The British journal of dermatology
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Hydrophilic drugs are poorly absorbed when applied topically, due to low partitioning through the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum. Cutaneous blood flow rapidly clears the absorbed drug, which may result in low tissue levels. This is of importance for topically applied drugs whose site of action is within the epidermis or dermis. Dermal drug levels can be measured using cutaneous microdialysis, which is a means of continuously sampling substances from the dermal extracellular fluid. ⋯ This study defines for the first time the relationship between the degree of mechanical barrier impairment and drug absorption at the same anatomical site in humans, and the role of blood flow in drug clearance in vivo.
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Keloids are characterized by abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts and overproduction of collagen. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is mitogenic for fibroblasts and a stimulatory factor for collagen synthesis. ⋯ Because the IGF system plays an important part in fibroblast cell proliferation and collagen production, the described activities of quercetin on the IGF system and collagen expression may provide a novel approach for the use of quercetin in treatment and/or prevention of hypertrophic scar and keloid.
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The cosmetic use of bleaching products is considered a common practice in dark-skinned women from sub-Saharan Africa. However, there are few studies on this subject. ⋯ More than half of the adult women presenting at our dermatology centre were using bleaching products. Most skin diseases observed in bleaching products users appeared to be induced, aggravated or modified by this practice. Superpotent topical glucocorticoids appeared to be the main agents responsible for the observed complications. The cosmetic use of bleaching products therefore has a major impact on our current dermatological practice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of ondansetron in renal itch.
Renal itch is a relatively common and distressing problem for patients with chronic renal failure. Ondansetron, a serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist was developed for relief of chemotherapy induced nausea. Recently, anecdotal reports describe relief of renal itch with ondansetron. ⋯ Our results show that ondansetron is no better than placebo in controlling renal itch.