitiligo patients. After 3 months of systemic glucocorticoid treatment, the levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-17, and CXCL10 in responders were significantly decreased and nearly restored to normal levels. The IL-10 level was also increased in response to treatment. In contrast, the non-responder group had persistently high IL-6, IL-17, IL-8, and CXCL10 levels, and negligible changes in TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-10.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicated that the levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly ameliorated in the glucocorticoid responder group. Altered cell-mediated immunity may contribute to the resistance in vitiligo. The cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ and IL-2 could serve as therapeutic targets for managing glucocorticoid-resistant vitiligo.
PubMed: 38784928
DOI: 10.5114/ada.2024.138672 -
Cureus Apr 2024Objectives Vitiligo is a widespread cutaneous disorder. The present study aims to evaluate the epidemiologic profile of vitiligo and investigate its different clinical...
Objectives Vitiligo is a widespread cutaneous disorder. The present study aims to evaluate the epidemiologic profile of vitiligo and investigate its different clinical forms, disease activity, hereditary associations, triggering factors, and probable association with other diseases. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted over one year, from 2019 to 2020, and included 120 cases demonstrating definite clinical evidence of vitiligo. All selected patients underwent a detailed medical history interview. Specific enquiries were made regarding precipitating factors, clinical features of the disease, histories of other autoimmune diseases, and family histories. Thorough clinical, laboratory, and cutaneous examinations were performed on all patients. Descriptive statistical methods and diagrams were used to summarise the data. Results The age at presentation (31 patients, 25.8%) and the onset of the disease (32 patients, 26.6%) was predominantly in the second decade of life. The condition was usually progressive, with vitiligo vulgaris being the most prevalent type (56 cases, 46.7%). Disease onset (37 individuals, 30.8%) and the prevalence of lesions were higher in the lower leg. Body surface area involvement was ≤1% in 72 (60.0%) patients. Itching and trauma were the typical initiating factors. Leukotrichia in 38 (31.7%) cases, Koebner's phenomena in 23 (19.1%) cases, and a positive family history in 26 (21.7%) cases were observed. Thyroid dysfunction, hypertension, and various skin conditions are associated with the disease. Conclusion Vitiligo is more common in the young population. The condition is often progressive, with vitiligo vulgaris being the most common type. Itching and trauma are frequent initiating factors. Monitoring patients for associated diseases may be crucial for diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
PubMed: 38784306
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58804 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Skin tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells are produced by antigenic stimulation and remain in the skin for a long time without entering the peripheral circulation. In... (Review)
Review
Skin tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells are produced by antigenic stimulation and remain in the skin for a long time without entering the peripheral circulation. In the healthy state Trm cells can play a patrolling and surveillance role, but in the disease state Trm cells differentiate into various phenotypes associated with different diseases, exhibit different localizations, and consequently have local protective or pathogenic roles, such as disease recurrence in vitiligo and maintenance of immune homeostasis in melanoma. The most common surface marker of Trm cells is CD69/CD103. However, the plasticity of tissue-resident memory T cells after colonization remains somewhat uncertain. This ambiguity is largely due to the variation in the functionality and ultimate destination of Trm cells produced from memory cells differentiated from diverse precursors. Notably, the presence of Trm cells is not stationary across numerous non-lymphoid tissues, most notably in the skin. These cells may reenter the blood and distant tissue sites during the recall response, revealing the recycling and migration potential of the Trm cell progeny. This review focuses on the origin and function of skin Trm cells, and provides new insights into the role of skin Trm cells in the treatment of autoimmune skin diseases, infectious skin diseases, and tumors.
Topics: Humans; Homeostasis; Memory T Cells; Immunologic Memory; Skin; Cell Plasticity; Animals; Skin Diseases; Antigens, CD
PubMed: 38779662
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1378359 -
Clinical and Translational Medicine May 2024Melanocyte stem cells (MSCs), melanocyte lineage-specific skin stem cells derived from the neural crest, are observed in the mammalian hair follicle, the epidermis or... (Review)
Review
Melanocyte stem cells (MSCs), melanocyte lineage-specific skin stem cells derived from the neural crest, are observed in the mammalian hair follicle, the epidermis or the sweat gland. MSCs differentiate into mature melanin-producing melanocytes, which confer skin and hair pigmentation and uphold vital skin functions. In controlling and coordinating the homeostasis, repair and regeneration of skin tissue, MSCs play a vital role. Decreased numbers or impaired functions of MSCs are closely associated with the development and therapy of many skin conditions, such as hair graying, vitiligo, wound healing and melanoma. With the advancement of stem cell technology, the relevant features of MSCs have been further elaborated. In this review, we provide an exhaustive overview of cutaneous MSCs and highlight the latest advances in MSC research. A better understanding of the biological characteristics and micro-environmental regulatory mechanisms of MSCs will help to improve clinical applications in regenerative medicine, skin pigmentation disorders and cancer therapy. KEY POINTS: This review provides a concise summary of the origin, biological characteristics, homeostatic maintenance and therapeutic potential of cutaneous MSCs. The role and potential application value of MSCs in skin pigmentation disorders are discussed. The significance of single-cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR-Cas9 technology and practical models in MSCs research is highlighted.
Topics: Humans; Melanocytes; Homeostasis; Skin; Stem Cells; Animals; Cell Differentiation
PubMed: 38778457
DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1720 -
Archives of Dermatological Research May 2024
Meta-Analysis
Topics: Vitiligo; Humans; Treatment Outcome; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
PubMed: 38775972
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-024-02920-6 -
Archives of Dermatological Research May 2024Many individuals with vitiligo are uncertain about their skin cancer risk, phototherapy risks, and recommended sun protective practices. This study examined the...
