Risk Factors and Clinicopathological Features for Developing a Subsequent Primary Cutaneous Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinomas

Simple Summary

Patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) often develop new keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), but information is limited on the frequency and timing of these subsequent tumors. This information is crucial to guide follow-up care. Given the significant clinical differences of the characteristic feature of individual skin cancer, estimation of the risk of a subsequent tumor should be estimating separately. The aim of our retrospective study was to assess risk factors for a subsequent skin cancer development. We demonstrated that patients with multiple tumors must be followed up carefully and for a long time. Moreover, we indicated the connection between the BCC subtype and increased risk for further KC development. BCC subtypes with an aggressive growth pattern predispose not only to increased risk for the recurrence but also are expected to be at an increased risk for a subsequent tumor. The non-invasive diagnosis, monitoring and follow up should be more comprehensive for those patients compared to low-risk BCC.

Abstract

Background: Patients with diagnosed keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs) have an increased risk of subsequent skin cancers development. Current studies indicate that patients with subsequent tumors should be followed up regularly. However, none of the studies indicate the connection between the specific subtypes and an increased risk for further KCs development. The study assesses the differences in the risk of developing a subsequent skin cancer after a previous diagnosis of KC, especially considering individual types of skin malignances, and identifies potential factors associated with an increased risk of new cutaneous tumor describing non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring. Methods: Pathology and medical records were examined to identify the characteristics of patients with multiple KCs diagnosed between 1999 and 2019. Results: The study group comprised 13,913 KCs occurring in 10,083 patients. Multiple KCs were observed in 2300 patients (22.8%). The analysis showed aggressive subtypes, multiple tumors, and male sex as significant prognostic factors. Conclusions: The most crucial risk factors for developing subsequent KC are being of a male gender, an aggressive tumor subtype, and previous history of multiple skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma subtypes, such as infiltrative basosquamous, with aggressive growth patterns predispose not only to increased risk for the recurrence but are also expected to be at higher risk of subsequent KCs.

Psychopathic traits, psychological resilience and coping with stress in socially maladjusted youth

OBJECTIVES

The basic aim of the research was to analyze the associations between the traits of psychopathy in the triarchic model (boldness, meanness, disinhibition) and the level of psychological resilience and preferred style of coping with stress in the group of adolescents violating legal norms. The author assumes that the key symptoms in this relationship would be played by the symptoms of psychopathy included in the dimension of boldness.

METHODS

The group of participants consisted of 111 girls and boys aged 16-18 years staying in youth correctional facilities. The Polish adaptation of the TriPM questionnaire was used to measure the severity of psychopathic traits in juveniles (Patrick, 2010, Pilch at al., 2015). The structure of psychological resilience and styles of coping with stress in the studied group were measured with the use of self-report methods: Skala Prężności Psychicznej/SPP-18 (Polish scale to measure resilience in children and adolescents, Ogińska-Bulik, Juczyński 2011) and the CISS questionnaire respectively.

RESULTS

The general level of psychological resilience proved to be a mediator between boldness and task-oriented coping style. Boldness as a component of psychopathy was also associated with all psychological resilience scales. The disinhibition dimension of psychopathy negatively correlated with psychological resilience and was associated with more frequent occurrence of an emotion-oriented stress coping style. There were differences between sexes observed in the severity of meanness and emotion-oriented coping in a stressful situation.

CONCLUSIONS

The research supports the treatment of psychopathy in youth as a complex and multidimensional construct. The data also confirm that certain features of psychopathy may be associated with indicators of good adaptation.

Notch signaling regulates nuclear androgen receptor AR and membrane androgen receptor ZIP9 in mouse Sertoli cells

BACKGROUND

Notch signaling pathway is involved in contact-dependent communication between the cells of seminiferous epithelium, and its proper activity is important for undisturbed spermatogenesis.

