Low-Energy Helium-Neon Laser Therapy Induces Repigmentation and Improves the Abnormalities of Cutaneous Microcirculation in Segmental-Type Vitiligo Lesions
Segmental vitiligo (SV) is a special form of vitiligo occurring in a dermatomal distribution, and an abnormality involving the sympathetic nerves supplying the affected dermatome is known to underlie this disorder. Previously, we have shown that SV is associated with an abnormal increase in cutaneou...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2008-04-01
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| Series: | Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1607551X08701153 |
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| author | Chieh-Shan Wu Stephen Chu-Sung Hu Cheng-Che E. Lan Gwo-Shing Chen Wen-Ho Chuo Hsin-Su Yu |
| author_facet | Chieh-Shan Wu Stephen Chu-Sung Hu Cheng-Che E. Lan Gwo-Shing Chen Wen-Ho Chuo Hsin-Su Yu |
| author_sort | Chieh-Shan Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Segmental vitiligo (SV) is a special form of vitiligo occurring in a dermatomal distribution, and an abnormality involving the sympathetic nerves supplying the affected dermatome is known to underlie this disorder. Previously, we have shown that SV is associated with an abnormal increase in cutaneous blood flow and adrenoceptor responses in the affected areas. Since SV is resistant to conventional forms of therapy, its management represents a challenge for dermatologists. Low energy helium-neon lasers (He-Ne laser, wavelength 632.8nm) have been employed as a therapeutic instrument in many clinical situations, including vitiligo management and repair of nerve injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of He-Ne lasers in treating SV, and determine their effects on the repair of sympathetic nerve dysfunction. Forty patients with stable-stage SV on the head and/or neck were enrolled in this study. He-Ne laser irradiation was administered locally at 3.0J/cm2 with point stimulation once or twice weekly. Cutaneous microcirculatory assessments in six SV patients were performed using a laser Doppler flowmeter. The sympathetic adrenoceptor response of cutaneous microcirculation was determined by measuring cutaneous blood flow before, during and after iontophoresis with sympathomimetic drugs (phenylephrine, clonidine and propranolol). All measurements of microcirculation obtained at SV lesions were simultaneously compared with contralateral normal skin, both before and after He-Ne laser treatment. After an average of 17 treatment sessions, initial repigmentation was noticed in the majority of patients. Marked repigmentation (> 50%) was observed in 60% of patients with successive treatments. Cutaneous blood flow was significantly higher at SV lesions compared with contralateral skin, but this was normalized after He-Ne laser treatment. In addition, the abnormal decrease in cutaneous blood flow in response to clonidine was improved by He-Ne laser therapy. Our study showed that He-Ne laser therapy is an effective treatment for SV by normalizing dysfunctions of cutaneous blood flow and adrenoceptor responses in SV patients. Thus, the beneficial effects of He-Ne laser therapy may be mediated in part by a reparative effect on sympathetic nerve dysfunction. |
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| issn | 1607-551X |
| language | English |
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| spelling | doaj.art-d8b5fe27dbec435d930bb84a37ab77c52022-12-21T18:37:49ZengWileyKaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences1607-551X2008-04-0124418018910.1016/S1607-551X(08)70115-3Low-Energy Helium-Neon Laser Therapy Induces Repigmentation and Improves the Abnormalities of Cutaneous Microcirculation in Segmental-Type Vitiligo LesionsChieh-Shan Wu0Stephen Chu-Sung Hu1Cheng-Che E. Lan2Gwo-Shing Chen3Wen-Ho Chuo4Hsin-Su Yu5Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, TaiwanDepartment of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, TaiwanDepartment of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, TaiwanDepartment of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, TaiwanDepartment of Pharmacy, Tajen University, Pingtung, TaiwanDepartment of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSegmental vitiligo (SV) is a special form of vitiligo occurring in a dermatomal distribution, and an abnormality involving the sympathetic nerves supplying the affected dermatome is known to underlie this disorder. Previously, we have shown that SV is associated with an abnormal increase in cutaneous blood flow and adrenoceptor responses in the affected areas. Since SV is resistant to conventional forms of therapy, its management represents a challenge for dermatologists. Low energy helium-neon lasers (He-Ne laser, wavelength 632.8nm) have been employed as a therapeutic instrument in many clinical situations, including vitiligo management and repair of nerve injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of He-Ne lasers in treating SV, and determine their effects on the repair of sympathetic nerve dysfunction. Forty patients with stable-stage SV on the head and/or neck were enrolled in this study. He-Ne laser irradiation was administered locally at 3.0J/cm2 with point stimulation once or twice weekly. Cutaneous microcirculatory assessments in six SV patients were performed using a laser Doppler flowmeter. The sympathetic adrenoceptor response of cutaneous microcirculation was determined by measuring cutaneous blood flow before, during and after iontophoresis with sympathomimetic drugs (phenylephrine, clonidine and propranolol). All measurements of microcirculation obtained at SV lesions were simultaneously compared with contralateral normal skin, both before and after He-Ne laser treatment. After an average of 17 treatment sessions, initial repigmentation was noticed in the majority of patients. Marked repigmentation (> 50%) was observed in 60% of patients with successive treatments. Cutaneous blood flow was significantly higher at SV lesions compared with contralateral skin, but this was normalized after He-Ne laser treatment. In addition, the abnormal decrease in cutaneous blood flow in response to clonidine was improved by He-Ne laser therapy. Our study showed that He-Ne laser therapy is an effective treatment for SV by normalizing dysfunctions of cutaneous blood flow and adrenoceptor responses in SV patients. Thus, the beneficial effects of He-Ne laser therapy may be mediated in part by a reparative effect on sympathetic nerve dysfunction.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1607551X08701153cutaneous microcirculationHe-Ne lasersegmental-type vitiligosympathetic adrenoceptor response |
| spellingShingle | Chieh-Shan Wu Stephen Chu-Sung Hu Cheng-Che E. Lan Gwo-Shing Chen Wen-Ho Chuo Hsin-Su Yu Low-Energy Helium-Neon Laser Therapy Induces Repigmentation and Improves the Abnormalities of Cutaneous Microcirculation in Segmental-Type Vitiligo Lesions Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences cutaneous microcirculation He-Ne laser segmental-type vitiligo sympathetic adrenoceptor response |
| title | Low-Energy Helium-Neon Laser Therapy Induces Repigmentation and Improves the Abnormalities of Cutaneous Microcirculation in Segmental-Type Vitiligo Lesions |
| title_full | Low-Energy Helium-Neon Laser Therapy Induces Repigmentation and Improves the Abnormalities of Cutaneous Microcirculation in Segmental-Type Vitiligo Lesions |
| title_fullStr | Low-Energy Helium-Neon Laser Therapy Induces Repigmentation and Improves the Abnormalities of Cutaneous Microcirculation in Segmental-Type Vitiligo Lesions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Low-Energy Helium-Neon Laser Therapy Induces Repigmentation and Improves the Abnormalities of Cutaneous Microcirculation in Segmental-Type Vitiligo Lesions |
| title_short | Low-Energy Helium-Neon Laser Therapy Induces Repigmentation and Improves the Abnormalities of Cutaneous Microcirculation in Segmental-Type Vitiligo Lesions |
| title_sort | low energy helium neon laser therapy induces repigmentation and improves the abnormalities of cutaneous microcirculation in segmental type vitiligo lesions |
| topic | cutaneous microcirculation He-Ne laser segmental-type vitiligo sympathetic adrenoceptor response |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1607551X08701153 |
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