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Biomedical subjects

B Morsches

Publications and source records attributed to B Morsches.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Soluble CD14 monocyte antigen in suction blister fluid and serum of patients with psoriasis.

The purpose of this study was to measure soluble CD14 (sCD14) molecules in the skin and in serum of patients with psoriasis. CD14 is a newly discovered cell surface marker on monocytes that is shed after cell activation. The following procedures were used: suction blisters were raised over the abdominal skin of 9 healthy control individuals and 8 patients with psoriasis. Serum of 17 healthy controls and 17 patients with psoriasis was collected. sCD14 was determined in suction blister fluid and serum by the ELISA technique. The clinical status of psoriasis was rated by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI score). We found that sCD14 levels in suction blisters of healthy skin (1,050 +/- 236 ng/ml, mean +/- SE) were similar to those of nonlesional psoriatic skin (841 +/- 113 ng/ml). By contrast, control serum contained 2,687 +/- 167 ng/ml, but psoriatic serum 4,059 +/- 388 ng/ml sCD14 (p = 0.001, Wilcoxon test). Linear-regression analysis revealed that serum sCD14 levels and the PASI score of patients did not correlate. We conclude that there is an abnormal monocyte stimulation in blood but not in nonlesional skin in psoriasis that is independent from the clinical status expressed by the PASI score.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Etretinate or cyclosporin-A treatment normalizes the enhanced respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in psoriasis.

During a therapeutic trial to treat psoriasis with either etretinate or cyclosporin A (CyA) we measured the respiratory burst activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Six patients received 0.5-0.75 mg/kg etretinate and 14 patients 2.5-5.0 mg/kg CyA over a period of 10 weeks. The extent of psoriasis was graded by the psoriasis area-and-severity index (PASI score). The respiratory burst of PMN isolated from the peripheral blood was measured employing luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence at weeks 0, 3 and 10 and compared with that of 26 healthy control individuals. PMN were stimulated with zymosan particles, aggregated immunoglobulin (aggIg) and concanavalin A (ConA). Both treatment regimens improved psoriasis; at 10 weeks there was an approximate 40% PASI score reduction under etretinate and an 80% improvement under CyA. Before treatment the respiratory burst was abnormally high under stimulation with the three stimuli in patients (p = 0.021 to less than 0.0001). After 3 to 10 weeks PMN activity normalized in all patients and even tended to drop below values correlating with an improvement in skin lesions. We conclude that the elevated respiratory burst of PMN in psoriasis normalizes under treatment with both etretinate and CyA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Impaired function of numerically augmented Fc-receptors on granulocytes in a HLA B8+ patient with palmoplantar pustulosis.

We examined granulocytes or polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in an HLA B8+ patient with palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). Controls included another patient with PPP, however, lacking this antigen and a healthy, HLA B8+ person. Chemiluminescence (CL) served to monitor the respiratory burst in PMN comparing as stimuli zymosan, opsonized zymosan, phorbol myristate acetate, as well as aggregated immunoglobulin (aggIg), the latter as Fc-receptor (FcR) stimulus. FcR density on PMN was determined using 125I-IgG and expressed in the form of Scatchard plots. The effects of serum on the aggIg-induced CL were also measured. We found both control individuals to respond to stimulation by aggIg as a function of a dose-dependent increase of CL. By contrast, the HLA B8+ patient with PPP failed to respond to aggIg; only the highest concentration of aggIg induced marginal CL. Conversely, stimulation by the other agents was similar in all three individuals. The patient with the functional FcR defect expressed 2.5 times more FcR/PMN than the controls. No difference emerged in comparing autologous serum with a reference normal serum on the aggIg-induced CL, ruling out saturation by serum factors alone to be a cause for the defect. In remission, the functional FcR was absent. Our results suggest a defect of signal transduction in PMN from numerically enhanced FcR to the cytosol in the patient with PPP.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Stimulation of T cells by autologous mononuclear leukocytes and epidermal cells in psoriasis.

Based on reports suggesting aberrant cell-mediated immunity and altered infiltration of immunocompetent cells into the skin in psoriasis, we studied the stimulation of T cells by autologous non-T mononuclear leukocytes (autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction, AMLR) and by epidermal cells isolated from lesional and clinically uninvolved skin in psoriasis (autologous mixed epidermal cell lymphocyte reaction, AMECLR). Age- and sex-matched individuals served as controls. We found that the AMLR in psoriasis (n = 11) was similar to that in healthy controls (n = 16); furthermore, cell proliferation was alike in the presence of either 5% AB-serum or autologous serum. By contrast, while the AMECLR in healthy controls (n = 9) resembled that in psoriatics employing epidermal cells from univolved skin, epidermal cells from lesional sites (n = 10) induced a significantly higher proliferation of autologous T cells in the AMECLR (P less than 0.01). We conclude that the in vitro stimulation of T cells by non-T mononuclear leukocytes is normal in psoriasis and is not regulated by autologous serum. Lesional psoriatic epidermal cells, however, are more active in stimulating autologous T cell proliferation than cells from univolved psoriatic or normal epidermis.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Augmented glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and normal penetration and metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone in mononuclear leukocytes in psoriasis.

