Allergic contact dermatitis from nickel with unusual localization.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D Schena.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Twenty adult patients affected by atopic dermatitis (AD) were submitted to the p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) test in order to evaluate the proteolytic pancreatic function. All but one showed a normal PABA test. These results seem to exclude a proteolytic maldigestion as a pathogenetic factor in AD.
Cation transport systems and lipid composition of erythrocyte membrane were studied in 27 psoriatic patients and in 34 healthy individuals. Whereas intracellular Na and K content, Na- and K-passive permeability and Li-Na countertransport of psoriatics did not show any statistical difference from normals, the Na/K ATPase pump activity was significantly higher and Na-K cotransport was significantly lower. Membrane lipid composition of psoriatics was different from normals: an increase in arachidonic acid and in unsaturated (poly- and total unsaturated) fatty acid content was found. A positive correlation was demonstrated between unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio and Na/K ATPase pump activity. These results demonstrate an alteration of erythrocyte Na/K ATPase pump and Na-K cotransport in psoriasis. These alterations of cation transport are associated with a perturbation of membrane fatty acid composition which appears a widespread phenomenon in cells of psoriatic patients.
Passive intestinal permeability was measured in 15 adult patients with atopic eczema. Values in the patients did not differ significantly from those in 12 healthy control subjects. These results suggest that altered intestinal permeability is not important in the pathogenesis of atopic eczema in adults.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Evidence exists of platelet activation and increased thromboxane B2 production in psoriasis. In 13 patients suffering from psoriasis, we determined the lipid composition of erythrocyte membrane, erythrocyte and platelet glutathione peroxidase activity (E-GSH-Px; Plt-GSH-Px), platelet MDA production and bleeding time. Compared with normal controls, psoriatics showed a significant increase in erythrocyte membrane arachidonic acid (AA) (p less than 0.001) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (p less than 0.001), platelet MDA production (p less than 0.01) and E- and Plt-GSH-Px activity (p less than 0.01; p less than 0.01). After 8 weeks of fish-oil supplementation (20 ml/day) we observed the following changes: a) marked amelioration of skin lesions; b) normalization of membrane lipid pattern and platelet MDA production; c) a further increase in E- and Plt-GSH-Px activity (p less than 0.01; p less than 0.01); d) significant prolongation of bleeding time (p less than 0.05). Our data demonstrate: 1) a generalized perturbation of membrane lipid pattern in psoriasis, characterized by an excess of AA; 2) an activation of AA metabolism in platelets suggested by increased MDA production and GSH-Px activity; 3) dietary fish-oil may normalize membrane lipid pattern and reduce platelet hyperactivity in psoriasis.
25 patients with chronic urticaria suspected to be of 'alimentary origin', were studied for a quantitative or qualitative deficiency of pancreatic enzyme secretion. All showed a normal fecal chymotrypsin excretion and 23/25 a normal bentiromide (PABA) and pancreolauryl test. In 2 females the urinary PABA and pancreolauryl tests were borderline pathological. This does not support the hypothesis that a pancreatic deficiency (of the kind which could be identified with the methods used) is associated with chronic urticaria in patients in whom improvement of urticaria occurs under a hydric or low antigenic diet.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.