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- Title
In vitro tannin acantholysis.
- Authors
Brenner, Sarah; Ruocco, Vincenzo; Ruocco, Eleonora; Russo, Adolfo; Tur, Ethel; Luongo, Vincenza; Lombardi, Maria Luisa
- Abstract
Abstract Background Exogenous factors, such as certain drugs, may be involved in the induction of pemphigus. Other offenders sharing a similar chemical composition to these drugs may also play a role. Tannins with their considerable biologic activity were suggested as possible factors. To substantiate the role of tannins in the pathomechanism of pemphigus, the present study examined the acantholytic potential of tannins in vitro. Methods Normal human breast skin from patients without any bullous disease was cultured for 3 days in the presence of tannic acid at concentrations of 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mm. The effect of the tannic acid was microscopically examined in a blind fashion by three independent investigators. Results In addition to the cytotoxic effect, tannic acid caused marked acantholytic changes, with a clear suprabasal cleavage and intraepidermal acantholytic cells. The acantholytic changes were the most constant and specific effects. They were constantly observed at 1.0 and 2.0 mm, whereas lower concentrations showed changes only in some of the explants. The concentrations needed to exert this effect were notably low. There was a remarkable variability among the subjects who had provided the explants. Conclusions The results suggest a possible role of tannin in the disease process of pemphigus. The tannin acantholytic potential was much greater than the potential of known acantholytic drugs, such as penicillamine and captopril. The interindividual variability in susceptibility to acantholysis may explain the variability in the individual potential for developing pemphigus.
- Subjects
PEMPHIGUS; TANNINS; SKIN diseases; ETIOLOGY of diseases; PHYSIOLOGY
- Publication
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000, Vol 39, Issue 10, p738
- ISSN
0011-9059
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1046/j.1365-4362.2000.00938.x