Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Litoux

Publications and source records attributed to P Litoux.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Changes in cutaneous zinc during skin aging].

Variations of epidermal zinc concentration with aging were studied by measuring zinc levels in the epidermis of two groups of healthy subjects: group A aged less than 35 years; group B aged more than 65 years. The epidermis was obtained from a suction blister, and zinc levels measurements were performed by absorption spectrophotometry. There was a significant decrease (p less than 0.01) of epidermal zinc concentration with aging, and zinc contents of the epidermis were the same in men and women. On the other hand, no significant difference was found in zinc blister fluid levels between the two groups, confirming the absence of relationship between plasma zinc and epidermal zinc. The decrease of epidermal zinc concentrations observed in elderly subjects might be due to a decrease of enzyme activities in the epidermis induced by aging; conversely, a low epidermal zinc level might induce, by itself, a fall in enzyme activities. Thus, zinc might play an important role in the development of alterations in keratinocytes with aging.

Adult↗

[Cardiovascular manifestations associated with interferon alfa-2A].

Interferon-alpha is currently prescribed for many viral and neoplastic diseases; however, its side effects are poorly known. In this study, cardiovascular manifestations were specifically evaluated in 138 patients given interferon-alpha 2a for various dermatological diseases between 1987 and 1990. These patients were subjected to an indepth cardiovascular examination before the initiation of therapy and were monitored regularly throughout the treatment period. Six cardiac manifestations (4.3%) were observed, among which one unreported complete atrioventricular block. These side effects occurred at low doses (3-12 x 10(6) IU) in patients whose mean age was 63 years; 5 of the 6 patients had had previous cardiovascular incidents. These events seem to be independent of the cumulated dose. These findings draw attention to the cardiovascular side effects of interferon-alpha and advise prudence in high-risk patients.

Adult↗

Epidermal interleukin 1 in normal skin of patients with HIV infection.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) in the epidermis plays an important role together with Langerhans cells in the activation of the T cells. To determine whether IL-1 could be located in the normal epidermis of 54 patients with HIV infection and related to the stage of the disease, an indirect immunofluorescence technique was used. Intense epidermal fluorescence to IL-1 was noted in the asymptomatic stage II of the disease, whereas there was minimal reactivity in the other stages.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

MY7 monoclonal antibody for diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Infiltrate in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) is composed mainly of CD4 helper cells with a phenotype very similar to that of benign cutaneous lymphoid infiltrate. MY7 (CD13) is a monoclonal antibody that is normally expressed on peripheral granulocytes and monocytes but also cross-reacts with an antigen expressed on epidermal basal cells. We studied MY7 expression on basal cells of the epidermis and CD4 cell infiltrate in 34 CTCLs, 11 pseudolymphomas, and 29 other benign cutaneous lesions. An indirect immunofluorescence technique with double labeling and an immunoperoxidase technique were used. We found that in benign inflammatory infiltrate, less than 10% of CD4 cells expressed MY7 antigen associated with normal MY7 monoclonal antibody labeling of basal cells, whereas in CTCLs more than 50% of CD4 tumoral cells in dermis expressed MY7 antigens; however, basal cells were MY7 negative. Thus, it is demonstrated that MY7 monoclonal antibody with its double modulation on epidermis (basal cells) and dermis (CD4 cells) has diagnostic value for differentiating CTCLs with CD4+ MY7+ tumor cells in dermis and MY7-negative basal cells from benign inflammatory lesions with CD4+ MY7- cells in dermis and MY7-positive basal cells. This modulation of MY7 labeling could be related to the secretion of epidermal cytokines.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Low doses of zinc gluconate for inflammatory acne.

The effect of zinc on acne is unclear. In this study, only patients with an inflammatory acne were included in a double-blind trial using low doses of zinc gluconate (200 mg/day, corresponding to 30 mg zinc metal). We obtained a significantly different result between zinc and placebo groups in the inflammatory score (p less than 0.02). This efficiency could be explained by the action of zinc on inflammatory cells, especially granulocytes.

Acne Vulgaris↗