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to assess the effect of Notch pathway inhibition on the expression of nuclear (AR) and membrane (ZIP9) androgen receptors and androgen-regulated genes, claudin-5 and claudin-11, in TM4 mouse Sertoli cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DAPT (γ-secretase inhibitor) treatment and recombination signal binding protein silencing were employed to reduce Notch signaling, whereas immobilized ligands were used to activate Notch pathway in TM4 cells. To reveal specific effect of each androgen receptor, AR or ZIP9 silencing was performed.

RESULTS

Notch pathway inhibition increased the expression of AR and ZIP9 mRNA and proteins (p < 0.01; p < 0.05) in TM4 cells, whereas incubation with Notch ligands, rDLL1 or rJAG1, reduced AR (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) and ZIP9 (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) expressions, respectively. Testosterone enhanced the expression of both receptors (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). Androgen-regulated claudin-5 and claudin-11 (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) and cAMP (p < 0.001) were elevated in Notch-inhibited cells, while activation of Notch signaling by DLL1 or JAG1 reduced claudin-11 or claudin-5 level (p < 0.01; p < 0.001), respectively.

DISCUSSION

Our findings indicate opposite effect of Notch and androgen signaling on the expression of androgen receptors in TM4 cells. We demonstrated that AR expression is regulated by DLL1-mediated Notch signaling, whereas JAG1 is involved in the regulation of ZIP9. The expression of both claudins and cAMP production is under inhibitory influence of Notch pathway. The effects of Notch signaling on claudin-5 and claudin-11 expression are mediated by ZIP9 and AR, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Notch signaling may be considered as an important pathway controlling Sertoli cell physiology, and its alterations may contribute to disturbed response of Sertoli cells to androgens.

The relationship between plasma renin activity and serum lipid profiles in patients with primary arterial hypertension

Introduction:

The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical and biochemical differences between patients with low-renin and high-renin primary arterial hypertension (AH), mainly in reference to serum lipids, and to identify factors determining lipid concentrations.

Materials and methods:

In untreated patients with AH stage 1 we measured plasma renin activity (PRA) and subdivided the group into low-renin (PRA < 0.65 ng/mL/h) and high-renin (PRA ⩾ 0.65 ng/mL/h) AH. We compared office and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure, serum aldosterone, lipids and selected biochemical parameters between subgroups. Factors determining lipid concentration in both subgroups were assessed in regression analysis.

Results:

Patients with high-renin hypertension (N = 58) were characterized by higher heart rate (p = 0.04), lower serum sodium (p < 0.01) and aldosterone-to-renin ratio (p < 0.01), and significantly higher serum aldosterone (p = 0.03), albumin (p < 0.01), total protein (p < 0.01), total cholesterol (p = 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p = 0.04) than low-renin subjects (N = 39). In univariate linear regression, only PRA in the low-renin group was in a positive relationship with LDL-C (R² = 0.15, β = 1.53 and p = 0.013); this association remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and serum albumin and aldosterone concentrations.

Conclusions:

Higher serum levels of total and LDL-C characterized high-renin subjects, but the association between LDL-C level and PRA existed only in low-renin primary AH.

Utilisation of lipid-lowering therapies in outpatient settings in Poland: epidemiological survey Economedica Dyslipidaemia 2015

BACKGROUND

Dyslipidaemia, especially elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. Treatment of dyslipidaemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with lipid-lowering drugs is one of the key issues in reducing cardiovascular mortality. Nevertheless, underutilisation of statins and lipid-lowering drugs is still a problem globally.

AIM

The present study aimed to describe the utilisation of lipid-lowering drugs in groups of patients with indications for statin treatment and elevated LDL-C.

