Journal of

Background and Aim: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease which is specific for skin and mucosal membranes. Its association with connective tissue diseases has already been reported. Considering this association, presence of Anti Nuclear Antibodies (ANAs) in PV patients will not be surprising. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of ANA positive cases in patients suffering PV with a control group.
Methods: In this case-control study, the cases were selected from the patients with PV whom were hospitalized at Razi Hospital, Tehran. The controls were chosen from patients who did not have PV. The data were collected using a questionnaire, which was designed for gathering information on participants' age, sex, PV phenotypes, and the result of ANA test. ANA positivity was assessed using indirect immunofluorescence, HEP2.
Results: In 8 (26.7%) of 30 PV patients and 3 (10.0%) of 30 controls ANA was positive (P=0.095). The most common ANA positive patterns among cases and controls were homogeneous and speckled patterns, respectively (P=0.26).
Conclusion: Although in this study the frequency of positive ANA result among controls was similar to what were reported in previous studies, the frequency of this finding among PV patients was different from the previous reports. Differences in the sensitivity of the laboratory kits used in different studies as well as in the threshold for ANA positivity, and differences in the patients' eligibility criteria in different studies may explain the observed discrepancies. Clinical follow up of the PV and requesting an ANA test in the case of appearance of the signs of connective tissue diseases is recommended.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a solution derived from whole blood that is enriched in the platelet fraction. Platelets serve as a reservoir of growth factors and cytokines. When platelets are activated in vivo, signaling molecules are released into the immediate microenvironment and activate receptors for various pathways. PRP has been applied to bedsores to promote healing. Over the last decade, it has been used as a valuable therapeutic method in various specialties such as maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine. Only recently has PRP been utilized for dermatologic purposes, psrticularly, for the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss.

In this review, we discuss molecular and cellular pathways up-regulated by PRP important in hair folliculogenesis, and examine clinical evidence from all previously published studies involving the use of PRP for pattern hair loss.

Background and Aim: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is caused by an inflammatory process stimulated by Th2 cells. Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is associated with an increase in sebum secretion, unusual pilosebaceous keratinization and an increased inflammatory immune response. Propionibacterium acne can induce IL-17 production and Th1/Th17 response. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in patients with acne.

Methods: In this case-control study, the case group consisted of 75 individuals with acne and the control group consisted of 75 individuals without acne matched in age and gender. Both groups were interviewed for atopic dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms in the past and present. 

Results: Prevalence of atopic dermatitis at present in patients who had acne was significantly lower than those who did not have acne. There was no significant difference between case and control groups in frequency of atopic dermatitis in the past and frequency of asthma and allergic rhinitis in the present and past time.

Conclusion: The inverse relationship between prevalence of acne and atopic dermatitis can be related to activation of different immune responses (Th1 versus Th2), but more studies should be done to confirm this relationship.

Background and Aim: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease of hair follicle. Osteopontin is an early T lymphocyte activator that may play a role in some immunological diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum level of osteopontin in patients with alopecia areata and compare it with the level in normal subjects.
 

Methods: 54 patients with alopecia areata who presented to the Razi Hospital in Tehran in 2017 and 2018 were enrolled. Half of the patients had severe disease and half of them had mild disease. Also, 52 healthy subjects were selected as control group (age and sex matched). The severity of disease was determined using SALT Score. Serum osteopontin levels were measured by ELISA method.
 

Results: The results showed that serum osteopontin levels were significantly higher in patients with alopecia areata than healthy subjects. There was no significant relationship between osteopontin level and SALT score or duration of the disease.
 

Conclusion: The level of osteopontin is higher in AA patients than normal subjects but it does not correlate with the severity of disease.