Sangho Oh

Induction of metallothionein (a Zn-binding protein) was investigated in liver and kidneys of rats under the following stresses: cold environment, hot environment, heat burn, strenuous exercise, and CCl4 intoxication. As markers of metallothionein (MT) synthesis, [14C]cystine and 65Zn were injected parenterally into rats, and MT in liver and kidney supernatants was separated on Sephadex G-75 columns. Among stresses tested, the greatest stimulations of MT synthesis in liver were observed under col

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmentation disorder caused by the loss of melanocytes. Despite the numerous treatment modalities available for vitiligo, responses to treatment are still unsatisfactory. For this reason, new treatment modalities and approaches are needed. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of fractional carbon dioxide (CO(2) ) laser therapy followed by systemic narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy on nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) as a prospective and rand

Autophagy regulates cellular turnover by disassembling unnecessary or dysfunctional constituents. Recent studies demonstrated that autophagy and its regulators play a wide variety of roles in melanocyte biology. Activation of autophagy is known to induce melanogenesis and regulate melanosome biogenesis in melanocytes. Also, autophagy induction was reported to regulate physiologic skin color via melanosome degradation, although the downstream effectors are not yet clarified. To determine the role

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is linked with development or aggravation of many degenerative processes or disorders, including aging and atherosclerosis. AGEs production in skin cells is known to promote stiffness and loss of elasticity through their buildup in connective tissue. However, the impact of AGEs has yet to be fully explored in melanocytes. In this study, we confirmed the existence of receptor for AGE (RAGE) in melanocytes in western blot and immunofluorescenc

We suggest that the FPS may provide a new treatment algorithm in some cases with acne scars and enlarged pores. Considering the lack of placebo-controlled, split-face design of our study, optimized, prospective studies should be conducted to fully assess the efficacy of FPS with dynamic operating mode.

BACKGROUND: Segmental vitiligo (SV), which frequently accompanies poliosis, indicating a poor prognosis that is likely resistant to treatments. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the treatment response to 308 nm excimer laser in SV patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart and photographic review was performed on 80 SV patients who had been treated with 308nm excimer laser for >3 months. RESULTS: Eighty patients with SV (mean age: 24.0 years ± 15.3, males

BACKGROUND: Several treatment modalities using laser devices have been used for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars with various therapeutic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the efficacy and safety of 1064-nm Q-switched (QS) Nd:YAG laser with low fluence on keloids and hypertrophic scars. METHODS: Keloids and hypertrophic scars located at 21 anatomic sites in 12 Korean patients (10 men and 2 women; mean age 23.8 years, range 21-33) were treated using 106

External stimuli (e.g. oxidative stress and ultraviolet irradiation) may trigger HMGB1 release by keratinocytes, thereby perpetuating vitiligo through HMGB1-induced melanocytic apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Type I interferon (IFN) has been reported to have an important role in the development of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A new subset of CD4+ T cells, T helper (Th)17 cells, also plays a role in the development of autoimmunity. AIM: To investigate expression of interleukin (IL)-17 and IFN-α in different CLE subsets, and their associations with the pathogenesis of LE. METHODS: Skin tissue samples from 33 cases, including chronic discoid LE

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND; Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) presents a diagnostic problem in Behçet's disease (BD), particularly when it occurs as the only or earliest feature of the disease. To date, there have been only a few reports studying the differences in characteristics between RAS and BD. AIM: To examine the clinical differences between RAS and BD using a large group of patients. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out, analysing demographic data, the clinical features of the o

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme induced in response to multiple mitogenic and inflammatory stimuli, including UV light. UV-induced COX-2 expression induces production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in keratinocytes, which mediates inflammation and cell proliferation. Until recently, studies regarding COX-2 and PGE2 in the skin have focused on keratinocytes and skin cancer and the effect of PGs produced by keratinocytes on melanocytes. However, the effects of COX-2 itself or COX-2 inhibitors on