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Antimalarials are widely used for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. However, their mechanisms of action have not been fully elucidated. Literature data indicate that matrix metalloproteinases may play a role in the immune response and tissue damage that occur in autoimmune skin diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 3 months of chloroquine treatment on serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The study group consisted of 25 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 25 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. Before drug administration, serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The same procedure was performed after chloroquine treatment. We found significantly higher median serum levels of MMP-9 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus before therapy (57.20 ng/ml) when compared with controls (44.50 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). After chloroquine therapy the median MMP-9 serum level of systemic lupus erythematosus patients decreased significantly (43 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Before treatment the median TIMP-1 serum level in the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was significantly higher than in the control group (500 vs. 200 ng/ml; p < 0.001), and after therapy it increased significantly (750 ng/ml TIMP-1; p < 0.001). The results suggest that chloroquine treatment may affect the matrix metalloproteinase network, and this effect may contribute to the immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of antimalarials.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can be exacerbated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The number and phenotype of antigen presenting cells in the skin play a role in cutaneous immune response generation. Although antimalarials are widely used in SLE treatment, their mode of action is not completely elucidated. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of chloroquine treatment on HLA-DR+ and CD1a+ cell number in locally irradiated (three minimal erythema doses of UVB) and normal appearing skin in SLE patients and healthy subjects. A significantly higher number of HLA-DR+ and CD1a+ cells were found in both locations in SLE patients compared with controls. Following three months of daily chloroquine treatment (250 mg), the HLA-DR+ and CD1a+ cell counts were significantly reduced in both irradiated and unirradiated sites of SLE patients, although still higher than in controls. Chloroquine treatment reduces the number of antigen presenting cells in the skin of SLE patients, and this effect may explain the antimalarials beneficial immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a complex pathogenesis. Published data have revealed that serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines are increased in SLE patients.The aim of our study was to evaluate whether monotherapy with chloroquine phosphate affects IL- 1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α serum levels in SLE patients. The study group consisted of 25 SLE patients with mild or moderate disease activity and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. In SLE patients the cytokine levels were measured just before and three months after starting chloroquine treatment at a dose of 125 mg twice daily.Although the majority of SLE patients had a low systemic lupus activity measure (SLAM) index, the levels of IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α were significantly higher than in the control group. After three-months of chloroquine therapy the mean level of IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α decreased significantly. Minimal erythema doses (MEDs) were significantly increased in SLE patients after three months of chloroquine therapy.The results indicate that chloroquine treatment lowers some proinflammatory cytokines and may provide a photoprotective effect.

Background: Nodular amyloidosis is a rare form of localized cutaneous amyloidosis that is characterized by nodules located on the extremities, trunk, genitalia, or face. In treatment regimens, many approaches have been described, including carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy. Objective: We present a case of a 60-year-old white male with a 20-year history of disseminated waxy, purpuric, yellowish, and bullous skin lesions on the trunk and extremities. The skin changes were accompanied by pain during palpation and were temporarily pruritic. Method: Based on histologic and direct immunofluorescence test findings, the diagnosis of cutaneous nodular amyloidosis was established. Skin lesions were treated with a CO2 laser. During surgery, treated tissue was found to be slightly friable, and there was a little problem with hemostasis that correlated with amyloid infiltration of the dermis and blood vessels. However, after 8 weeks, we observed clinical improvement of all treated areas with the presence of atrophic scars. In the regions of laser therapy, no recurrence of the disease was observed during a 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: Based on these results, we conclude that CO2 laser has a beneficial effect in the treatment of nodular amyloidosis; however, surgery procedures may be associated sometimes with tissue friability and poor hemostasis. Contexte: L'amylose nodulaire est une forme rare d'amylose cutanée localisée, qui se caractérise par des nodules situés sur les membres, le tronc, les organes génitaux, et la face. Diverses formes de traitement ont été décrites, notamment le traitement au laser à gaz carbonique (CO2). Objectif: Nous exposons ici le cas d'un homme de 60 ans, de race blanche, présentant, depuis une vingtaine d'années, des lésions cutanées bulleuses, jaunâtres, purpuriques, et d'apparence cireuse, disséminées sur le tronc et les membres. Les lésions s'accompagnaient de douleur à la palpation et étaient prurigineuses pendant un certain temps. Méthode: Le diagnostic d'amylose nodulaire cutanée a été posé d'après les résultats de l'examen histologique et de l'immunofluorescence directe. Les lésions ont été traitées au laser à CO2. Les tissus se montraient légèrement friables durant la chirurgie, et l'hémostase était quelque peu difficile en raison de l'infiltration amyloïde du derme et des vaisseaux sanguins. Toutefois, une amélioration clinique de toutes les régions traitées a été marquée, au bout de 8 semaines, par l'apparition de cicatrices atrophiques. Il n'y a pas eu de récidive de la maladie dans les régions traitées au laser, au cours d'un suivi de 12 mois. Conclusion: Nous avons déduit des résultats que le laser à CO2 avait un effet favorable sur l'amylose nodulaire; cependant, l'intervention chirurgicale peut parfois être gênée par la friabilité des tissus et une mauvaise hémostase.

Serum concentrations of three angiogenic cytokines: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and antiangiogenic factor endostatin in the serum of 52 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 20 healthy subjects were investigated. The possible association between serum levels of these proteins and SLE activity as well as correlation between the concentrations of angiogenic cytokines and the level of endostatin was also analyzed. VEGF and IL-18 were detectable in all SLE patients and healthy control group. bFGF was measurable in 71.2% of patients with SLE and 65% of healthy persons. Endostatin was detectable in 94.2% of SLE patients and 95% of normal subjects. The serum levels of endostatin and bFGF were not significantly different in SLE and healthy control (P > 0.05). The median concentration of VEGF was higher in active SLE (238.4pg/ml) than in inactive disease (118.1pg/ml, P < 0.05) or in control group (133.5pg/ml, P < 0.04). The median serum level of IL-18 was higher in the SLE patients (595.2pg/ml) than in the control group (252.7pg/ml) (P < 0.001). The correlations between the levels of angiogenic cytokines and endostatin with clinical features, laboratory abnormalities and also with the type of treatment were analysed. We found a positive correlation between VEGF serum concentration and SLE activity according to SLAM score (r=0.275, P < 0.05). The significant positive correlation was also found between IL-18 and endostatin (r=0.289, P < 0.04). In contrast, the correlation between bFGF and endostatin was significantly negative (r=7 0.299, P < 0.04). In conclusion, serum levels of the angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors may play an important role in SLE pathogenesis.