Study on the Pigment Producing Effect of Various Concentrations of Trimethylpsoralen in Topical Photochemotherapy

Park, Yoon Kee; Whang, Kyoo Cheon

Abstract

Topical photochemotherapy is effective for the treatment of vitiligo, However the effectiveness of photosensitizer, 4,5', 8-trimethyl-psoralen is not well known. For thesie reasons, we evaluated the pigment producing effect of various concentrations of TMP in fifty-six male black mice doing photochemotherapy. 1) The number of melanocytes according to the concentrations of TMP: The melanocytes were not increased in the control group. However, melanocytes were increased, in three TMP applied groups in the order of 0.1% 0.3% and 0.5% group at 1,2,3 weeks, respectively but the difference of melanocyte counts in the TMP applied groups was not remarkable at 4 weeks. 2) The area of melanocytes in relation to the concentrations of TMP: The area significantly increased from the second week of UVA exposure in the control group. There was marked increase in the area of the melanocytes in the TMP applied groups compared with those of control group in the order of 0. l%, 0, 3% and 0. 5% respectively. 3) The circumference of the melanocytes in relation to the Concentrations of TMP: Circumference of the control groups increased in proportion to the frequency of UVA exposure. TMP applied groups showed significant increase of the circumference compared that of the control group and generally increased in proportion to the increase in the concentration of TMP.