Morphological and immunohistochemical changes on rat skin exposed to nitrogen mustard.

Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the mechanism of nitrogen mustard on skin.
Methods: Nitrogen mustard was applied on ventral skin of 30 rats. Sequential biopsies were taken during the postexposure period. Slides were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and keratin PAN and high molecular weight cytokeratin and keratin 5.
Results: The earliest findings are minimal polymorphonuclear leukocytes extravasation and edema. Heavy inflammation with formation of vesicles and bulla were present at 24 hours. At 6 hours, the upper epidermal cells showed weak staining with high molecular weight cytokeratin and keratin PAN. At 24 and 48 hours, only patchy areas of staining with high molecular weight cytokeratin and keratin 5 were present.
Conclusion: One of the major mechanisms of injury by nitrogen mustard may be the disruption of cytoskeletal filament network.