Search

Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death that maintains the homeostasis of the skin. Apoptotic cell death regulates keratinocyte proliferation and formation of stratum corneum as well. The process by which keratinocytes undergo apoptosis is a multistep program mediated by binding of specific death ligands to death receptors or by the release of effectors cell granules. Dysfunctional apoptosis has an important role in the development of several skin diseases. Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperproliferation with incomplete differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes and decreased keratinocyte apoptosis. Psoriatic keratinocytes possess an enhanced ability to resist apoptosis what might be one of the key pathogenetic mechanisms in psoriasis. In addition, psoriasis is nowadays also recognized as the most prevalent autoimmune disease resulting from aberrant activation of both, innate and adaptive immunity. However, the role of cell cytotoxicity mediated by cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (CTLs) and NK cells in psoriasis is as yet unclear. Here, we shall review the role of different apoptotic pathways in psoriasis.

This open, multicenter, comparative, randomized study included 120 subjects with papulopustular stage of acne vulgaris. Subjects were randomized to one of the three treatment groups (A, total dose 4.5 g of azithromycin in 7 weeks; B, total dose 6.0 g in 10 weeks; and C, total dose 7.5 g in 13 weeks). The aim was to identify the optimum azithromycin dose in the treatment of acne vulgaris through monitoring the efficacy and safety of three dosage regimens. Clinical efficacy was assessed upon completion of study therapy and six months of therapy initiation. Posttherapeutic efficacy assessment was available in 104 subjects. The difference between three treatment groups was most pronounced in the “cure” category (36.11% in group A, 58.82% in group B and 55.88% in group C) and “failure” category (8.33% in group A, and no failures in groups B and C). Follow up efficacy assessment was available in 87 subjects. The group percentage of “cure” was lower and group percentage of “treatment failure” higher in group A than in groups B and C. Azithromycin in a total dose of 6.0 g in 10 weeks seems to be a promising agent in the treatment of papulopustular acne vulgaris with few side effects and good patient compliance. Key words: acne vulgaris