Atopic dermatitis (AD), with the prevalence rate of around 10 to 15%, is characterized by an intensely pruritic skin lesions with typical distribution and morphology. Recently, AD is divided into extrinsic type (ADe) and intrinsic type (ADi) according to the laboratory findings and associated diseases. ADe is well-known for high IgE level, positive response to food- or aero-allergens, whereas ADi has clinically similar skin lesions and distribution patterns of AD with normal serum IgE levels, negative in vitro test for environmental or food allergens and without associated atopic diseases. To instrumentally evaluate the differences of skin involvement and functions between ADi and ADe, we checked the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), capacitance and pH in both types of childhood AD and age-matched control. The proportion of ADi was around 20% in all AD patients (10/51). Our experiment suggested possible differences between ADi and ADe. Antecubital fossa is a famous involvement site of childhood type of AD, where both types of AD patients showed higher TEWL and decreased capacitance. ADe patients showed increased TEWL in all sites and lower hydration in 4 sites, whereas ADi patients showed no significant differences of TEWL and hydration in forehead, cheek, and back of leg.
Adolescent ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Comparative Study ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/immunology ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/physiopathology ; Dermatitis, Atopic/classification ; Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology ; Dermatitis, Atopic/physiopathology* ; Electric Capacitance* ; Female ; Human ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Immunoglobulin E/immunology ; Male ; Skin/physiopathology* ; Water Loss, Insensible*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG) on allergy contact dermatitis (ACD) in mice.

METHODThe model of ACD was sensitized and challenged by 1% dinitrofluorobenzene(DNFB).48 SPF grade mice were divided into 6 groups randomly: a control group, a model group, three dosage groups and a positive group. The drug was injected through vena caudalis. The change of ear's swelling and the scores of ear's thickness and erythema of each mouse was observed. The level of INF-gamma, IgE, IL-4 in serum was detected by ELISA method. Then the pathologic change of mice ears was using HE staining examined under light microscope.

RESULTMgIG could decrease (P < 0.05) the ear's swelling, the scores of ear's thickness and erythema, and INF-gamma and IgE level in mice serum. It was observed that MgIG could significantly alleviate the infiltrate of inflam cell and the hemangiectasis in ear tissue.

CONCLUSIONCertain concentration of MgIG has significant therapeutic effect on ACD in mice. Therapeutic mechanism of MgIG may be relevant with the suppression of INF-gamma and IgE.

Animals ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Random Allocation ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; Triterpenes ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVESTo study the contact allergenic activities of trichloroethylene (TCE) and its three metabolites trichloroacetic acid, trichloroethanol and chloral hydrate.

METHODSA modified guinea pig maximization test (GPMT) was adopted. The skin sensitization (edema and erythema) was observed in trichloroethylene, trichloroacetic acid, trichloroethanol, chloral hydrate and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene.

RESULTSThe allergenic rate of TCE, trichloroacetic acid and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene was 71.4%, 58.3% and 100.0% respectively, and that of trichloroethanol and chloral hydrate was 0%. The mean response score of TCE, trichloroacetic acid and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene was 2.3, 1.1, 6.0 respectively. The histopathological analysis also showed an induction of allergenic transformation in guinea pig skin by both TCE and trichloroacetic acid.

CONCLUSIONTCE appears to be a strong allergen while trichloroacetic acid a moderate one. On the other hand, both trichloroethanol and chloral hydrate are weak sensitization potentials. Immunologic reaction induced by TCE might be postulated as the pathological process of this illness. Consequently, it is suggested that in the mechanism of Occupational Dermatitis Medicamentose-Like (ODML) induced by TCE, the chemical itself might be the main cause of allergy. As one of its metabolic products, trichloroacetic acid might be a subordinate factor.