The aim of the study was to determine a biochemical basis for the augmented oxidative metabolism found in mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) of patients with active psoriasis. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is known to inhibit glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH). We determined the activity of G-6-PDH as well as the penetration and metabolism of DHEA - diminished plasma concentrations of which have been found in psoriatics previously - in 16 patients with active psoriasis and 16 controls. MNL in patients with psoriasis possessed 52% more (p less than 0.05) G-6-PDH activity, based on cell number, and 34% more (p less than 0.05) activity, based on soluble protein. No difference in DHEA penetration and metabolism in MNL was found between psoriatics and controls, in contrast with previous findings of reduced penetration and increased reduction in erythrocytes of psoriatics. We conclude that the enhanced G-6-PDH activity in MNL of patients with active psoriasis is not due to altered DHEA penetration or metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Suppression of phagocyte function by seminal plasma: possible predisposition for AIDS].

A pathogenic retrovirus (HTLV-III) has recently been isolated in the seminal plasma (SP) of patients with AIDS. In order to test whether SP may influence non-specific immunity we compared the influence of SP on the phagocytic release of lysozyme, chemotaxis and chemiluminescence. SP inhibited the release of lysozyme from granulocytes in a log-linear fashion; incubation with undiluted SP resulted in about 50% inhibition. Chemotaxis of granulocytes remained stable under the influence of SP. Chemiluminescence of both granulocytes and monocytes was completely blocked by undiluted SP; 1000-fold dilutions still caused an inhibition of about 20%. The separation of SP by column chromatography yielded fractions with a molecular weight of 10(4) to 2 X 10(4), 10(5) to 4 X 10(5) and greater than 10(6) inhibiting chemiluminescence. A cell-free chemiluminescent system showed the reduction of chemiluminescence to be based to a large extent on quenching of the photons generated. Our results indicate that SP possesses potent properties that suppress non-specific immunity, possibly an important predisposing factor to AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

[Plasma androgen levels in female acne patients].

In 30 female patients suffering from acne vulgaris and 32 female controls, we determined the plasma levels of androstenedione, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The average rates of all three androgens were significantly increased in acne. But only the dihydrotestosterone rate showed a clear separation from the individual values of the two collectives. These findings suggest increased synthesis of dihydrotestosterone within the skin of patients with acne vulgaris.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1985

[Changes in the chemoluminescence behavior of micro- and macrophages in psoriasis: more than just an epiphenomenon?].

Based on previous in vitro examinations, we compared different stimuli eliciting a "respiratory burst" in phagocytes of patients with psoriasis and controls. - Measurements were performed be chemiluminescence (CL). - The results show similar CL in resting phagocytes. Upon stimulation, psoriatic macrophages display augmented CL with aggregated immunoglobulin (aggIg), zymosan (Z), and opsonized zymosan (C3b), macrophages with aggIg, Z, phorbol myristate acetate, and concanavalin A. - The capability for increased phagocytic CL in psoriasis may be modulated by different cell membrane receptors. Changes in the metabolism of arachidonic acid analogous to those encountered in psoriatic epidermis may be responsible for the augmented CL in psoriasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on phagocytic functions.

Although a number of skin diseases are characterized by the presence of an increased number of phagocytes in their lesions, the effects of alcohol on phagocytic functions are not clearly understood. Therefore, we measured the influence of ethanol and acetaldehyde on the generation of oxygen radicals, chemotaxis and the release of lysosomal enzymes from human phagocytes. We added 0.03%-3% ethanol and 0.005%-0.25% acetaldehyde to cell cultures. We found that both ethanol and acetaldehyde suppressed the generation of oxygen radicals from granulocytes and monocytes; the ID50 was achieved at concentrations of approximately 0.25% for ethanol and 0.03% for acetaldehyde. A significant inhibition of granulocyte chemotaxis was first noted with 0.063% ethanol and 0.016% acetaldehyde. Ethanol and acetaldehyde inhibited the release of the lysozyme of monocytes at concentrations of greater than 0.75% and greater than 0.03% respectively, but granulocytes were unaffected; the release of beta-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase remained stable. Due to the high volatility of the agents, especially acetaldehyde, under the experimental procedures employed, the actual concentrations of the agents were probably lower and similar to those measured in vivo. Our results indicate that defined phagocytic functions are strongly inhibited by concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde which are associated with moderate to severe inebriation.

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed1982

[Improvement in the longitudinal growth in Ullrich-Turner syndrome with oxandrolone. Function of urinary excretion of steroid hormones].

