Related Experiment Videos
Psoralen-UVA-treated psoriatic lesions. Ultrastructural changes.
Archives of Dermatology
|May 1, 1978
Summary
Psoralen-ultraviolet light (PUVA) therapy for psoriasis causes early skin cell changes that resolve with treatment. Long-term PUVA shows dermal abnormalities but no epidermal keratinocyte issues, suggesting a slow-dose regimen is effective and safe.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Photobiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
- Psoralen-ultraviolet light (PUVA) therapy is a common treatment for psoriasis.
- Understanding PUVA's ultrastructural effects is crucial for optimizing treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural changes in psoriatic lesions treated with PUVA.
- To evaluate the effects of short-term and long-term PUVA therapy on skin.
- To determine an optimal and safe PUVA treatment regimen.
Main Methods:
- Biopsies of psoriatic lesions from patients undergoing PUVA therapy.
- Transmission electron microscopy to examine epidermal and dermal ultrastructure.
- Correlation of ultrastructural findings with clinical improvement and treatment duration.
Main Results:
- Early PUVA treatment induced sunburn cells in the epidermis and giant cells in the dermis.
- These early changes subsided as clinical improvement occurred.
- Long-term therapy revealed dermal perivascular amorphous substance and epidermal melanocyte abnormalities (clustering, giant cells, melanization) and hyperkeratosis.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose initiation and slow increment of 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA may be a reasonable regimen for psoriasis.
- This gradual approach allows the skin to adapt, potentially enhancing protection.
- Satisfactory therapeutic results can be achieved with a slow-dose schedule, similar to high-dose schedules.