METHODS

The study included adult patients with an indication for the use of a lipid-lowering therapy, currently using or not using such therapy because of contraindications or statin intolerance, in whom LDL-C concentration was > 70 mg/dL, treated in outpatient settings. All patients were screened for CVD and had blood cholesterol concentration assessed. Patients were also divided into: (1) patients with vascular disease; (2) patients with diabetes mellitus; (3) aged ≥ 65 years; and (4) patients without the three mentioned risk factors.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 2812 (51.4% male) patients. Major cardiovascular risk factors including arterial hyper-tension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and smoking were highly prevalent in the study population (86.2%, 44.1%, and 23.3%, respectively). Out of the prespecified risk factors (vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, age ≥ 65 years) the study population was divided into patients without any of the mentioned risk factors (n = 520), those with all the three risk factors (n = 368), two out of three risk factors (n = 934), and one risk factor (n = 990). The study showed that 89.6% of patients were treated with statins (47.8% with atorvastatin, 27.8% with rosuvastatin, and 13.8% with simvastatin). Fenofibrate was used in 5.8% of the population and ezetimibe in 2.7%. In the whole group, 7.1% of patients did not receive any type of lipid-lowering therapy. Atorvastatin was more often used in patients with all the three prespecified risk factors, while rosuvastatin was used in patients without any of the risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The most often-used lipid-lowering drugs in Poland are statins, with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin being used the most common of these. The present study shows that some patients with LDL-C concentration > 70 mg/dL and indications for lipid-lowering are not treated accordingly.

Advanced glycosylation end products in skin, serum, saliva and urine and its association with complications of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) has a key role in the pathophysiology of diabetes complications. Comparison of AGEs measurement in serum, skin, saliva and urine has not been reported.

AIMS

To compare AGEs in serum, skin, saliva and urine in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, with complications at different stages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined 50 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (40 women and 10 men) grouped according to the progression of neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. The AGEs content in serum, skin, saliva and urine was measured by spectrofluorometry HPLC.

RESULTS

The patients had a mean age of 56.5 +/- 7.7 yr and 12.8 +/- 6.7 yr since diagnosis. AGEs in skin correlated with years since diagnosis (p = 0.0005). AGEs in serum, skin and saliva increased with the progression of complications, nevertheless, in urine a trend to diminution was found. In the group with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), AGEs in serum increased in greater proportion. In order to account for the decreased AGEs clearance, we corrected the values for creatinine levels, and AGEs in skin gave a better association with complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The AGEs measurement in skin, serum and saliva are useful to evaluate diabetes complications. AGEs in skin are associated with years since diagnosis of diabetes. Correction for renal function might discriminate AGEs in situ formation from accumulation.

Speciation of arsenic in different types of nuts by ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

In this work the quantitative determination and analytical speciation of arsenic were undertaken in different types of nuts, randomly purchased from local markets. The hardness of the whole nuts and high lipid content made the preparation of this material difficult for analysis. The lack of sample homogeneity caused irreproducible results. To improve the precision of analysis, arsenic was determined separately in nut oil and in the defatted sample. The lipids were extracted from the ground sample with the two portions of a mixture of chloroform and methanol (2:1). The defatted material was dried and ground again, yielding a fine powder. The nut oil was obtained by combining the two organic extracts and by evaporating the solvents. The two nut fractions were microwave digested, and total arsenic was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results obtained for oils from different types of nuts showed element concentration in the range 2.9-16.9 ng g(-)(1). Lower levels of arsenic were found in defatted material (<0.1 ng g(-)(1) with the exception of Brazil nuts purchased with and without shells, 3.0 and 2.8 ng g(-)(1) respectively). For speciation analysis of arsenic in nut oils, elemental species were extracted from 2 g of oil with 12 mL of chloroform/methanol (2:1) and 8 mL of deionized water. The aqueous layer, containing polar arsenic species, was evaporated and the residue dissolved and analyzed by ion chromatography-ICP-MS. The anion exchange chromatography enabled separation of As(III), dimethylarsinic acid (DMAs(V)), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAs(V)), and As(V) within 8 min. Several types of nuts were analyzed, including walnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews, pine nuts, peanuts, pistachio nuts, and sunflower seeds. The recovery for the speciation procedure was in the range 72.7-90.6%. The primary species found in the oil extracts were As(III) and As(V). The arsenic concentration levels in these two species were 0.7-12.7 and 0.5-4.3 ng g(-)(1), respectively. The contribution of As in DMAs(V) ranged from 0.1 +/- 0.1 ng g(-)(1) in walnuts to 1.3 +/- 0.3 ng g(-)(1) in pine nuts. MMAs(V) was not detected in almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, or walnuts, and the highest concentration was found in pistachio nuts (0.5 +/- 0.2 ng g(-)(1)).

