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Microprobe analysis of chlorpromazine pigmentation.
T L Benning1, K M McCormack, P Ingram
1Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
Archives of Dermatology
|October 1, 1988
Summary
This study details chlorpromazine pigmentation, identifying golden-brown granules in skin biopsies. These granules, containing sulfur, suggest the drug or its metabolite causes the observed pigmentation.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Chlorpromazine, an antipsychotic medication, can cause characteristic skin pigmentation.
- Understanding the precise nature of this pigment is crucial for diagnosis and patient management.
Observation:
- Skin biopsy revealed golden-brown pigment granules in the dermis, primarily around blood vessels.
- Histochemical stains showed positive results for silver-reducing substances (Fontana-Masson) but negative for iron (Perl's stain).
- Electron microscopy identified dense inclusion bodies, termed "chlorpromazine bodies," within various dermal cells and extracellularly.
Findings:
- Chlorpromazine bodies were dense even without staining, indicating their intrinsic nature.
- Microprobe analysis detected a significant sulfur peak within these bodies.
- The presence of sulfur strongly suggests the inclusion of chlorpromazine or its metabolites.
Implications:
- This research clarifies the ultrastructural and chemical basis of chlorpromazine-induced skin pigmentation.
- The findings aid in differentiating drug-induced pigment from other dermatoses.
- Identifying drug metabolites within pigment provides insights into the pharmacokinetics and toxicology of chlorpromazine.