scholarly journals Elevated Glucocorticoid Receptor Concentrations before and after Glucocorticoid Therapy in Peripheral Mononuclear Leukocytes of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Dermatology ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 183 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rupprecht ◽  
R. Rupprecht ◽  
J. Kornhuber ◽  
N. Wodarz ◽  
H.U. Koch ◽  
...  
2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Leibovici ◽  
Florella Magora ◽  
Sarale Cohen ◽  
Arieh Ingber

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.


2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Bravo-Monsalvo ◽  
Juan Vázquez-Chagoyán ◽  
Lilia Gutiérrez ◽  
Héctor Sumano

The aim of this trial was to assess the clinical efficacy of neural therapy (NT) when treating canine atopic dermatitis. Eighteen dogs (no control group), with at least a 12-month history of having nonseasonal atopic dermatitis, were included. No medication with either glucocorticoids or cyclosporin was allowed during the trial. One set of NT was given by injecting an intravenous dose of 0.1 mg/kg of a 0.7% procaine solution, followed by 10 to 25 intradermal injections of the same solution in a volume of 0.1–0.3 mL per site. Dogs were given 6–13 sets of NT during the therapy. The dermatological condition of each patient was evaluated before and after the treatment using two scales: the pruritus visual analogue scale (PVAS) and the canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI). The reduction of pruritus was statistically significant using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test (P < 0.001). No adverse side effects were observed. NT seems to be an effective alternative to control signs related to canine atopic dermatitis.


Blood ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1198-1202
Author(s):  
GF Shipman ◽  
CD Bloomfield ◽  
KA Smith ◽  
BA Peterson ◽  
A Munck

Measurement of glucocorticoid receptors appears to be useful for selecting which patients with leukemia and lymphoma should receive glucocorticoid therapy. To determine the effect of recent or concurrent glucocorticoid therapy on the number of measured tumor glucocorticoid receptor sites, 18 patients with leukemia and lymphoma were studied. Baseline determinations of numbers of glucocorticoid receptors were performed on the malignant cells circulating in the patients' peripheral blood. Glucocorticoid therapy was then instituted consisting of dexamethasone 4 mg p.o. every 6 hr. Repeat determinations of the number of glucocorticoid receptor sites were performed within 24 hr and at various subsequent times from the start of therapy. When compared to baseline receptor numbers, 16 of 18 patients demonstrated a decrease in receptor number (median decrease 1651 sites/cell) after the start of glucocorticoid therapy. The magnitude of the change in receptor number was independent on the initial number of receptors. Our results suggest that in order accurately interpret glucocorticoid receptor numbers in patients with leukemia and lymphoma, glucocorticoid should not be administered for 3 wk prior to determinations of receptor levels.


1992 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirotoshi Tanaka ◽  
Hideto Akama ◽  
Yoichi Ichikawa ◽  
Mitsuo Homma ◽  
Isao Makino

We have measured the glucocorticoid receptor concentration in mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, both of which were isolated from peripheral blood from ten healthy male volunteers. In parallel, the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on 3-O-methyl-D-glucose uptake was assayed in the corresponding mononuclear leukocytes. The glucocorticoid receptor levels in mononuclear leukocytes correlated with those in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and there was a linear relationship between the cellular glucocorticoid receptor levels and glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of the uptake of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose in mononuclear leukocytes. When mononuclear leukocytes were incubated in the presence of 8-bromo-cAMP, cellular glucocorticoid receptor levels increased and a more pronounced inhibitory effect of dexamethasone was observed on the transport of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose. We conclude that the cellular glucocorticoid receptor levels in peripheral blood leukocytes reflect in vitro responsiveness to glucocorticoids in mononuclear leukocytes from healthy males, and that the individual responsiveness may alter upon changes in the cellular levels of glucocorticoid receptor.


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