• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2020

Sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (mesna) is a protective agent that is widely used in medicine because of its antioxidant effects. Recently, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were shown to increase pigmentation. Thus, ROS scavengers and inhibitors of ROS production may suppress melanogenesis. Forkhead box-O3a (FoxO3a) is an antimelanogenic factor that mediates ROS-induced skin pigmentation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the whitening effect of mesna and the signaling mechanism mediating this effect. Human melanoma (MNT-1) cells were used in this study. mRNA and protein expression were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting analysis to track changes in FoxO3a-related signals induced by mesna. An immunofluorescence assay was performed to determine the nuclear translocation of FoxO3a. When MNT-1 melanoma cells were treated with mesna, melanin production and secretion decreased. These effects were accompanied by increases in FoxO3a activation and nuclear translocation, resulting in downregulation of four master genes of melanogenesis: MITF, TYR, TRP1, and TRP2. We found that mesna, an antioxidant and radical scavenger, suppresses melanin production and may therefore be a useful agent for the clinical treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2014

Skin hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skin disorders caused by abnormal melanogenesis. The mechanism and key factors at play are not fully understood. Previous reports have indicated that cystamine (CTM) inhibits melanin synthesis, though its molecular mechanism in melanogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of CTM on melanin production using ELISA reader and the expression of proteins involved in melanogenesis by Western blotting, and examined the involvement of transglutaminase-2 (Tgase-2) in SK-MEL-2 human melanoma cells by gene silencing. In the results, CTM dose-dependently suppressed melanin production and dendrite extension in a-MSH-induced melanogenesis of SK-MEL-2 human melanoma cells. CTM also suppressed a-MSH-induced chemotactic migration as well as the expressions of melanogenesis factors TRP-1, TRP-2 and MITF in a-MSH-treated SK-MEL-2 cells. Meanwhile, gene silencing of Tgase-2 suppressed dendrite extension and the expressions of TRP-1 and TRP-2 in a-MSH-treated SK-MEL-2 cells. Overall, these findings suggested that CTM suppresses a-MSH-induced melanogenesis via Tgase-2 inhibition and that therefore, Tgase-2 might be a new target in hyperpigmentation disorder therapy.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.209-213
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• 2004

A 8 kg, 3-year-old male West Highland white terrier dog with a 1.5-year history of chronic, severely pruritic, seborrheic skin disorder was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. On physical examination, lesions were observed on entire cutaneous surface, except for face, dorsum of body, and footpads. Skin lesions were characterized by diffuse erythema, erythematous papules, severe alopecia, hyperpigmentation, and lichenification. Tape strip tests of skin lesions revealed cocci and Malassezia infections. The intradermal allergy tests revealed positive reactions to Japanese cedar pollen, but the non-seasonal clinical signs were not compatible with atopic dermatitis caused by this pollen. Results of hematological examination, serum chemistry and thyroid gland profile were normal. Examination of skin biopsy exhibited hyperplastic superficial perivascular dermatosis with severe acanthosis, excessive keratinocyte mitoses, patchy or diffuse mild spongiosis, and lymphocytic exocytosis in epidermis. Perivascular to interstitial mononuclear cells infiltration was seen in the superficial dermis. Based on the results of examination described above, epidermal dysplasia was diagnosed. Treatments with administration of antibiotics, etretinate, and prednisolone orally combined with topical ketoconazole cream and antiseborreic shampoos had no good results. Following treatment with long-term oral itraconazole at 10 mg/kg daily and chlorhexidine shampoos was successful. However, when itraconazole therapy was stopped, the condition worsened twice within 2 or 3 months. Readministration of itraconazole produced improvement within 4 weeks. This dog has now been controlled periodical itraconazole therapy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.77-80
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• 2001

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a rare serpiginous cutaneous eruption caused by accidental penetration and migration in the skin with infective larvae of nematode that normally do not have the human as their host. Although CLM has a worldwide distribution, the infection is most frequent in warmer climates. More recently, they have been increasingly imported from the tropics or subtropics by travelers. We experienced two patients who had prutitic serpiginous linear eruption in their skin for a few weeks after traveling to the endemic areas (Brazil and Thailand, respectively) . After the treatment with albendazole, the skin lesions resolved with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. We report herein two cases of cutaneous larva migrans successfully treated with albendazole.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 1996

Photochemotherapy(UVA with 8-methoxypsoralen) was given to 30 patients with systemic psoriasis. The results of clearing and long-term(6-month) interval maintenance were reported. Clearing requirements were in general similar to these reported by Melski and Burger. The skin of the 14 patients (46.6%) recovered good skin condition by a once weekly maintenance dose. This result was better than that reported by other authors. 1. During initial treatment period, average number of treatment was 27.3 and average duration treatment was 24.8 weeks. 2. The factors to quit treatment were motion decrease, moving to the remote area, complications, etc. 3. Number of patient who received maintenance treatment was 14. 4. The complications reported from the patients were hyperpigmentation, nausea, headache, pruritis, vomiting, gastritis.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.382.2-382.2
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• 2002

