Aim: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Vitamin C and vitamin E are known to react with reactive oxygen species (ROS) blocking the propagation of radical reactions in a wide range of oxidative stress situations. The potential therapeutic efficacy of antioxidants in NAFLD is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of antioxidant drugs (vitamin C or vitamin E) in its prevention.Methods: Fatty liver disease was induced in Wistar rats by choline-deficient diet for four weeks. The rats were randomly assigned to receive vitamin E (n = 6) -(200 mg/day), vitamin C (n = 6) (30 mg/Kg/day) or vehicle orally. Results:In the vehicle and vitamin E-treated rats, there were moderate macro and microvesicular fatty changes in periportal area without inflammatory infiltrate or fibrosis. Scharlach stain that used for a more precise identification of fatty change was strong positive. With vitamin C, there was marked decrease in histological alterations. Essentially, there was no liver steatosis, only hepatocellular ballooning. Scharlach stain was negative. The lucigenin-enhanced luminescence was reduced with vitamin C (1080 ± 330 cpm/mg/minx10 3 ) as compared to those Vitamin E and control (2247 ± 790; 2020 ± 407 cpm/mg/minx10 3 , respectively) (p < 0.05). Serum levels of aminotransferases were unaltered by vitamin C or vitamin E.Conclusions: 1) Vitamin C reduced oxidative stress and markedly inhibited the development of experimental liver steatosis induced by choline-deficient diet ; 2)Vitamin E neither prevented the development of fatty liver nor reduced the oxidative stress in this model.

1) Nonalcoholic steatosis, steatohepatitis and cirrhosis were identified in substantial numbers of morbidly obese patients; 2) Concentration of hydroperoxides was increased in steatohepatitis, consistent with a pathogenetic role for oxidative stress in this condition.

BACKGROUND: Progressive macular hypomelanosis is a common dermatosis in various continents. Its cause is unknown and proposed treatments have had little effect. OBJECTIVES: To determine epidemiological aspects of progressive macular hypomelanosis in patients referred to a phototherapy clinic between 1997 and 2008 and to evaluate therapeutic response to PUVA (psoralen + UVA) photochemotherapy or narrowband UVB phototherapy. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with progressive macular hypomelanosis were evaluated. After 16 phototherapy sessions, therapeutic response was classified as: unchanged, slightly improved (<50% of repigmentation), moderately improved (50-79% of repigmentation), much improved (80-99%) or cured (100%). After a minimum of three months, patients whose response was classified as cured or much improved were contacted by telephone to evaluate the persistence of the therapeutic response. RESULTS: Most of the patients were women (79%) and white (85%). Age at onset of progressive macular hypomelanosis ranged from 13 to 36 years. PUVA was prescribed for 27 patients and narrowband UVB phototherapy for 57. No significant difference was found between the outcomes obtained with PUVA and those obtained with narrowband UVB phototherapy (Fisher's exact test; p<0.05). The majority of patients (81%) had 50% or more repigmentation, with 65% being classified as cured or much improved. Nevertheless, there was a recurrence of the lesions in 72% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that no patients were over 40 years of age suggests that progressive macular hypomelanosis is a self-limiting disease. Both PUVA and narrowband UVB are effective therapeutic options; however, they do not prevent recurrence of the disease. Keywords: Phototherapy; Pigmentation disorders; Therapeutics Resumo: FUNDAMENTOS: A hipomelanose macular progressiva é uma dermatose comum em diferentes continentes. Sua causa é desconhecida e os tratamentos propostos são pouco eficazes. OBJETIVOS: Determinar aspectos epidemiológicos da hipomelanose macular progressiva em pacientes atendidos num setor de fototerapia, no período de 1997 a 2008, e avaliar a resposta terapêutica com PUVA ou UVBNB. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 84 pacientes com Hipomelanose Macular Progressiva. Após 16 sessões de fototerapia, a resposta terapêutica foi definida: I=inalterado, MD=melhora discreta(< 50% de repigmentação), MM=melho-ra moderada(50-79%), MI=melhora intensa(80-99%) e C=cura(100%). Após um tempo mínimo de três meses, pacientes com cura ou MI foram contatados por telefone para avaliar a manutenção do resultado terapêutico. RESULTADOS: Predominaram mulheres (79%) e a cor branca. A idade mínima de aparecimento da Hipomelanose Macular Progressiva foi de 13 anos e a máxima de 36 anos. Fototerapia com PUVA foi indicada em 27 pacientes e UVBNB em 57. Estatisticamente, não houve diferença significante entre o tratamento com PUVA e UVBNB (teste de Fisher P>0.05). A maioria (81%) dos pacientes obteve 50% ou mais de repigmentação e 65% tiveram cura ou MI. Entretanto, 72% apres...

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BACKGROUND -Hemangiomas are benign proliferations of endothelial tissue. They are the most common tumors of childhood and the majority has typical presentation and growth patterns. OBJECTIVES -To report the experience of the Outpatients Clinic of Pediatric Dermatology of the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo regarding presentation, progression and treatment of hemangiomas in childhood and to correlate them with literature data. METHODS -We retrospectively evaluated 40 cases of hemangioma seen between March 1994 and November 2004, through analysis of medical and photographic records. RESULTS -There was a predominance of females -3:1 -and white patients (75%). Hemangiomas were present at birth in 77% of patients. In 85% of cases, the lesions were single and the majority was located in the head and neck (57%). The conservative management was adopted in most cases and the follow-up of patients showed involution of lesions started before 12 months of age in 65% of cases. The complete resolution occurred up to 3 years of age in 50% of patients, up to 6 years in 58%, up to 9 years in 83%, and up to 11 years in 100%. CONCLUSION -Our cases are similar to those in the international literature in terms of gender and ethnicity, number and location of hemangiomas, although we have a higher percentage of lesions seen at birth. Keywords: Clinical evolution; Epidemiologic studies; Hemangioma Resumo: FUNDAMENTOS -Os hemangiomas, proliferações benignas do tecido endotelial, são os tumores mais comuns da infância, e a maioria possui apresentação e crescimento típicos. OBJETIVOS -Relatar a experiência do Ambulatório de Dermatologia Infantil do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo em relação à apresentação, evolução e ao tratamento dos hemangiomas da infância, correlacionando-os com dados da literatura. MÉTODOS -Foram avaliados retrospectivamente, mediante análise de prontuários e registros fotográficos, 40 casos de hemangiomas atendidos no período de março de 1994 a novembro de 2004. RESULTADOS -Houve predomínio do sexo feminino na razão de 3:1, e maior número de pacientes brancos (75%