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Literature reports that patients affected by X-linked ichthyosis (XLI) have a reduction of sweat glands and a decrease of sweat production. The sweat physiology of 28 patients, 14 with XLI, 7 with lamellar ichthyosis, 7 with dominant ichthyosis and 28 control subjects were examined with sweat test, performed by pilocarpine iontophoresis. In the same patients we have performed skin biopsy to evaluate quantitative and qualitative reduction of sweat glands.

In six healthy volunteers the 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) plasma levels have been determined by high resolution liquid chromatography (HPLC) respectively 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes after the oral intake of an oral formulation of the drug (0.6 mg/kg b.w.). In order to evaluate the cutaneous photosensitivity, each subject has been exposed to UVA (wavelength 320-400-nm) at 15, 30, 60, 120, 150 minutes intervals from the 8-MOP intake. During each UVA exposure eight areas (1 cm in diameter) received 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 J/cm2. The results show that the lowest MPD is achieved from 30 and 60 minutes after the highest plasma level of the 8-MOP.

Background: Our surroundings are full of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of different frequency and power. The non-ionizing EMRs emitted by television, computer and cellular phone (CF) sets have been increasing over the past few years. Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the effects of non-ionizing EMRs (frequency 3 × 108 to 3 × 1011 Hz), emitted by CFs, on cutaneous blood flow in healthy volunteers. Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers (14 male and 16 female; age: 18–53 years) entered the study. Measurements of cutaneous blood flow were taken under standard conditions (temperature and humidity), using a laser Doppler He-Ne flowmeter that was applied to the ear skin by an optical fibre probe. Microflow values were recorded without CF contact with the skin (T₀), with the CF turned off but in contact with the ear skin (T1), with CF contact and turned on (T2), with CF contact, turned on and receiving (T3). The microflow values were also recorded backwards: with CF contact and set turned on (T4), with CF contact and turned off (T5), without CF contact (T6). Results: The mean value of basal microflow (T₀), expressed as perfusion units (PU), was 51.26 ± 11.93 PU. During the T1 phase, the microflow increase was 61.38%; in T2 it was 131.74%, in T3 157.67%, in T4 139.21% and in T5 122.90%; in T6, the microflow value was 57.58 ± 10 PU (similar to the basal microflow). Statistically significant cutaneous microflow values (p < 0.050) were observed comparing the T1 to T5 values with basal microflow (T₀). Furthermore, in comparison with T1 values (CF turned off in contact with the ear skin), the T2, T3 and T4 data were statistically significant (T2 vs. T1: t = 7.763 with p < 0.050; T3 vs. T1: t = 9.834 with p < 0.050; T4 vs. T1: t = 8.885 with p < 0.050).

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) is an alternative tool for the treatment of superficial non-melanoma skin cancers. Recently ALA-PDT has been employed with encouraging results also for warts, condylomata and psoriasis. In this study the effects of topical ALA plus irradiation with visible light on intact human skin have been evaluated. Five skin areas (A, B, C, D, and E) on the inner upper part of the arms of five healthy volunteers (skin types III and IV) were treated with (A) ALA 20% in base cream without irradiation, (B) only the vehicle (base cream) without ALA, (C, D and E) ALA cream at the concentrations of 5, 10 and 20%, respectively; all treatments were applied with an occlusive dressing. Four hours after ALA or vehicle application areas B, C, D and E were irradiated with a fixed dose of 40 J/cm 2 . ALA penetration through the intact skin was evaluated by in vivo fluorescence determination. The effects on healthy skin were evaluated by clinical and chromometric examinations, light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Results: (1) in vivo fluorescence demonstrated that ALA is able to penetrate through the intact skin, when applied with occlusive dressing and induces a classical fluorescence peak due to Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) formation, which is the active photosensitiser. (2) Skin areas receiving ALA plus irradiation showed erythema and swelling just after the irradiative session and hyperpigmentation 48–72 h later. (3) Colourimetric data confirmed significant skin colour changes: values a * (representing the erythematous changes) increased only on the skin areas where ALA+irradiation were applied and during the 48 h after irradiation, thereafter a * began to decrease; values L * (pigmentation) increased during the 2 weeks following treatment. (4) Histopathological, immunohistochemical (S100, HMB-45) and electron microscopic findings showed an absolute increment of the number of melanocytes, which appeared clearly activated. In conclusion the application of ALA cream followed by irradiation is able to induce a pigmentation response in healthy human skin, at least in skin types III and IV. This melanocytic activation could have a potential for the treatment of skin disorders characterised by hypopigmentation.

Background: Port-wine stains (PWSs) are characterized by an increased number of ectatic vessels. The treatment of choice is the use of some lasers such as pulsed dye lasers. However, some lesions are nonresponsive to laser treatment. Perhaps the vessels’ depth and diameter and the thickness of the vessel wall are important factors influencing the effectiveness of the laser treatment. Methods: To investigate whether epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) could be useful in determining the effectiveness of laser treatment of PWSs, we studied a group of patients with PWSs using both ELM and histological analysis. Results: A correlation existed between a gray-whitish veil seen by ELM and the vessel depth judged by histology: when the veil was absent, the vessels were always found to be located only in the upper third of the dermis. Conclusion: We think that the gray-whitish veil is a distinctive dermoscopic feature that is able to differentiate between superficial vessels (absence of veil) and deeper vessels (presence of veil).