This article[1] reiterates the role of antimicrobial peptides (AMP), the body’s innate antimicrobial system in the pathogenesis and management of acne. Yes, there is a paradox here! AMP because of its anti-p.acnes action may improve acne while its proinflammatory properties may worsen it. It is not known whether p.acnes indirectly causes inflammatory acne by promoting AMP production. The authors examines several endogenous AMPs and gets unduly enticed in this Chicken-Egg paradox making too many speculations. However the bottom line seems to be simple and straightforward: Structurally modified AMPs and AMPs from other species with less proinflammatory properties may be useful in acne. Full article is available from the cited URL.[1]
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| Acne vulgaris (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Here is a head-to-head comparison of three questionnaires to screen for psoriatic arthritis.[2] All three questionnaires (PEST, Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Screen (ToPAS) and PASE) were found to be effective for the purpose.
References:
1. Harder J, Tsuruta D, Murakami M, Kurokawa I. What is the role of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) in acne vulgaris? Exp Dermatol. 2013 Apr;p. n/a. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/exd.12159.
2. Coates LC, Aslam T, Al Balushi F, Burden AD, Burden-The E, Caperon AR, et al. Comparison of three screening tools to detect psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis (CONTEST study). The British journal of dermatology. 2013 Apr;168(4):802-807. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bjd.12190.
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Antimicrobial peptides hold promise as broad-spectrum alternatives to conventional antibiotics.