Possible adverse effect of chromium in occupational exposure of tannery workers

Our aim was to investigate the adverse effects of occupational exposure to trivalent chromium. We measured chromium and iron levels in serum and urine and hemoglobin levels in tannery workers and unexposed persons. We studied three groups of subjects. Group 1 included 15 non-smoking male tannery workers highly exposed to chromium from tanning and retanning departments. Group 2 included 14 non-smoking male tannery workers with moderate chromium exposure from dying, drying and finishing departments. Group 3 included 11 healthy, non-smoking male subjects without direct chromium exposure. Higher serum chromium levels were observed in groups 1 and 2 with respect to group 3 (mean values respectively: 0.43; 0.25 and 0.13 microg x l(-1)). Urine chromium levels in group 1 were higher than those in controls (mean values: 1.78 and 1.35 microg x l(-1)). In group 1 an inverse association was found between serum chromium and urine iron (-0.524), urine chromium and hemoglobin (-0.594) and between the urine chromium to iron ratio and hemoglobin (-0.693, p<0.05). The results suggest a chromium adverse effect on iron metabolism, possibly associated with excessive body chromium accumulation. In conclusion, chromium urine test could be recommended for diagnosis of chromium adverse effect on iron metabolism. Further studies are needed to quantify the relationship between urine chromium and hemoglobin metabolism.

The determination of 3-nitrophenol and some other aromatic impurities in 4-nitrophenol by reversed phase HPLC with peak suppression diode array detection

In this work the peak suppression technique is used for the determination of 3-nitrophenol and some other aromatic impurities in 4-nitrophenol by reversed phase HPLC with diode array detection. Taking into account the differences between the absorption spectra of the two compounds, two wavelengths were selected in order to obtain the maximum difference between the spectral contribution for 3-nitrophenol and to maintain a small, similar spectral contribution for 4-nitrophenol (the main compound). Then we used the wavelength corresponding to a small spectral contribution of 3-nitrophenol as the reference wavelength. It was shown that taking lambda(an) = 266 nm and lambda(ref) = 364 nm, a broad elution peak of 4-nitrophenol was suppressed deconvoluting the peak of 3-nitrophenol. Moreover, quantitation of 3-nitrophenol was achieved without chemometric tools. Under the proposed conditions the detection limits for 3-nitrophenol and other common impurities of 4-nitrophenol used in the pharmaceutical industry (4-chlorophenol, 4-nitrophenol, 1-chloro-2-nitrobenzene, 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene, 4,4'-bisfenilether, and 4,4'-dichloroazobenzene) were not significantly affected as compared with respective detection limits evaluated in the absence of 4-nitrophenol and using standard detection conditions (lambda(an) = 280 nm and lambda(ref) = 420 nm).

Determination of total aluminum, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, and nickel and their fractions leached to the infusions of black tea, green tea, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Ilex paraguariensis (mate) by ETA-AAS

Total aluminum, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, and nickel were determined in black tea, green tea, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Ilex paraguariensis (mate) by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after nitric/perchloric acid digestion. In each case, one ground sample of commercially available leafy material was prepared and three 0.5-g subsamples were run in parallel. The infusions were also analyzed and the percentage of each element leached into the liquor was evaluated. The obtained results indicated that hibiscus and mate contained lower levels of aluminum (272+/-19 microg/g and 369+/-22 microg/g, respectively) as referred to black tea (759+/-31 microg/g) or green tea (919micro29 microg/g) and suggested that mate drinking could be a good dietary source of essential micronutrient manganese (total content 2223+/-110 microg/g, 48.1% leached to the infusion). It was also found that the infusion of hibiscus could supply greater amounts of iron (111+/-5 microg/g total, 40.5% leached) and copper (5.9+/-0.3 microg/g total, 93.4% leached) as compared to other infusions. Moreover, it was found that the percentage of element leached to the infusion was strongly related to the tannins content in the beverage (correlation coefficients > 0.82 with the exception for nickel); for lower tannins level, better leaching was observed.

