Basis of occlusive therapy in psoriasis: Correcting defects in permeability barrier and calcium gradient

Sang Min Hwang, Sung Ku Ahn, Gopinathan K. Menon, Eung Ho Choi, Seung Hun Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Although occlusive dressings have great potential in the management of psoriasis vulgaris, the therapeutic mechanism is not completely understood. Occlusion artificially restores and corrects the defective barrier in psoriasis plaques. Additionally, occlusion is know to normalize the epidermal calcium gradients in hyperproliferative murine skin models. Methods: To investigate the basis of the therapeutic effect of occlusion on psoriatic plaques, we investigated the ultrastructural morphology of intercorneocyte lipid layers, lamellar bodies, and calcium gradient in chronic plaque-type psoriasis after occlusion with a water vapor-impermeable membrane. The specimens were processed for electron microscopy using: (i) ruthenium tetroxide postfixation; and (ii) ion-capture cytochemistry for calcium localization. Results: Occlusion for 7 days resulted in a nearly mature pattern of intercellular multilamellar structures, re-establishment of the near-normal epidermal calcium gradient, and disappearance of calcium precipitates from the stratum corneum interstices. Conclusions: The normalization of the permeability barrier and epidermal calcium gradient may play important roles in the therapeutic effects of occlusive dressings in chronic plaque-type psoriasis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)223-231
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Dermatology
Volume40
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Dermatology

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