Allergens ; toxicity ; Animals ; Chloral Hydrate ; toxicity ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; etiology ; immunology ; Dermatitis, Irritant ; etiology ; immunology ; Ethylene Chlorohydrin ; analogs & derivatives ; toxicity ; Guinea Pigs ; Skin ; drug effects ; immunology ; Toxicity Tests ; Trichloroacetic Acid ; toxicity ; Trichloroethylene ; metabolism ; toxicity

With recent progres ion in knowledge of immunology, the roles of eosinophils and basophils in immediate and delaye3 hypersnsitivity reatioons have been partly elucidated and generally they are known as marker cells in various allergic disorders. Changes in number of eosinophils and basophils in the infiltrates of the involved tissue or in circulating blood. in various allergic disordcrs have been reported by several investigators, however, there are only a fever ports about skin disorders, especially for basophils because staining and conting method of the basophils devcloped only recently by James and Moore. The present study has been performed to detect the alteration in absolute number of circulating eosinophils and basophils and to find out any correation between the changes of hoth cell numbers in various allergic dermatoses. A total of 84 pati,.nts with various allergic dermatoses and 50 healthy adults as control group were selected for this study at National Medical Center during the period of July to September 1976. The method of staining and counting of circulating eosinophils and basophils was essentially same with the originaI method of Randolph for eosinophils and James and Moore for basophils with only a minor modifications of both. All the blood specimens were taken between 9:00 and l2:00 a.m. and all the experiments were done within 6 hours after sampling. The results were as follows. 1. The mean value+1 S.D. for eosinophil, basophil and total leukocyte number in 50 normal control was 126.5+80.4, 31. 413.6, and 5,928.3+1,536.9, respectively. 2. In 20 cases of acute urticaria (duration of illness, less than 2 days), the mean value+1 S.D. for eosinophil, basophil, and total leukocyte number was 107.4+95.4, 9.3+7.3 and 9,620+3,240.5, respectively and the result showed a significant decrease of basophils(p<0.001). In 20 cases af chronic urticaria (duration of illness, more than 4 weeks and dermographism included), the mean value 1 S.D. for eosinophil, basophil and total leukocyte number was 237.3+202.9, 31.1+12.3 and 7,748.5+1,989,7, respect!vely and the result showed a significant increase of eosinophils(p<0.01). 4. In 15 cases of atopic dermatitis, the mean value+1 S.D. for eosinophil, basophil and total leukocyte number was 309.7+402.8, 28.8+16.5 and 7,694.5+3,221.9, respectively and the result showed a significant increase of eosinophils (p<0.01). 5. !n 10 cases of acute allergic contact dermatitis, the mean value+1 S.D. for eosinophil, basophil and total leukocyte number was 381.5+269.5, 53.6+34.0 and 7,979.4+1,126.0 respectively and the result showed a significant increase of eosinophils and basophils, respectively(p<0.001, p<0.0.1) 6. In 5 ceases of allergic drug eruption, the mcan value 1 S. D. for eosinophil, basophil and total leukocyte number was 520.0+367.5, 19.6+17.6 and 12,390+2,783.3, respectively and the result showed a significant in.rease of eosinophils (p<0. 001) and decrease of basophils. 7. In 10 cases of scabies, the mean value+1 S.D. for eosinophil, basophil and totai leukocyte number was 299.3+216.6, 30.4+11.5 and 8,081.6+3,304.4, respectively and the result showed a significant increase of eosinophils (p<0.01). 8. In 3 cases of tinea pedis with id eruption, the mean value+1 S.D. for eosinophil, basophil and total leukocyte number was 288.9+79.7, 29.6+5.2 and 8,916.7+2,739.2, respectively and the result shovred slight increase of eosinophils. 9. In order to observe the sequential changes in the number of circulating eosinophils and basophils, a patient with wart was sensitized and challenged with DNCB, and serial determinations were performed. During sensitization period the number of circulating eosinophils was not changed, but the basophils increased gradually, After spontaneous flare-up the number of eosinophils increased with the decrease toward normal of basophils. In the present study, we confirmed that the circulating eosinophils and basophils are definitely related to allergic dermatoses and found out the possibility that the difference in absolute number might be related to the causal agents and duration of disease.
Adult ; Allergy and Immunology ; Basophils* ; Cell Count ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dinitrochlorobenzene ; Drug Eruptions ; Eosinophils* ; Fever ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Research Personnel ; Scabies ; Skin ; Skin Diseases* ; Tinea Pedis ; Urticaria ; Warts

