BACKGROUND: The action of ultraviolet rays on DNA causes the main photobiologic response of cells to ultraviolet rays. To study this effect, tritiated thymidine autoradiography was used. Recently 5-bromo-2deoxyuridine(BrdU), an analogue of thymidine, immunohistochemistry has been developed and is used in the detection of synthetic phase cells. Compared to autoradiography, there are several advantages of BrdU immunohistochemistry; a shorter processing time, no requirement of specific facilites. PUVA, the combination method of UVA and Psoralen has lots of photobiologic effects. OBJECTIVE: Using Brdu immunohistochemistry, the effect of PUVA on the DNA synthesis of tape stripped mouse epdermis was studied. METHOD: Mice stripped by adhesive tape for enhancing DNA synthesis were injected intraperitoneally with 50mg/kg of BrdU immediately after stripping and at 6, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 48 hours after tape stripping for decision of the time for PUVA. The skin diopsies were taken and the specimens were stained by BrdU immunohistochemistry. Single systemic PUVA exposure was performed on the stripped epidermis in peak synthetic time after tape stripping. The irradiation dose of UVA was 5J/cm(2). 8-MOP was administered at 90 minutes before UVA irradiation via a feeding tube with the dose of 16mg/kg. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50mg/kg of BrdU immediately after PUVA and at 12, 24, 48, 72 hours, and 7 days after PUVA. The skin biopsies were taken and the specimens were stained by BrdU immunohistochemistry. Positively labeled cells were counted per 5mm epidermis. RESULT: The results can be summerized as follows : 1. The mean numbers of BrdU labeled cells of each groups according to time after tape stripping were 11.0+/-4.4 at immediate, 24.0+/-9.7 at 6 hours 31.4+/-18.1 at 12 hours, 55.0+/-16.1 at 14 hors, 25.8+/-9.7 at 16 hors, 44.2+/-15.7 at 18 hors, 47.6+/-15.6 at 20 hors, 33.4+/-12.3 at 22 hors, 38.0+/-16.3 at 24 hors, and 22.0+/-8.2 at 48 hors group. The mean number of BrdU labeled cells was observed at 14 hors after tape stripping (p<0.05). So by tape stripping DNA synthesis was enhanced maximally at 14 hours after tape stripping. 2. The man numbers of BrdU labeled cells of each groups according to time after PUVA were 11.0+/-7.5 at immediate, 32.2+/-13.2 at immediate, 32.2+/-13.2 at 6hors, 26.4+/-13.4 at 24 hours, 18.0+/-3.4 at 48 hours, 40.3+/-8.3 at 72 hours, and 27.8+/-11.0 at 7 days group. The lowest number of BrdU labeled cells was observed immediately after PUVA(p<0.05). The decreasein the number of BrdU labeled cells significantly persisted 48 hours after PUVA(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis of PUVA might be sustained 48 hours after PUVA. DNA synthesis was recovered at 72 hours after PUVA and sustained for 7 days.
Adhesives ; Animals ; Autoradiography ; Biopsy ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; DNA* ; Epidermis ; Ficusin ; Immunohistochemistry* ; Methoxsalen ; Mice ; Skin ; Thymidine ; Ultraviolet Rays

index (%) in unirradiated mouse skin was 11.0+/-4.3. LI was significantly increased by tape stripping to 22.1+/-4.6. 2. The number of SBC in 1cm epidermis after 50mJ/cm UVB exposure was 28.2+/-4.1. The number of SBC was increased by tape stripping to 57.4+Cell proliferation, by evaluating sunburn cell (SBC) formation, was studied in mouse skin following tape stripping and ultraviolet light B (UVB) exposun.. 1-radiation was achieved using high pressure mercury are UVB. The results are summarized as follows. 1. Labeling 19.2. These results suggest that proliferating cells are more sensitive to UVB exposure.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation* ; Epidermis ; Mice ; Skin ; Sunburn* ; Ultraviolet Rays

We report a case of anosacral cutaneous amyloidosis in a 74 year-old-man. The skin finding is a patch of the size of a childs palm on the sacral area, consisting of brownish macular lines that radiate frorn the anus. Histopathology revealed defiosits of homogenous eosinophilic mateial s in the papillary dermis. Congo red staining and dylon staining was positive. Immuohistochemical staining using anti SAP antibodies and anti-keratin antibodies showed positive reactions.
Amyloidosis* ; Anal Canal ; Antibodies ; Child ; Congo Red ; Dermis ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Pruritus, which is a frequent accompanying symptom of dermatological diseases, is also common during pregnancy, either localized or generalized. It may be related to specific dermatoses of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: A clinical study was performed to know the exact nature of pruritus in pregnancy. METHODS: Subjects with systemic diseases, or laboratory abnormalities were excluded. People who have had pruritic dermatologic diseases before pregnancy were also excluded. One hundred and fifty five pregnant women were interviewed with physical examinations and followed up to the date of delivery. Pruritus was graded. RESULTS: Pruritus was present in 31.6%. Most affected subjects had mild or moderate severity. The abdomen was the most common site. There was a tendency for the duration of itching to increase with the duration of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Conclusion: These findings may provide basic and useful data on pruritus during pregnancy.
Abdomen ; Clinical Study* ; Female ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Pruritus* ; Skin Diseases