Many individuals with vitiligo are uncertain about their skin cancer risk, phototherapy risks, and recommended sun protective practices. This study examined the perceived skin cancer risk and sun protective practices among individuals living with vitiligo. A secondary objective was to understand where participants obtain this information. This was a prospective cross-sectional study. An online survey was distributed to vitiligo support group leaders globally who shared the survey with their members. Individuals over the age of 18 and with vitiligo were included. There were 209 survey respondents, the majority were between the ages 35-54 (45.5%, n = 95), female (70.8%, n = 148), White (66.0%, n = 138). Nearly half of respondents believed they were at increased risk of skin cancer because of their vitiligo (45.5%, n = 95) and nearly a quarter (22.5%, n = 47) believed that phototherapy increased their risk of skin cancer. Having vitiligo affected sun protective practices with less than a quarter (24.4%, n = 51) of respondents using sunscreen daily or often prior to their vitiligo diagnosis in comparison to the majority of respondents (60.3%, n = 126) using it after their vitiligo diagnosis. The three most common sources where patients obtained information were the internet and social media (46.4%, n = 97), vitiligo support groups (23.4%, n = 49), and dermatologists (20.6%, n = 43). Despite evidence indicating a decreased risk of skin cancer in individuals with vitiligo and supporting the safety of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy, many participants believed they were at an increased risk of skin cancer. Findings were sub-stratified and showed differences in sunscreen usage based on gender, skin color, and percent depigmentation. This study also found nearly half of respondents obtained information related to vitiligo from the internet and social media. The number of participants may limit the generalizability of the findings. Survey questionnaires are also subject to response bias. The findings from this study highlight demographic variations in sunscreen usage which may help guide the development of targeted interventions to improve sun protective behaviors among diverse populations with vitiligo. In addition, this study suggests certain sun protective practices and skin cancer risk perceptions may vary based on extent of depigmentation. Lastly, this study also demonstrates the internet and social media as a popular source for obtaining information, emphasizing the need for dermatologists to leverage various online communication channels to help disseminate accurate information.
Topics: Humans; Vitiligo; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Male; Skin Neoplasms; Adult; Prospective Studies; Middle Aged; Sunscreening Agents; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Aged; Sunburn; Risk Factors; Sunlight
PubMed: 38775848
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-024-02942-0 -
Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira... 2024Cellular and humoral immunity plays a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. T lymphocytes and natural killer cells involved in cellular immunity carry out their...
OBJECTIVE
Cellular and humoral immunity plays a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. T lymphocytes and natural killer cells involved in cellular immunity carry out their cytotoxic activities through perforin/granzyme-dependent granule exocytosis, in which granulysin and cathepsin-L are also involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of serum granulysin and cathepsin-L in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo and their association with disease activity and severity.
METHODS
This randomized, prospective case-control study was conducted with 46 vitiligo patients admitted to the hospital for vitiligo between January and November 2021 and 46 healthy volunteers of similar age and gender. Serum levels of granulysin and cathepsin-L were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.
RESULTS
The mean serum levels of granulysin and cathepsin-L were statistically significantly higher in vitiligo patients compared with the control group (p=0.048 and p=0.024, respectively). There was no statistically significant correlation between serum granulysin and serum cathepsin-L levels and disease severity in the patient group (r=0.30, p=0.062 and r=0.268, p=0.071, respectively). Disease activity also showed no significant association with serum granulysin and cathepsin-L levels (p=0.986 and p=0.962, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Although granulysin and cathepsin-L are molecules involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, the use of these molecules may not be helpful in assessing disease activity and severity. It may be helpful to conduct comprehensive and prospective studies to find new molecules to fill the gap in this area.
Topics: Humans; Vitiligo; Female; Male; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; Adult; Case-Control Studies; Prospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Cathepsin L; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Adolescent; Biomarkers
PubMed: 38775500
DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20231107 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024To date, an increasing number of epidemiological evidence has pointed to potential relationships between Parkinson's disease (PD) and various autoimmune diseases (AIDs),...
BACKGROUND
To date, an increasing number of epidemiological evidence has pointed to potential relationships between Parkinson's disease (PD) and various autoimmune diseases (AIDs), however, no definitive conclusions has been drawn about whether PD is causally related to AIDs risk.
METHODS
By employing summary statistics from the latest and most extensive genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal associations between PD and a variety of 17 AIDs, encompassing multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, myasthenia gravis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, type 1 diabetes, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis and vitiligo. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) was adopted as the main statistical approach to obtain the causal estimates of PD on different AIDs, supplemented by a series of complementary analyses (weighted median, MR Egger regression, and MR-PRESSO) for further strengthening the robustness of results.
RESULTS
Our MR findings suggested that genetically predicted higher liability to PD was causally associated with a decreased risk of irritable bowel syndrome (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-0.99; = 0.032). On the contrary, IVW analysis showed a potential positive correlation between genetically determined PD and the incidence of type 1 diabetes (OR = 1.10; 95%CI: 1.02-1.19; = 0.010). Subsequent MR tests ended up in similar results, confirming our findings were reliable. Additionally, in the reverse MR analyses, we did not identify any evidence to support the causal relationship of genetic predisposition to AIDs with PD susceptibility.
CONCLUSION
In general, a bifunctional role that PD exerted on the risk of developing AIDs was detected in our studies, both protecting against irritable bowel syndrome occurrence and raising the incidence of type 1 diabetes. Future studies, including population-based observational studies and molecular experiments and , are warranted to validate the results of our MR analyses and refine the underlying pathological mechanisms involved in PD-AIDs associations.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Autoimmune Diseases; Genome-Wide Association Study; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
PubMed: 38774879
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1370831