Melanin biosynthesis inhibitors are useful not only for the materials used in cosmetics as skin-whitening agents but also for the remedy of hyperpigmentation. In order to find the new skin-whitening compounds from the natural products. screening of tyrosinase and melanin biosynthesis inhibitory activities in vitro has been carried out. The MeOH extracts and/or fractions of Polygoni multiflori Radix, Dalbergiae odoriferae Lignum. Solnani nigri Herba. Polygoni cuspidati Radix. POlygoni multiflori Ramulus. Salviae Radix showed tyrosinase inhibitory effects. Four methanolic extracts also showed melanin biosynthesis inhibitory effects in B-16 melanoma cell line.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.640-647
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• 2023

The skin, the largest organ in the body, undergoes age-related changes influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The primary external factor is photoaging which causes hyperpigmentation, uneven skin surface, deep wrinkles, and markedly enlarged capillaries. In the human dermis, it decreases fibroblast function, resulting in a lack of collagen structure and also decreases keratinocyte function, which compromises the strength of the protective barrier. In this study, we found that treatment with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) had no toxicity to skin fibroblasts and GABA enhanced their migration ability, which can accelerate skin wound healing. UVB radiation was found to significantly induce the production of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), but treatment with GABA resulted in the inhibition of MMP-1 production. We also investigated the enhancement of filaggrin and aquaporin 3 in keratinocytes after treatment with GABA, showing that GABA can effectively improve skin moisturization. In vivo experiments showed that oral administration of GABA significantly improved skin wrinkles and epidermal thickness. After the intake of GABA, there was a significant decrease observed in the increase of skin thickness measured by calipers and erythema. Additionally, the decrease in skin moisture and elasticity in hairless mice exposed to UVB radiation was also significantly restored. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of GABA as functional food material for improving skin aging and moisturizing.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.236-244
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• 2024

Melanin is a natural pigment found in most plants and animals, and it is involved in determining the color of the skin and hair. Melanogenesis is a reactive occurrence in melanocytes aiming to protect the skin from external stimuli, such as ultraviolet rays. Tyrosine is involved in the biosynthesis of the substrate tyrosine into melanin. However, melanin overproduction can lead to skin diseases, such as melasma, blotching, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer. Although many studies have been conducted on whitening substances, such as kojic acid and arbutin, some countries have banned or refrained from using them due to their side effects. Therefore, this study assessed the potential of horseradish (HR) as a new whitening agent in cosmetic products. For efficient extraction, subcritical water extraction was conducted. The results showed that the horseradish subcritical water 200℃ (SW 200) extract showed high DPPH radical scavenging ability, total phenolic contents (TPC), inhibiting tyrosinase activity and inhibiting melanin production of B16-F10 melanoma cell lines. To investigate its cytotoxicity to the B16-F10 melanoma cell lines, MTT reduction assay and morphological changes were observed. No cytotoxicity was found in horseradish methanol extract and SW 200. In conclusion, this research suggests the possibility of horseradish subcritical water may be useful as a natural whitening ingredient to be used in cosmetic products.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.85-91
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• 2008

These days there is a constant possibility of exposure to UV radiation which can cause abnormal production of melanin and result in skin disease such as hyperpigmentation and melanoma. Many materials were investigated for skin whitening and protection against UV radiation. In this study, we assessed the melanogenesis inhibitory activities of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG, Ginseng Radix Rubra) and Ginkgo (EGb 761 Ginkgo Biloba) in an attempt to develop a new skin whitening agent derived from natural products. B16F10 melanoma cells were treated for 48 hr with KRG and EGb 761. The inhibitory effect on melanogenesis was measured and related cytokines and proteins expression were also investigated by RT-PCR and Western blotting. In addition, we also assessed the effects of these substances on the skin of C57BL/6 mice. Cell growth, melanin content and tyrosinase activity were inhibited effectively in B16F10 melanoma cells treated with KRG and EGb 761. Moreover, tyrosinase mRNA expression was inhibited clearly and melanogenesis related proteins (MRPs) containing tyrosinase, TRP1 and TRP2 were also reduced by KRG and EGb761, while cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were induced. In the case of UV irradiated mice, we observed induction of cytokine mRNA levels and reduction of MRPs mRNA expression. In addition, a decrease in pigmentation from treatment with KRG and EGb 761 on the skin of mice was observed. These results indicate that KRG and EGb 761 inhibit melanogenesis in B16F10 cells and have display protective activities against UVB. Therefore, we suggest that KRG and EGb 761 are good candidates to be used as whitening agents and UVB protectors for the skin.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.777-781
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• 2005

Syndactyly and polysyndactyly are one of the most common congenital anomalies of upper limb. Although there are many surgical approaches, most of them require skin graft for covering the raw surfaces. Therefore these methods involve many disadvantages such as grafted skin contracture, web recurrence, skin graft loss and long operation time, and the grafted hyperpigmented skin and donor site of skin graft, which lead to poor results aesthetically. The authors treated seven cases with a Hayashi's new method in four patients. In this method, tissue of interdigital space are regarded as forming 4 facets of a two piled cube. A dorsal rectangular flap on dorsum of interdigital web makes a new interdigital space. One side of divided digit is coverd with lateral based plantar flap and the other side of divided digit is covered with subcutaneous pedicled flap and remnant web skin. The authors could obtain natural deep interdigital space without web recurrence and scar contracture in 7 cases. Moreover this method does not require skin grafting, accordingly produces better aesthetic results without hyperpigmentation and donor site scaring. Therefore we report this operation technique, which might be used as one of the standard in surgical correction of syndactyly and polysyndactyly.