Urinary excretion of steroid hormone metabolites pregnandiol, pregnantriol, aetiocholanolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androsterone of 20 patients with Turner's syndrome was measured by gas chromatography. In some of the patients urinary excretion did not reach the minimal value obtained in a control group. Sixteen of these patients were given an average daily dose of 0.1 mg oxandrolone/kg body-weight. Mean value for bone age, after an average treatment duration of 17.3 months (s = 9.7), increased by 12.6 months (s = 12.7). Growth rate was 5.9 cm (s = 1.9) per year. Androsterone and dehydroepiandrosterone excretion in patients in whom the chronological age/bone age ratio had worsened, was more than double that in patients in whom it had improved. Measurement of the urinary excretion of dehydroepiandrosterone and androsterone thus seems to be of prognostic value in the treatment of Turner's syndrome with androgens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Steroid hormone receptors in human melanoma.

Human melanomas were investigated for the presence of high-affinity estrogen-, gestagen-, and glucocorticoid-binding proteins. A statistically significant difference was found for mean estrogen receptor (ER) concentrations in melanomas of male versus female origin: female origin 37.6 (0-107) fmol/mg protein, male origin 3.9 (0-8.3) fmol/mg protein. No significant difference between sexes was found for gestragen receptors: 41.5 (0-194) fmol/mg protein for melanomas of female origin versus 99 (0-362) fmol/mg protein for male. Sucrose density gradient analyses revealed specific binding for both receptor types in the 4-5 S region as well as in the 8 S region. The binding affinities were in the same order of magnitude as reported for receptors found in typical steroid target organs. No significant difference in receptor values depending on sex was found for the glucocorticoid receptor: 19.2 (0-43) fmol/mg protein.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗
PubMed1982

[Studies on the percutaneous absorption of benzoyl peroxide (author's transl)].

The percutaneous penetration and the metabolism of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) were assessed in vitro on human skin and in vivo on 5 patients with leg ulcers. The BPO in vitro absorbed by the skin was converted to benzoic acid preferably in the dermis. The portion penetrated through the skin was benzoic acid only. Also in patients treated with BPO, no BPO could be detected in the serum. These findings show that BPO as such is absorbed by the skin, but is systemically absorbed only after the metabolisation to benzoic acid. Therefore a systemic-toxic effect in local therapy with BPO can be excluded.

Benzoyl Peroxide↗
PubMed1981

[Psoriasis and haemodialysis: changes in plasma hormone concentration as a possible therapeutic mechanism (author's transl)].

Free dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulphate, testosterone, LH and FSH were measured in plasma from 67 patients with renal disease before and after haemodialysis or haemofiltration. Plasma concentration of the steroid hormones was lower in patients with renal failure than in normal controls, while that of the gonadotrophic hormones was elevated. After haemodialysis or haemofiltration DHEA sulphate level in plasma decreased, free DHEA increased significantly reaching almost the initial value of the control group. There was no change in concentration of the other steroid and gonadotrophic hormones. The likely mechanism is that haemodialysis removes DHEA deficiency in patients with psoriasis which is assumed to be an aetiopathogenetic factor in the disease.

Dehydroepiandrosterone↗
PubMed1981

[Pruritus and bile acids. Determination of sulfalithoglycocholate and glycocholate in suction blister fluid and in serum (author's transl)].

Until now is not clear, whether bile acids play a role in hepatogenic pruritus in patients with cholestasis. A correlation between serum levels and itching does not exist, and therefore an accumulation of bile acids in the skin was made responsible for the etiology of pruritus. However, this could not be proved in skin homogenisates whereas bile acids were found accumulated in the surface lipids of the skin. For this reason, the investigations presented here deal with the determination of glycocholate and sulfalithoglycocholate in suction blister fluid and in serum. The levels of these bile acids were remarkably lower in the fluid of the subepidermally located blisters than in the serum. No significant difference was found between the group of patients with pruritus and cholestasis and the group without cholestasis. These results show that an accumulation of bile acids in the skin does not exist. A correlation between bile acids in the skin and pruritus cannot be proved.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Effects of long-term use of mesterolone on different urine metabolites in andrological patients (author's transl)].

We studied whether long-term use of mesterolone (12 weeks and longer) changed the pattern of steroid metabolites in urine from male subjects. We noticed an increase in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels from 211-4 +/- 130.5 ug/die to 9943.8 +/- 6564.7 ug/die in the urine of all subjects tested. This increase was significant. After mesterolone administration was discontinued, DHEA levels decreased to their initial value. DHEA levels showed the smallest increase in those subjects having high plasma FSH levels. Perhaps the delta 4 pathway of testosterone synthesis may be preferred in these three subjects. We suppose that mesterolone has a blocking effect on the delta 5 pathway of testosterone synthesis. DHEA from the DHEA-pool can be used for testosterone synthesis and mesterolone seems to block some enzymes in the synthetic pathway. We were not able to detect a decrease in plasma testosterone levels during mesterolone use because of technical problems. Moreover, our patients told us that they felt ill after discontinuing mesterolone use; it may be possible that there is a psychotropic DHEA-effect during mesterolone use.

Adult↗