No abstract available.
Blood Pressure* ; Child* ; Humans ; Seoul*

Erythromelalgia is a rare disease characterized by burning pain of the extremities associated with erythema and increased temperature of the skin. A case of erythromelalgia was reported with review of literatures. It seemed that this is the first reported case in Korean literatures. patient was 12 years old male having erythematous swelling associated with burning pain on his feet and lower legs for five years. Immersion of his feet in warm water quickly, increased the pain but cold water gave prompt relief that he soaked his feet for many hours during the day and night. No specific abnormalities were noticed in Iaboratory studies, Treatment with various topical, systemic medication revealed of unfavorable result.
Burns ; Child ; Erythema ; Erythromelalgia* ; Extremities ; Foot ; Humans ; Immersion ; Leg ; Male ; Rare Diseases ; Skin ; Water

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus is a papulosquarnous disease characterized by pruritic violaceous papules most commonly an the extremities of middle-aged adults. It may or may not be accompanied by oral and genital mucous membrane involvement. Its course is generally self-limited for a period of several months to years, but it may last indefinitely. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to find the clinical characteristics of lichen planus. METHODS: Thirty-five cases of lichen planus comfirrned clinically and histopathologically were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidenc of lichen planus was 0.073% of the total number of dermatologic patients. The age distribution was in the range of 14-63 years old being most prevalent in the 6th decade and there was ariequal sex ratio. The most common site of involvement was the mucous membrane, and the extremities were more common than the trunk. Pruitus or pain and discomfort developed in 28 pat,ients(80% ). In most cases, the treatment was topical corticosteroid and antihistamine. Sixteen cses improved within 1 month to 2 years. Five cases recurred in the improved cases. CONCLUSION: The clinical analysis of 35 patients with lichen planus was performed. The incidence of lichen planus was 0.073% of the total number of dermatologic patients. Males and females were equally affected Mucous membrane involvement was detected in 21 patients(60%).
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lichen Planus* ; Lichens* ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Sex Ratio

BACKGROUND: There is concem about the rising incidence of skin cancer. However, few articles have reported the change in the clinical and epidemiological aspects of skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study in order to clarifiy the recent changes in cutaneous premalignant and malignant lesions. METHODS: A statistical analysis was made using 101 cases of cutaneous premalignant lesions and 205 cases of ma]ignant tumors out of a total number of 20,175 new outpatients that visited the Department of Dermatology at the Seoul National University Hospital during a 6 year period(1990-1995). RESULTS: The frequency of premalignant lesions was 0.50% and that of malignant tumors was 1.02%. The frequency showed an increasing tendency compared to previous reports. In the premalignant lesion cases, actinic keratosis was most common and represented a figure of 82.2%. Among the malignant tumors, basal cell carcinoma was most frequent at 24.4%. Age, sex and anatomical site distribution of basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma was no different. The mean age of squamous cell carcinoma was greater than in previous reports and main preceding lesions were actinic keratosis and cheilitis. The frequency of lymphoma was markedly increased but the reason for this remains to be determined. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed the continous increasing incidence of skin cancers and emphasize the need for public eduacation, early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cheilitis ; Dermatology ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Keratosis, Actinic ; Lymphoma ; Melanoma ; Outpatients ; Seoul ; Skin Neoplasms ; Statistics as Topic*

BACKGROUND: Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus(CCLE) is a well-known disease entity. But there has been no data about its clinical behavior and histopathologic features in Korea. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to elucidate the clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic features of CCLE, and the relationship between CCLE and SLE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated 48 cases of CCLE that visited the department of dermatology at the Seoul National University Hospital from January 1990 to June 1997. Medical records and biopsy slides were reviewed.
Biopsy ; Dermatology ; Korea ; Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous* ; Medical Records ; Seoul

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic drug used in the treatement of edema and hypertension. We report a case of hydrochlorothiazide induced photosensitivity in a 54 year old woman who had taken hydrochlorothiazide for 3 years for hypertension. She complained of itching and burning sensation with erythematous papules and lichenified plaques on light-exposed areas. Fhototest showed marked decrease of the minimal erythema dose(MED) for UVA. The symptoms subsided after the use of topical steroid and the substitution atenolol for hydrochlorothiazide.
Atenolol ; Burns ; Edema ; Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrochlorothiazide* ; Hypertension ; Middle Aged ; Pruritus ; Sensation