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Biomedical subjects

G M Fairris

Publications and source records attributed to G M Fairris.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

The effect of supplementation with selenium and vitamin E in psoriasis.

Since reduced concentrations of selenium in whole blood, plasma and white cells had previously been observed in psoriasis, 69 patients were supplemented daily with either 600 micrograms of selenium-enriched yeast, 600 micrograms of selenium-enriched yeast plus 600 IU of vitamin E or a placebo for 12 weeks. Before supplementation, the patients' mean concentrations of selenium in whole blood and plasma were reduced compared with those of matched healthy controls but their red cell glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was normal. After 12 weeks supplementation the patients' mean whole blood, plasma and platelet selenium concentrations, platelet GSH-Px activity and plasma vitamin E concentration had risen significantly from the baseline values but their mean skin selenium concentration and red cell GSH-Px activity remained unchanged. The mean white cell selenium concentration rose only in the group receiving selenium alone. Neither supplementation regimen reduced the severity of psoriasis or produced side-effects. The increase in platelet GSH-Px activity suggests that the supplements were bioavailable and that the patients' selenium status may have been reduced prior to supplementation. The failure of the selenium content of the skin to increase may explain why the patients' psoriasis remained unchanged during supplementation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The effect on atopic dermatitis of supplementation with selenium and vitamin E.

Reduced concentrations of selenium in whole blood, plasma and white cells and reduced activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase in red cells have been found in atopic dermatitis. To determine the effect of selenium supplementation on this disease, the normal daily diet of 60 adults with atopic dermatitis was supplemented with selenium-enriched yeast for 12 weeks in a randomised double-blind study. Group 1 took 600 micrograms of selenium alone, Group 2 600 micrograms of selenium plus 600 IU of vitamin E and Group 3 a placebo. After 12 weeks, there was a significant increase in the concentration of selenium in whole blood and the activity of selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase in platelets in Groups 1 and 2 and the concentration of vitamin E in plasma in Group 2. There was no significant difference between the three Groups in the severity of the eczema or the concentration of selenium either before or after the 12 weeks of supplementation. The results suggest that although selenium-enriched yeast supplement was absorbed and bioavailable it does not enter the skin or produces a worthwhile improvement in atopic dermatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Photodynamic therapy: a better treatment for widespread Bowen's disease.

We report here the use of photodynamic therapy to treat two patients with multiple lesions of Bowen's disease. A total of over 500 lesions were treated, less than 10% requiring two treatments, and at follow-up 6 months later no lesions remained in either patient. The only important side-effect of treatment was a marked photosensitivity reaction. We consider photodynamic therapy an efficient treatment for Bowen's disease; multiple lesions can be treated in a short treatment session, without local anaesthesia, and healing occurs within 2 weeks.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

The pharmacokinetics of selenium in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

The pharmacokinetics of [75Se-L]-selenomethionine was studied in 10 patients with psoriasis, 10 with atopic dermatitis and 10 healthy subjects. Values for the gut absorption and the rate of endogenous excretion of [75Se-L]-selenomethionine, the exchangeable total-body selenium and plasma selenium concentration showed no significant differences between either patient group and the controls. The results suggest that there is no gross abnormality of selenium pharmacokinetics in either disease, and fail to explain why previous studies have found reduced selenium concentrations and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Skin selenium content measured by hydride generation and atomic absorption spectroscopy.

The concentration of selenium in skin was measured using hydride generation and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The method used in this study was shown to be both accurate and precise, with mean recoveries of 92%-98% of added selenium and a within run relative standard deviation of better than 7% at a selenium concentration of less than 12 nmol/g dry tissue. The method is suitable for rapid analysis of large numbers of samples.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1985

Cimetidine's effect on dermal H1-receptor antagonist tolerance.

The effect of the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine upon H1-receptor antagonist tolerant histamine induced weal and flare responses was studied in nine healthy male subjects taking clemastine 1 mg orally twice a day. After 21 days clemastine therapy, the weal response became tolerant to clemastine but the flare response did not. Cimetidine, 400 mg, did not produce a significantly greater decrease in the area of the H1-receptor antagonist tolerant weal response than in the non-tolerant weal response. The results suggest that histamine mediated skin reactions may develop a tolerance to H1-receptor antagonist therapy that cannot be overcome by the addition of the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

A dermatosis associated with bacterial overgrowth in jejunal diverticula.

A patient is described with an unusual skin eruption associated with bacterial overgrowth in jejunal diverticula and malabsorption. The initial skin changes were frankly vasculitic with "target' lesions, whilst older lesions showed a psoriasiform scale and a tendency to central clearing. The illness was associated with raised levels of IgM and IgG containing circulating immune complexes and deposition of IgM and IgG in the dermis. It was suppressed by oral antibiotic therapy. There are similarities between the findings in this patient and those described in the intestinal bypass syndrome.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1985

Metastatic breast carcinoma on the lip: case report.

A case of breast carcinoma metastatic to the lip is reported. The lesion presented clinically as a kerato-acanthoma and histologically as a sweat gland tumour. Immunoperoxidase studies revealed its breast origin.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Small intestinal permeability in dermatological disease.

Passive small intestinal permeability was investigated in 62 patients with atopic eczema, 29 with psoriasis and 18 with dermatitis herpetiformis, using the cellobiose/mannitol differential sugar absorption test. Urinary recovery of cellobiose and mannitol in patients with both psoriasis and eczema were similar to values in a control population, and were not affected by the extent or activity of skin disease. The cellobiose/mannitol recovery ratio was abnormally high in seven patients with eczema, six of whom underwent jejunal biopsy. Jejunal mucosal morphology was normal in five, and one patient was found to have coeliac disease. Cellobiose/mannitol recovery ratio was also abnormal in seven patients with psoriasis, and in 11 with dermatitis herpetiformis, seven of whom had a normal jejunal biopsy. These findings demonstrate that the passive permeability of the small intestine is normal in the majority of patients with atopic eczema and psoriasis. Increased absorption of macromolecules from the gut lumen cannot be ascribed to defective intestinal integrity, and is unlikely to be relevant to the pathogenesis of eczema. Abnormal intestinal permeability may be a more sensitive manifestation of gluten-sensitive enteropathy than jejunal biopsy in dermatitis herpetiformis.

Adolescent↗