Posts Tagged ‘psoriasis’

Researchers have been able to uncover a potential new treatment approach for helping patients suffering from asthma by blocking a powerful immune system chemical, which is present in large quantities in patients as per a small study in Thorax.

Severe asthma, which is rare, can be noticed in 1 out of every 10 asthmatics and progressively high doses of steroids are needed to control the disease symptoms.

From Sciencedaily.com:

Seventeen people with severe asthma who still had symptoms, despite being treated with a range of drugs, were also given 25 mg of a drug that blocks TNF alpha production (etanercept) twice weekly, injected below the skin for 12 weeks. Fifteen completed the course.

At the end of the study period, these patients experienced a significant improvement in symptoms and lung function. Two patients were able to discontinue one of their drugs.

The treatment also curbed the inflammatory reaction in the lungs, known as bronchial hyperresponsiveness. And there were few side effects.

The authors caution that further research will be required before this approach can be recommended, but they say that it offers a potentially new avenue of treatment for severe asthma.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), which is noticed in many chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis, was investigated by the research team.

According to scientists from the University of Michigan, a compound called benzodiazepine-423 (Bz-423) – a chemical cousin of the anti-anxiety drugs Valiumâ and Xanaxâ – is effective for suppressing cell growth in a psoriasis model.

This finding was disclosed in a study published online in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Currently, the best treatments for skin lesions associated with psoriasis are topical steroids, but the problem with those drugs is that they’re not selective for the disease-causing cells. They affect normal cells as well, and repeated use over time can lead to tissue destruction,” said Gary Glick, who is the Werner E. Bachmann Collegiate Professor of Chemistry and a professor of biological chemistry in the U-M Medical School. “There are also protein drugs approved for use in treating psoriasis, but those drugs are injected instead of applied topically, which makes them more costly, less convenient and more likely to cause side effects since they are delivered throughout the body.”

“What makes our compound particularly exciting is that it has the potential to be applied topically, and it shows very good selectivity for models of the disease-causing cells versus normal cells,” Glick said. “So we believe the problems associated with repeated topical steroid use could possibly be alleviated with compounds like this.”

Psoriasis is a disease in which cells multiply in an unchecked manner and therefore inhibiting cell growth is required for disease control.

Xamiol gel, available on prescription, has been found to be effective in providing considerable relief to individuals suffering from flaking, itching, and soreness that are caused due to scalp psoriasis. Once-daily treatment with this effective gel is all needed to ensure effective handling of psoriasis.

The gel includes calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate and combines the positive effects of a vitamin-D like agent and steroid to improve quality of life and proving itself as a second-line alternative.

From News-Medical.Net:

Typical scalp psoriasis treatments include coal tar, dithranol, salicylic acid, steroid creams and ointments, as well as Vitamin D based treatments. In the past, patients have expressed their dissatisfaction with certain treatments, for being ineffective, difficult to apply, making the hair look dirty or smelling strongly. This in turn can affect their willingness to stick to treatment routines. This new combination is an almost clear and odourless gel that is simply applied once-daily: for example in the evening, then left on overnight and washed out the following morning.

“The Psoriasis Association welcomes the introduction of new therapies such as Xamiol that can improve the quality of life of patients and expand the treatment options for this frustrating and traditionally difficult to treat condition”, commented Helen McAteer, Information Officer for the Psoriasis Association.

Dr Girish Gupta, Consultant Dermatologist from Monklands Hospital, Lanarkshire, said the gel’s unique formulation makes it easier and more effective when it comes to treating scalp psoriasis.

Once-daily treatment with Xamiol gel can be the winning factor when it comes to offering relief to patients suffering from scalp psoriasis and its symptoms: itching, flaking, and soreness. It was highlighted during a recent study that Xamiol gel that is now available on prescription has a unique formulation making it effective enough to provide relief to patients with scalp psoriasis.

Xamiol gel includes calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate along with combining the effects of a Vitamin D-like agent and steroid. It helps in improving life quality of patients along with playing a good role as a second-line alternative.

From News-Medical.Net:

Typical scalp psoriasis treatments include coal tar, dithranol, salicylic acid, steroid creams and ointments, as well as Vitamin D based treatments. In the past, patients have expressed their dissatisfaction with certain treatments, for being ineffective, difficult to apply, making the hair look dirty or smelling strongly. This in turn can affect their willingness to stick to treatment routines. This new combination is an almost clear and odourless gel that is simply applied once-daily: for example in the evening, then left on overnight and washed out the following morning.

“The Psoriasis Association welcomes the introduction of new therapies such as Xamiol that can improve the quality of life of patients and expand the treatment options for this frustrating and traditionally difficult to treat condition”, commented Helen McAteer, Information Officer for the Psoriasis Association.

Dr Girish Gupta, Consultant Dermatologist from Monklands Hospital, Lanarkshire, said that unique formulation of this treatment option can be considered as an effective treatment methodology for offering relief to patients with scalp psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory response that sets off skin cells to develop quickly leading to raised plaques, which are red in color with silvery scales.

There are in reality numerous interventions to psoriasis but there is perfectly no cure. Several medications employed to treat rheumatoid arthritis can even set off a psoriatic attack. In fact, these kinds of drugs such as Enbrel and Remicade are sometimes prescribed for hard-to-treat psoriasis.

Psoriatic treatment viewed, as cornerstone are topical steroids, moisturizers and coal tar creams. Different treatments may also be supplied such as light therapy (PUVA) and oral medications (methotrexate).

Normally, the knees and elbows are greatly affected than other parts of the body. It may grow, however, on the scalp, back, genitals or other places on the body.

Since patients usually get disappointed with the cost of treatment, numerous patients often search for options, which is more low-cost yet capable.

One patient declined taking medications. He even rejected topical steroids; alternatively, he tried turmeric and bromelain. He took both three times a day.

After a while, his psoriasis vanished. His doctor was astounded. He even underwent different examinations to show that he indeed had psoriasis before his turmeric treatment.

Effectivity of this intervention, however, is not yet established since there are no analyses conducted to prove turmeric’s ability to treat psoriasis.

From SGV Tribune:

People with psoriasis often receive a smorgasbord of therapies. Moisturizers, coal tar creams and topical steroids are cornerstones of treatment. Light therapy (PUVA) also can help, and in tougher cases, oral medications like methotrexate are frequently added to the regimen.