Determination of miconazole in pharmaceutical creams using internal standard and second derivative spectrophotometry

A simple method is proposed for miconazole determination in pharmaceutical creams, based on extraction and second derivative spectrophotometry. In the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate (0.5%) and sulphuric acid (0.4 mol l(-1)), the miconazole and internal standard (IS) (methylene blue) were extracted to 100 microl of methylene chloride. The organic phase was evaporated in the nitrogen stream and the dry residue was dissolved in methanol (1.5 ml). The analytical signal was obtained as the ratio between second derivative absorbances measured at 236.9 nm (miconazole) and at 663.2 nm (IS). The use of IS in such multi-stage procedure enabled quite good analytical performance in calibration range 50.0 400 mg l(-1): linear correlation coefficient 0.9995, precision (measured as CV for ten replicates) at 50.0 mg l(-1) and at 400 mg l(-1) of miconazole was 1.5 and 0.5% respectively. Four commercial pharmaceutical creams were analyzed and the results obtained were in good agreement with the results obtained by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Studies on bioavailability of some bulk and trace elements in Mexican tortilla using an in vitro model

An in vitro gut model was used to investigate the bioavailability of calcium, magnesium, cadmium, chromium, iron, manganese, and lead in the Mexican (maize) tortilla. The samples (4 g) were digested in quartz tubes using concentrated nitric acid (12 mL) at 65 degrees C (2 h) and then at 120 degrees C (4 h). Total element concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out in two steps: first, with pepsin in a hydrochloric acid medium (pH 1.8) and then after neutralization with sodium bicarbonate (pH 6.0), with the mixture of pancreatine, amylase, and bile salts extract. Elements under study were determined in the supernatant by atomic absorption spectrometry. The bioavailable fraction of each element in tortilla was evaluated as the percentage of total element content found in the solution after enzymolysis. The obtained results showed relatively low bioavailability of the selected elements (from 2% to 32%), which possibly may be ascribed to the presence of dietary fiber in tortilla.

Application of the bivariate spectrophotometric method for the determination of metronidazole, furazolidone and di-iodohydroxyquinoline in pharmaceutical formulations

The bivariate calibration algorithm was applied to the spectrophotometric determination of metronidazole, furazolidone and di-iodohydroxyquinoline in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The results obtained were compared with the results of derivative spectrophotometry. The statistical evaluation of method bias was carried out, and it was shown that the proposed procedure may be competitive with commonly used first-derivative spectrophotometry. The advantage of the bivariate calibration is its simplicity, and the fact that there is no need to use the derivatization procedures.

Novel analytical approach to monitoring advanced glycosylation end products in human serum with on-line spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric detection in a flow system

We proposed a simple analytical procedure for measurement of serum advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) based on simultaneous detection of low-molecular-mass peptides and AGEs with a flow system and two detectors connected on-line: spectrophotometric for peptides (lambda = 280 nm) and spectrofluorometric for AGEs (lambda ex = 247 nm, lambda em = 440 nm). Sample pretreatment was carried out in microcentrifuge tubes: Serum (20 microL) was deproteinized with trichloroacetic acid (480 microL, 0.15 mol/L) and lipids were extracted with chloroform (100 microL). Twenty microliters of the filtered aqueous layer was injected to the flow system and the relation between fluorescence and absorption signals was measured. A peptide-derived AGE calibrator was used for calibration. Within-day and between-day CVs were 6.7% and 9.1%, respectively, at an AGE concentration corresponding approximately to that in healthy individuals. Mean results (+/-SD) in 10 healthy individuals were 10.1% +/- 1.0%, in 21 patients with diabetes without complications 18.0% +/- 6.2%, in 25 patients with complications 24.1% +/- 15.4%, and in 12 diabetic patients in end-stage renal disease 92% +/- 30%. Comparison with an ELISA procedure (x, in arbitrary units/L) yields a regression equation y = 0.713x + 1.24 (Sy [symbol: see text] x = 6777, r = 0.8477, n = 41).

