Urinary biomarker of oxidative stress in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis

The skin is permanently exposed to physical, chemical, and biological aggression by the environment. In addition, acute and chronic inflammatory events taking place in the skin are accompanied by abnormal release of pro-oxidative mediators. In this paper, we will briefly overview the homeostatic systems active in the skin to maintain the redox balance and also to counteract abnormal oxidative stress. We will concentrate on the evidence that a local and/or systemic redox dysregulation accompanies the chronic inflammatory disorder events associated to psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis. We will also discuss the fact that several well-established treatments for the therapy of chronic inflammatory skin disorders are based on the application of strong physical or chemical oxidants onto the skin, indicating that, in selected conditions, a further increase of the oxidative imbalance may lead to a beneficial outcome.

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Urinary biomarker of oxidative stress correlating with outcome in critically septic patients

Intensive Care Medicine ◽

10.1007/s00134-007-0778-9 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 33 (8) ◽

pp. 1473-1473 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Wei-Erh Cheng ◽

Chuen-Ming Shih ◽

Liang-Wen Hang ◽

Kuen-Yuh Wu ◽

Hsin-Ling Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Urinary Biomarker

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Effects of Virtual Reality Immersion and Audiovisual Distraction Techniques for Patients with Pruritus

Pain Research and Management ◽

10.1155/2009/178751 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 283-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Vera Leibovici ◽

Florella Magora ◽

Sarale Cohen ◽

Arieh Ingber

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Psoriasis Vulgaris ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Computer Game ◽

Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽

Before And After ◽

Chronic Pruritus ◽

Subjective Reports ◽

Advanced Computer

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality immersion (VRI), an advanced computer-generated technique, decreased subjective reports of pain in experimental and procedural medical therapies. Furthermore, VRI significantly reduced pain-related brain activity as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Resemblance between anatomical and neuroendocrine pathways of pain and pruritus may prove VRI to be a suitable adjunct for basic and clinical studies of the complex aspects of pruritus.OBJECTIVES: To compare effects of VRI with audiovisual distraction (AVD) techniques for attenuation of pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris.METHODS: Twenty-four patients suffering from chronic pruritus – 16 due to atopic dermatitis and eight due to psoriasis vulgaris – were randomly assigned to play an interactive computer game using a special visor or a computer screen. Pruritus intensity was self-rated before, during and 10 min after exposure using a visual analogue scale ranging from 0 to 10. The interviewer rated observed scratching on a three-point scale during each distraction program.RESULTS: Student’sttests were significant for reduction of pruritus intensity before and during VRI and AVD (P=0.0002 and P=0.01, respectively) and were significant only between ratings before and after VRI (P=0.017). Scratching was mostly absent or mild during both programs.CONCLUSIONS: VRI and AVD techniques demonstrated the ability to diminish itching sensations temporarily. Further studies on the immediate and late effects of interactive computer distraction techniques to interrupt itching episodes will open potential paths for future pruritus research.

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