Quantification of UV-induced erythema with a portable computer controlled chromameter.

A sensitive computer controlled tristimulus color analyzer (Minolta Chromameter II Reflectance) was used to measure UV-induced erythema quantitatively. Of the 5 available chromaticity measuring modes in the instrument, one of the values (a*) was enough to specify the erythema quickly. A comparison has been made between results using the instrument and a graded score based on visual perception of erythema. This easy to operate instrument is suitable for both clinical and field conditions.

Suppression of complement-mediated vascular injury at Arthus reaction sites by complement inhibitors.

Certain complement inhibitors, namely chlorpromazine, suramin, 2-hydroxystilbamidine and chlorophenothiazine sulphonate were tested for their ability to suppress complement deposition and vascular injury at the site of an Arthus reaction. Deposition of complement was suppressed in the order 2-hydroxystilbamidine greater than suramin greater than chlorpromazine. All the above mentioned four compounds strongly protected vascular injury as observed by electron microscopic studies. At Arthus reaction sites prepared without drug treatment venules ranged from normal to severely altered and damaged. Discontinuities in endothelial linings varied from small to longer stretches. In the latter situation remaining endothelial cells were degenerated and endothelial remnants did not have an intact basal lamina. After treatment with the above complement inhibitors, at arthus reaction sites some venules appeared normal, whereas others were altered but in all cases the endothelium and its basal lamina remained intact.

Immunologic and biochemical studies on a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum.

A patient with pyoderma gangrenosum without associated disease was studied. Routine investigations showed several abnormalities. High ESR, high alkaline phosphatase and glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) levels, low iron and iron binding capacity, altered protein spectrum, presence of Staphylococcus aureus and group G hemolytic streptococci in ulcer culture, higher than normal antistreptolysin titers in the serum, and perivascular infiltration in the skin. Biochemical investigations aimed at finding any excessive hydrolytic activity did not reveal the presence of neutral proteases in circulation leaked out from PMN-leukocytes or elsewhere. Lysozyme levels were higher than normal, amylase and lipase levels were normal and 5' nucleotidase levels were below normal range. TCA-soluble polypeptides were present in the serum at levels two times higher than those in normal individuals. Immunochemical investigations showed the absence of immune complexes in the serum but presence of high amounts of C-reactive protein. Total complement activity was higher than normal and so was C3c level. Clq, C4, and C3d levels were within normal range. Biologic studies showed the presence of a factor in patient serum that made guinea pig skin hard, painful, erythematous, and eventually hairless, but not necrotic. A similar factor was either absent in normal serum or present in very low concentration. After salazopyrine treatment, all the above mentioned abnormalities corrected except that 5' nucleotidase activity remained slightly lower than normal, alkaline phosphatase levels remained slightly higher than normal, and C-reactive protein levels remained very high, though lower than those during intense disease activity.

Microenema of 8-methoxypsoralen in photochemotherapy of psoriasis.

Reasonably high plasma levels were obtained 1/2 h after 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) administration by microenema. This method was used in photochemotherapy of psoriasis and reasonably good clinical results with no serious side effects were obtained. The advantages of this modality include noninvolvement of the upper gastrointestinal tract, high bioavailability of psoralen, peak levels at a predictable time, and rapid elimination of the drug.