DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more



Time course of 8-methoxypsoralen-induced skin photosensitization in PUVA-bath photochemotherapy.

Author(s): Reuther T, Gruss C, Behrens S, von Kobyletzki G, Neumann N, Lehmann P, Altmeyer P, Kerscher M

Affiliation(s): Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.

Publication date & source: 1997-10, Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed., 13(5-6):193-6.

In recent years PUVA-bath photochemotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment modality for several dermatoses. A limitation of PUVA-bath photochemotherapy has been the lack of guidelines for optimal performance, including the time course of photosensitization of the skin exposed to the 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) bath water solution. In the present study 12 healthy volunteers were exposed to a 20 min bath in 150 l of an 8-MOP water solution (0.5 mg/l, 37 degrees C). Immediately, as well as 1, 2, 3 and 5 h after the 8-MOP bath, irradiation was performed with increasing doses of UVA (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 J/cm2) on 2 cm2 test areas. The minimal phototoxic dose (MPD) was determined 72 h after the UVA exposure. In all volunteers, photosensitization was highest immediately after the bath, with a MPD significantly below 5 J/cm2 (0.5-2 J/cm2). One hour after the bath, erythema could be induced by 2 to 5 J/cm2 UVA. Two hours after the bath, erythema could be induced using irradiation of 5 J/cm2 only in two volunteers. Three and five hours after the 8-MOP bath, no erythema could be induced in any volunteer by UVA doses up to 5 J/cm2. Our results indicate that optimal bath-PUVA requires UVA irradiation immediately after the 8-MOP bath. Further, these results imply that no restrictions on further sun exposure are mandatory 3 h after the 8-MOP bath, thus allowing the patient to pursue normal life activities.

Page last updated: 2006-02-01

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017