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Purpose: Although the pathogenesis of psoriasis involves the dermis, most previous studies collected samples using the swab technique. A recent study examining the microbiomes obtained via both skin biopsies and swabs revealed a significant difference in normal skin. We hypothesized that the microbiome profile of patients with psoriasis from tape stripping and skin biopsy might be different. This study sought to contribute to microbiome research on psoriasis by investigating the changes in the microbiome during narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) therapy by comparing the results from the different sampling techniques of tape stripping and skin biopsy. Patients and Methods: Twenty-three participants, including 14 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and nine healthy controls, were recruited, and nine patients with psoriasis completed 20-sessions of NBUVB treatment. Skin microbiota from both techniques was analyzed using the 16S rRNA gene at baseline and after treatment. Results: A clear difference was observed between the results from the two sampling techniques. Alpha diversity of the microbiota obtained from tape stripping was higher than that of the microbiota from skin biopsy, whereas beta diversity was clustered into two groups by sampling technique. The microbiome was altered during NBUVB treatment using both sampling techniques. Conclusion: Different sampling techniques resulted in different microbiome profiles in patients with psoriasis. Tape stripping and swabs are feasible procedures and are mostly used in psoriasis and other skin microbiome studies; however, skin biopsy may also expand our understanding of psoriasis and other skin diseases that pathophysiology involves deeper to the dermis or subcutaneous tissue.

Atiya Rungjang,1 Jitlada Meephansan,1 Sunchai Payungporn,2 Vorthon Sawaswong,2 Prangwalai Chanchaem,2 Purit Pureesrisak,3 Jongkonnee Wongpiyabovorn,4 Hok Bing Thio5 1Division of Dermatology, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand; 2The Research Unit of Systems Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; 3Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Rajavithi Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand; 4Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune Mediated Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; 5Department of Dermatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the NetherlandsCorrespondence: Jitlada Meephansan, Division of Dermatology, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand, Tel +66 0 2564-4444, ext.1535, Fax +66 0 2564-4440, ext.7594, Email kae_mdcu@yahoo.comPurpose: Although the pathogenesis of psoriasis involves the dermis, most previous studies collected samples using the swab technique. A recent study examining the microbiomes obtained via both skin biopsies and swabs revealed a significant difference in normal skin. We hypothesized that the microbiome profile of patients with psoriasis from tape stripping and skin biopsy might be different. This study sought to contribute to microbiome research on psoriasis by investigating the changes in the microbiome during narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) therapy by comparing the results from the different sampling techniques of tape stripping and skin biopsy.Patients and Methods: Twenty-three participants, including 14 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and nine healthy controls, were recruited, and nine patients with psoriasis completed 20-sessions of NBUVB treatment. Skin microbiota from both techniques was analyzed using the 1

Pinyadapat Vacharanukrauh,1 Jitlada Meephansan,1 Pattarin Tangtanatakul,2 Wipasiri Soonthornchai,3 Jongkonnee Wongpiyabovorn,4 Onsiri Serirat,5 Mayumi Komine6 1Division of Dermatology, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand; 2Department of Transfusion Medicine and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; 3Demonstration School, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand; 4Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune Mediated Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; 5Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Rajavithi Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand; 6Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, JapanCorrespondence: Jitlada MeephansanDivision of Dermatology, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, ThailandTel +662564-4444, ext.1535Fax +662564-4440, ext.7594Email kae_mdcu@yahoo.comObjective: To identify the narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB)-induced molecular mechanisms that may account for their anti-inflammatory efficacy, gene expression and transcriptome profiling, which were performed using advanced molecular techniques.Methods: This research was conducted on patients with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis who received NB-UVB treatment. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was conducted to assay the transcriptomes and identify the differentially expressed transcripts that had been enriched during the major pathway analysis.Results: Clinical improvement of psoriasis by NB-UVB therapy is linked to the suppression of the “immunological signaling pathways” and “cell cycle regulatory, growth and proliferation pathways” which are critical to the pathogenesis of the disease. In addition, these results were further subs

Suparat Wangsuwan, Jitlada Meephansan Division of Dermatology, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani 12120, ThailandCorrespondence: Jitlada MeephansanDivision of Dermatology, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, ThailandTel +66 02 564 4444 Ext 4495Email kae_mdcu@yahoo.comBackground: Non-invasive photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has been used as an alternative acne treatment for many years. Riboflavin and tryptophan are newly introduced photosensitizers.Objective: To compare the efficacy of PDT with riboflavin-tryptophan (RT) gel with that of 13% ALA for the treatment of facial acne.Methods: We performed a double-blind, split-face study of 37 subjects with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris. RT gel was applied to half of the face, and 13% ALA was applied to the other half. Then, the whole face was irradiated using a blue light-emitting diode for 20 mins. Four treatment sessions were performed over a 4-week duration, at 1-week interval. The acne lesion counts and acne severity were assessed. Sebum secretion, Propionibacterium acne colonization, pore size, and skin texture were also evaluated.Results: PDT with RT gel demonstrated good efficacy, non-inferior to ALA for acne treatment, with a significant reduction in acne lesion counts, severity grading, porphyrin, and sebum output. The pore size and skin texture were improved. Side-effects were minimal and well tolerated in all subjects.Conclusion: PDT therapy with RT gel is an effective alternative treatment for acne vulgaris.Keywords: acne vulgaris, photodynamic therapy, 5-aminolevulinic acid, riboflavin, tryptophan

Jitlada Meephansan,1 Atiya Rungjang,1 Werayut Yingmema,2 Raksawan Deenonpoe,3 Saranyoo Ponnikorn3 1Division of Dermatology, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand; 2Laboratory Animal Centers, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand; 3Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand Abstract: Wound healing consists of a complex series of convoluted processes which involve renewal of the skin after injury. ROS are involved in all phases of wound healing. A balance between oxidative and antioxidative forces is necessary for a favorable healing outcome. Astaxanthin, a member of the xanthophyll group, is considered a powerful antioxidant. In this study, we investigated the effect of topical astaxanthin on cutaneous wound healing. Full-thickness dermal wounds were created in 36 healthy female mice, which were divided into a control group and a group receiving 78.9 µM topical astaxanthin treatment twice daily for 15 days. Astaxanthin-treated wounds showed noticeable contraction by day 3 of treatment and complete wound closure by day 9, whereas the wounds of control mice revealed only partial epithelialization and still carried scabs. Wound healing biological markers including Col1A1 and bFGF were significantly increased in the astaxanthin-treated group since day 1. Interestingly, the oxidative stress marker iNOS showed a significantly lower expression in the study. The results indicate that astaxanthin is an effective compound for accelerating wound healing. Keywords: astaxanthin, wound healing, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant&nbsp