Hemidesmosomal molecular changes in dermatitis herpetiformis; decreased expression of BP230 and plectin/HD1 in uninvolved skin.

Recent BP230-knockout experiments with subsequent blistering and recently identified plectin/HD1 mutations in epidermolysis bullosa simplex patients suggest that defective expression of BP230 and plectin/HD1 may predispose to blister formation in human skin. We have studied the expression of the epithelial adhesion complex as well as the basement membrane and anchoring fibril antigens in uninvolved dermatitis herpetiformis skin to find out if alterations can be detected in these structures predisposing to the blister formation typical of the disease. Ten uninvolved dermatitis herpetiformis skin specimens, which all showed clear granular deposits of IgA under the basement membrane in direct immunofluorescence and five normal skin specimens, were studied by indirect immunofluorescence technique. Six uninvolved dermatitis herpetiformis skin specimens showed distinctly decreased immunoreaction for BP230 and four uninvolved dermatitis herpetiformis skin specimens showed distinctly decreased immunoreaction for plectin/HD1. All five skin controls showed strong immunoreactions for BP230 and plectin/HD1. Other hemidesmosomal proteins including BP180 and integrin alpha6beta4, as well as basement membrane proteins laminin-5, laminin-1, nidogen and type IV collagen, and the anchoring fibril protein type VII collagen showed a normal strong expression. Our results suggest that alterations in BP230 and plectin/HD1 may contribute or predispose to blister formation in dermatitis herpetiformis skin.

Androgenic-anabolic steroid effects on serum and skin surface lipids, on red cells, and on liver enzymes.

The effects of large doses of testosterone and anabolic steroids on the serum lipids and skin surface lipids were studied during a 12-week strength training period. Decreased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) (P less than 0.001) and elevated serum triglyceride (P less than 0.05) levels were found at the same time with an elevated skin surface lipid cholesterol level. The erythropoiesis and function of the liver were only slightly stimulated. These abnormalities were assumed to be a direct effect of the testosterone and anabolic steroids.

The effect of testosterone and anabolic steroids on the skin surface lipids and the population of Propionibacteria acnes in young postpubertal men.

The effect of testosterone and anabolic steroids on skin surface lipids and the population of Propionibacteria acnes (P. acnes) was studied in power athletes. The subjects used self-administered high doses of testosterone and anabolic steroids during a 12-week strength training period. After 8 weeks' use of hormones the amount of dissolved skin surface lipids (SSL), and the Colony Forming Units/cm2 (CFU/cm2) of P. acnes had increased (p less than 0.01). The percentage values of dissolved SSL constituents changed. The cholesterol (CHO) and also the relative values of free fatty acids (FFA) increased. SSL constituents obtained by collection on absorbent paper likewise changed the dissolved constituents. It was concluded that high doses of testosterone and anabolic steroids may increase the SSL, the P. acnes population, and the percentage of the CHO and FFA of the skin surface lipids in healthy young men.

Effect of testosterone and anabolic steroids on the size of sebaceous glands in power athletes.

The effect of testosterone and anabolic steroids on the size of sebaceous glands was studied by means of interactive morphometry in skin biopsies of power athletes. The subjects used self-administered high doses of testosterone and anabolic steroids during a 4-week strength training period. After 4 weeks' use of hormones, the area of sectioned sebaceous glands enlarged significantly by a factor of 89.2% (p less than 0.005). The number of cells in the so-called differentiating cell pool (DCP) and in the undifferentiated cell pool (UCP) also increased significantly (p less than 0.025, p less than 0.05, respectively). The size of the area occupied by UCP cells increased significantly (p less than 0.05). The study suggests that high doses of testosterone and anabolic steroids lead to an enlargement of sebaceous glands in male power athletes.

Effect of androgenic and anabolic steroids on the sebaceous gland in power athletes.

The effect of androgenic and anabolic steroids on sebaceous gland activity and the composition of sebum was studied in power athletes. The subject self-administered large doses of androgenic and anabolic hormones during a 12-week-period of strength training. After 4 weeks of administration of hormones the sebum excretion rate increased significantly (p = 0.002) and it remained high throughout the period of exogenous steroid use. The amounts of cholesterol were significantly increased during that period. There were no differences in the amounts of the following lipid groups; free fatty acids, squalen, triglycerides, wax esters, diglycerides and paraffins. It was concluded that large doses of androgenic and anabolic steroids lead to an increase in sebum output in healthy young adult males.