Acne Scars

Scand Cardiovasc J. 2009 May 13; 1-9Patila T, Ikonen T, Kankuri E, Ahonen A, Krogerus L, Lauerma K, Harjula AObjectives. We aimed to assess the spontaneous healing of myocardial function after occlusion of a chronically stenosed coronary vessel in a porcine model. Design. Ischemia and infarction was produced by Ameroid constrictor placement and a subsequent ligation of the left circumflex artery. Cardiac MRI and 18FDG-PET were performed one and five weeks later. Ki67 staining was used to identify proliferating cells. Results. Restoration of perfusion defect was detected by MRI (p = 0.0065), reduced systolic function of the lateral segment spontaneously recovered (p = 0.03). There was also a suggestive raise in impaired ejection fraction (p = 0.06). Left ventricular early diastolic filling and peak filling rate were substantially improved (p = 0.039 and p = 0.0078). Scar size reduced (p = 0.03). On the 18FDG-PET, deranged metabolism was alleviated (p = 0.03). Cardiomyocytes with positive Ki-67 staining were located principally in the non-infarcted myocardium as compared to the infarction or border areas (p = 0.037). Conclusions. We demonstrated spontaneous functional healing of ischemic and infarcted left ventricle, suggesting border zone perfusion recovery. Scar reduction was detected. Different pattern of myocyte proliferation between infarction and non-ischemic myocardium was seen.

Dermatol Surg. 2009 Apr 27; Tanaka Y, Matsuo K, Yuzuriha S, Shinohara HBACKGROUND The dermis is composed primarily of type I (soft) and type III (rigid scar-like) collagen. Collagen degradation is considered the primary cause of skin aging. Studies have proved the efficacy of infrared irradiation on collagen stimulation but have not investigated the differential long-term effects of infrared irradiation on type I and type III collagen. OBJECTIVE To determine differential long-term stimulation of type I and type III collagen after infrared (1,100-1,800 nm) irradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS In vivo rat tissue was irradiated using the infrared device. Histology samples were analyzed for type I and III collagen stimulation, visual changes from baseline, and treatment safety up to 90 days post-treatment. RESULTS Infrared irradiation provided long-term stimulation of type I collagen and temporary stimulation of type III collagen. Treatment also created long-term smoothing of the epidermis, with no observed complications. CONCLUSIONS Infrared irradiation provides safe, consistent, long-term stimulation of type I collagen but only short-term stimulation in the more rigid type III collagen. This is preferential for cosmetic patients looking for improvement in laxity and wrinkles while seeking smoother, more youthful skin. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Histopathology. 2009 May; 54(6): 722-30Imaizumi R, Akasaka Y, Inomata N, Okada E, Ito K, Ishikawa Y, Maruyama YAIMS: Keloid is characterized by excessive deposition of collagen, resulting from aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) production and degradation. The aim was to investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in pathological wound healing in keloids. METHODS AND RESULTS: Semiquantitative analysis of 60 keloid tissue samples and 25 mature scar tissue samples demonstrated significantly increased expression of MMP-2, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 in keloids compared with mature scars. Within keloid regions, MMP-2 expression was significantly higher in collagen bundle regions than in non-collagen bundle regions. Double immunofluorescence revealed that keloid fibroblasts between collagen bundles exhibited MMP-2, TIMP-2 and membrane-type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) co-expression, whereas only MMP-2 expression was evident on the edge of collagen bundles. Western blot analysis and gelatin zymography of 13 keloid-derived fibroblasts (KFbs) and six normal skin dermal-derived fibroblasts (NFbs) demonstrated that unstimulated KFbs exhibited significantly increased MMP-2 activity and expression compared with NFbs under the same conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These results together indicate that MMP-2 activity can be promoted in keloid fibroblasts between collagen bundles in cooperation with TIMP-2 and MT1-MMP. This could contribute to remodelling of collagen bundle regions and invasion of fibroblasts into peripheral normal regions through promoted degradation of ECM.