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Plasminogen activators and antiplasmin activity in atopic dermatitis
T Lotti1, M L Battini, L Brunetti
1Department of Dermatology, University of Florence, Italy.
International Journal of Dermatology
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Atopic dermatitis involves altered fibrinolysis. Increased cutaneous fibrinolytic activity in the acute phase suggests inflammation amplification, while decreased activity in the chronic phase may cause fibrin deposits.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Hematology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
- The role of the fibrinolytic system in AD pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cutaneous and plasmatic fibrinolytic and antiplasmin activities in patients with atopic dermatitis.
- To correlate these activities with disease phases and clinical manifestations.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated fibrinogen activity, plasmatic fibrinolytic activity, and antiplasmin activity (alpha 2 macroglobulin, alpha 1 antitrypsin, antithrombin III).
- Compared 10 AD patients with a sex- and age-matched control group.
- Assessed activities in both acute and chronic lichenified phases of AD.
Main Results:
- Plasma fibrinolytic activity was significantly increased in the acute phase of AD (p < 0.05).
- Cutaneous fibrinolytic activity (CFA) was elevated in the acute phase in all assessed cases (5/5).
- CFA was decreased in the chronic lichenified phase in 3/5 cases, potentially leading to excessive fibrin deposition and correlating with the blanching phenomenon.
Conclusions:
- The fibrinolytic system plays a role in amplifying inflammation during the acute phase of atopic dermatitis.
- Reduced CFA in the chronic phase may contribute to fibrin deposition and associated vascular abnormalities.
- Antifibrinolytic therapy may be rational only during the acute phase of the disease.