This study was undertaken to assess the amount of glycogen present in psoriasis vulgaris (PV), psoriasis erythrodermica (PE) and psoriasis pustulosa generalisata (PPG) lesions before and after photochemotherapy (PUVA). There were more deposits of glycogen in PPG than in PE and PV. With PUVA treatment, glycogen almost completely disappeared in PV and PE, but traces were still observed in PPG. After treatment, the epidermal layers returned to their normal structure but there was no significant improvement in the dilated and tortuous capillaries in the upper corium.

Capillaries↗

PubMed1977

Photochemotherapy in treatment of psoriatic variants.

Our procedure for treating psoriatic variants--psoriasis pustulosa generalisata (PPG) and psoriasis erythrodermica (PE)--was based on the following points: (a) to quickly obtain a good tolerance level to photochemotherapy (PUVA) by applying corticosteroids and/or methotrexate (MX); (b) to discontinue the application of systemic drugs with the help of photochemotherapy, and (c) to maintain the improved condition by applying radiation in gradually prolonged intervals, thus enabling the biologic forces of the organism to participate, undisturbed by drugs, in the healing process. In some PE cases, sole PUVA therapy was sufficient, while in others small doses of MX were added to maintain the improved condition. In PPG, skin manifestations completely disappeared and general symptoms were calmed in the first application of this combined therapeutic procedure. However, in the later relapses PUVA had little share in such a combined treatment.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1977

Ultrastructural features of psoralen plus black light induced successive changes in psoriatic cell.

Based on an ultramicroscopic investigation of the psoralen plus black light-induced photodynamic reaction in the psoriatic cell, there is evidence that the primary reaction takes place in the nuclei, which possess abundant nucleic acid. This initial reaction is manifested by a large vacuole situated in the nucleus. As the vacuole gradually enlarges, the nucleus becomes an annex to the vacuole, while the cytoplasm of the cell succumbs to the necrobiotic process.

Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed1976

Tonofilament-desmosome complex in induced regenerated epidermis in senile elastosis. An electron microscopic study.

This paper presents the ultramicroscopic structure of the epidermis in senile elastosis, and compares it with the structure of an induced regenerated specimen in the same layers. In the regenerated specimen it was found that tonofilament-desmosome complexes have been replaced by a regular twist of villous processes. Such a substitution influences the structure and function of keratinocytes. Newly-formed structures may be established even 10 years after the induction.

Aged↗

PubMed1976