Activation of murine macrophages by silica particles in vitro is a process independent of silica-induced cell death

We have tested the murine macrophagic cell line RAW 264.7 for its ability to undergo activation after exposure to silica particles in vitro. When exposed to silica under controlled conditions (each cell having access to about 10 silica particles), RAW 264.7 cells were able to phagocytose the particles. Concomitantly, there was a significant increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) mRNA accumulation and TNF alpha secretion. The level of TNF alpha production by RAW 264.7 cells increased up to 5-fold 48 h after phagocytosis of silica particles with very low cell toxicity. The phagocytic stimulus did not induce nitric oxide production. When cells were exposed to a higher number of silica particles, cell activation was attained at shorter times but a substantial number of cells were damaged at 48 h. Interferon gamma (IFN gamma) alone induced an increased production of TNF alpha in RAW 264.7 cells, not further augmented by a subsequent exposure to silica of the IFN gamma-treated cells. Other macrophage-like cell lines as well as primary peritoneal macrophages were able to phagocytose silica particles but showed different abilities to produce and secrete TNF alpha once phagocytosis took place. Therefore, RAW 264.7 cells were chosen as a model for in vitro studies of the long-term response of macrophages to silica.

Aluminium and silicon speciation in human serum by lon-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography-electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and gel electrophoresis

Speciation of aluminium and silicon in serum was studied by a reliable and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic-electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric (HPLC-ETAAS) hybrid method, based on the use of a polymeric anion-exchange column (Protein-Pak DEAE-5PW). This polymer-based column minimizes the risk of aluminium losses and of silicon contamination from the column during separation. The results obtained were compared with the results of previous studies carried out using different, complementary techniques including ultramicrofiltration, gel filtration and silica-based column for HPLC. In order to ascertain which protein(s) of serum actually bind(s) aluminium, gel electrophoresis was employed for the further separation of the column fractions obtained by HPLC and aluminium was determined in separate aliquots of the same fractions. From all the experiments, it appears that transferrin (Tf) is the only serum protein that binds aluminium and it contains about 90% of total serum aluminium. It was also confirmed that in the presence of desferrioxamine (DFO). aluminium is partly displaced from its complex with transferrin to a low molecular mass AL-DFO complex. Aluminum citrate seems to be the main low molecular mass aluminium species in serum, amounting to about (12 +/- 5% of the total aluminium in an aluminium-loaded serum sample. The proposed speciation procedure permits the simultaneous identification and determination of three aluminium species in metal-spiked serum (Al-Tf, Al-DFO and AI-citrate). The result for silicon suggest that it seems to be unspecifically adsorbed to several serum proteins and its speciation is not affected by the presence of DFO.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Lack of effect of acetaldehyde on the cardiovascular system in rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the kinetics of acetaldehyde (ACT) and and its action on the cardiovascular system in rats. ACT (3, 6, 12 mg/kg i.p.) causes accumulation of this metabolite in the blood, at a concentration corresponding to that obtained from ethanol metabolism after its administration in doses of 1, 2, 4 g/kg p.o., respectively. After intraperitoneal injection of ACT there were no significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate in comparison to the control group. It appears that, in rats, ACT has no influence on the function of the cardiovascular system after the ingestion of ethanol.

[Increased proteolytic activity of cathepsin D in the skin of rats after administration of various anti-inflammatory drugs]

Cathepsin D activity and type I and III collagens content in the skin of rats treated with some antiinflammatory drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, phenylbutazone, indomethacin, colchicine and prednisone) were evaluated. It was found that investigated drugs evoke increased activity of cathepsin D and decreased collagen content (mainly type I) in this tissue. The correlation between type I collagen content and proteolytic activity was noticed.