elastin and Erythema

Various treatment modalities have been applied to treat striae alba (SA) with low satisfaction rate. Fractional microneedling radiofrequency (FMR) provides deep dermal coagulation, thereby inducing collagen synthesis and tissue tightening. The addition of platelet-derived lyophilized growth factors may add to the effect of FMR.. To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of FMR alone or combined with lyophilized growth factors in the treatment of SA.. In this left-right comparative study, 25 patients suffering from SA on the abdomen received four sessions of FMR with lyophilized growth factors on one side and with saline (as placebo) on the other side at 4 weeks interval. Photographic and biopsy documentation of the progress of the SA was carried out before the start of the treatment and 4 weeks after the last session. Calculation of the width of SA before treatment and after 4 sessions was done by Adobe Photoshop CS6.. There was a significant improvement in SA width after treatment in both the lyophilized growth factors (P = <.0001) and placebo sides (P = <.0001), the lyophilized growth factors being superior (P = .002). Patient satisfaction was more on the lyophilized growth factors (LGF) side (P = .034). Erythema and hyperpigmentation were less on the lyophilized growth factors side. Histopathologically, both showed improvement with no difference between LGF and placebo (epidermal thickness (P = .456), collagen content (P = .297), elastin content (P = .239)).. The combination of FMR and lyophilized growth factors improves SA outcome.

Topics: Elastin; Erythema; Humans; Needles; Patient Satisfaction; Radiofrequency Ablation; Striae Distensae; Treatment Outcome

Ablative fractional lasers can effectively treat acne scars and enlarged pores, but cause considerable pain and downtime for patients, as well as potentially causing postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), especially in Asian skin.. To evaluate the efficacy of a novel bipolar radiofrequency (RF)-based fractional device to treat acne scars and enlarged pores in Asians with objective measurements and histologic assessments.. Thirty-one Korean patients with acne scars and enlarged pores received 4 consecutive fractional RF treatments at 3-week intervals. Outcome assessments included photography, global evaluation by investigators in a blind manner, patient assessment, objective biophysical measurements of elasticity and color, and histological changes compared with untreated lesions.. Follow-up assessments by physicians 3 months after the last treatment revealed that patients showed clinical improvement. Patient self-assessments paralleled physicians' assessments. Objective biophysical measurements showed significant improvements in elasticity (R2, R5, and R7) and the melanin/erythema index, together with increases in the levels of procollagen Types I and III, as well as elastin. There were no cases of PIH, and adverse events were limited to mild ones.. Fractional bipolar RF provides clinical efficacy with safety in acne scars and enlarged pores through dermal matrix remodeling combined with tolerable epidermal ablation.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adult; Asian People; Cicatrix; Collagen Type I; Collagen Type II; Dose Fractionation, Radiation; Elasticity; Elastin; Erythema; Face; Female; Humans; Male; Patient Satisfaction; Pigmentation; Radio Waves; Radiofrequency Therapy; Republic of Korea; Single-Blind Method; Skin; Young Adult

Laser is one of the main tools for skin resurfacing. Erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) was the second ablative laser, after carbon dioxide, emitting wavelength of 2940 nm. Fractional laser resurfacing has been developed to overcome the drawbacks of ablative lasers.. We aimed to objectively evaluate the histopathological and immunohistochemical effects of Er:YAG 2940-nm laser for facial rejuvenation (multiple sessions of fractional vs single session of ablative Er:YAG laser).. Facial resurfacing with single-session ablative Er:YAG laser was performed on 6 volunteers. Another 6 were resurfaced using fractional Er:YAG laser (4 sessions). Histopathological (hematoxylin-eosin, orcein, Masson trichrome, and picrosirius red stains) and immunohistochemical assessment for skin biopsy specimens were done before laser resurfacing and after 1 and 6 months. Histometry for epidermal thickness and quantitative assessment for neocollagen formation; collagen I, III, and VII; elastin; and tropoelastin were done for all skin biopsy specimens.. Both lasers resulted in increased epidermal thickness. Dermal collagen showed increased neocollagen formation with increased concentration of collagen types I, III, and VII. Dermal elastic tissue studies revealed decreased elastin whereas tropoelastin concentration increased after laser resurfacing. Neither laser showed significant difference between their effects clinically and on dermal collagen. Changes in epidermal thickness, elastin, and tropoelastin were significantly more marked after ablative laser.. The small number of patients is a limitation, yet the results show significant improvement.. Multiple sessions of fractional laser have comparable effects to a single session of ablative Er:YAG laser on dermal collagen but ablative laser has more effect on elastic tissue and epidermis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Collagen Type I; Collagen Type III; Collagen Type VII; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; Elastin; Erythema; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Laser Therapy; Lasers, Solid-State; Male; Middle Aged; Rejuvenation; Skin; Tropoelastin

Elastic fibers are essential extracellular matrix macromolecules comprising an elastin core surrounded by fibrillin-rich microfibrils. Fibulin-5, a microfibril, has been identified as one of the secreted extracellular matrix proteins that shows function as a scaffold for elastic fibers. However, the distribution of fibulin-5 in the skin is not clear. We report a case of a 43-year-old woman with erythema and subsequent wrinkling that met the clinical and histological criteria for mid-dermal elastolysis. We investigate the mechanism by which this disease occurs. The distribution of elastin, CD68, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and fibulin-5 was examined immunohistochemically from both erythematous and wrinkled skin. There were numerous CD68 and MMP-9-producing histiocytes and giant cells in the erythematous lesions. Faint fibrillar staining of fibulin-5 was found in the deep dermis. In the wrinkled skin, there were few CD68 histiocytes or giant cells. Elastin immunoreactivity disappeared from the mid-dermis. Fibulin-5 colocalized in the lower dermis, shorter than in the erythema. Mid-dermal elastolysis may be initiated by MMP-9 produced by histiocytes and giant cells through its degradation of elastic fibers. In the lower dermis of the wrinkled skin, the fragmented expression of fibulin-5 was associated with the incomplete reproduction of the elastic fibers.

Topics: Adult; Antigens, CD; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; Dermis; Elastic Tissue; Elasticity; Elastin; Erythema; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Female; Histiocytes; Humans; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9

A 15-year-old Japanese girl had widespread annular serpiginous erythematous plaques, bilateral granulomatous uveitis, bloody diarrhea, and seronegative arthralgia. She also had anemia and leukopenia. The histopathologic findings were compatible with those of annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma. Elastolytic granulomas were also found in the cervical lymph nodes, terminal ileum, parietal peritoneum, and mesentery. Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, hypercalcemia, and an increased level of angiotensin converting enzyme were not observed throughout the clinical course. To the best of our knowledge, systemic elastolytic granulomatosis has not been previously described in annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma or sarcoidosis. This case may represent a type of granulomatosis in the broad spectrum of annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma and sarcoidosis.

Topics: Adolescent; Elastin; Erythema; Female; Granuloma Annulare; Granuloma, Giant Cell; Humans; Intestinal Diseases; Lymphatic Diseases; Neck; Sarcoidosis; Uveitis