OBJECTIVETo investigate the immunological mechanism of allergic dermatitis induced by trichloroethylene (TCE).

METHODSThe guinea pig model of TCE-induced allergic dermatitis was established by Guinea pig Maximization Test. The effects of TCE and its metabolites on splenic lymphocytes of TCE-sensitized and non-sensitized guinea pig were detected by MTT assay.

RESULTSFor TCE-sensitized guinea pig, the survival rate of lymphocytes cultured with TCE (+S9) was significantly higher than that cultured with TCE (-S9) (83.0% +/- 3.4% vs 75.9% +/- 7.9%, P < 0.01), while, for normal animals, the survival rate of lymphocytes cultured with TCE (+S9) was significantly lower than that cultured with TCE (-S9) (63.4% +/- 8.4% vs 77.0% +/- 7.2%, P < 0.01). The survival rate of lymphocytes cultured with TCE (+S9) in TCE-sensitized animals was higher than that in normal animals (83.0% +/- 3.4% vs 63.4% +/- 8.4%, P < 0.05), but no statistically significant difference was found for TCE (-S9) (75.9% +/- 7.9% vs 77.0% +/- 7.2%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCytotoxicity of TCE to normal lymphocytes and proliferation of sensitized lymphocytes were enhanced by metabolic activation. The metabolites of TCE may act as effective immune hapten to stimulate the proliferation of hapten-specific lymphocytes in TCE-sensitized animals.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; etiology ; immunology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Male ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; drug effects ; Spleen ; drug effects ; immunology ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity

This study is to elucidate the immunoregulation mechanisms of artesunate (AST) on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Pharmacodynamics analyses, HE staining, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to explore the effects of AST on the related cytokines, transcription factor and signaling molecule of ACD respectively. The results indicated that topical administration of AST not only reduced the increase of ear swelling, spleen index and inflammatory cells infiltration in ACD mice, but also inhibited remarkably the expression of IFN-gamma, T-bet and NF-kappaB p65. It's suggested that AST could exhibit suppressive effects on inflammatory response and immune function of ACD, which indicates the possibility of developing AST as a novel immunoregulatory agent in the treatment of ACD and other immune-related diseases.
Administration, Topical ; Animals ; Artemisinins ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ear ; pathology ; Female ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; drug therapy ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Molecular Structure ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of panaxynol (PAN) on delayed type hypersensitivity and possible mechanism.

METHODAllergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was induced by DNCB as a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) model to observe effect of PAN on auricle inflammation including pathological injury. Proliferation of T lymphocytes was induced by ConA and measured by MTf method. IFN-gamma secretion of splenocyte induced by ConA was detected by ELISA.

RESULTThe swelling degree of auricle and pathological injury in ACD mice was reduced significantly by treated with PAN in induction phase. Proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by ConA in vitro was inhibited significantly by PAN, By contrast, no detectable effect was observed in resting splenocyte. IFN-y induced by ConA in splenocytes was inhibited markedly by PAN from 10 micromol x L(-1) and from 6 h.

CONCLUSIONThe results showed that DTH was inhibited by PAN mainly in induction phase and this effect may be related with the inhibition on T lymphocytes proliferation and secretion of IFN-gamma.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Concanavalin A ; metabolism ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Diynes ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Alcohols ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Interferon-gamma ; secretion ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Spleen ; drug effects ; pathology ; secretion ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; pathology