Interactions of sulfates of divalent metals in nickel-sulfate-sensitive patients

Abstract 70 nickel-sensitive subjects who previously gave positive patch test response lto 10 μl of nickel sulfate 0.1 M, were patch tested to 10 μl of mixed aqueous solutions containing nickel sulfate 0.1 M +magnesium sulfate 0.3 M, nickel sulfale 0.1 M+zinc sulfate, 0.3 and 0.5 M, respectively, nickel sulfate 0.1 M+ manganese sulphate 0.3 and 0.5 M, respectively nickel sulphate 0.1 M+ cadmium sulfate 0.1 and 0.3 M, respectively, nickel sulfate 0.1 M + iron sulfate (III) 0.1 and 0.3 M, respectively, and to 10 μl of aq. cadmium sulfate 0.1 M, aq. cadmium sulfate 0.3 M, aq. iron sulfate 0.1 M, aq. iron sulfate 0.3 M. The results showed that, whilst sulfates of divalent metals with similar size and redox properties (Mg, Zn and Mn) were able to reduce or to suppress, in a dose-dependent way, the majority (75%) of nickel reactions, those with large radius and different oxidation state(Fe III), generally gave an increase in the reactions. In about 15% of the tested subjects, an increase in all the positive reactions to the mixed solutions was found. The findings seem to demonstrate that in only a majority but not all of nickel sulfate allergic reactions, is Ni(II) able to substitute for divalent ions with similar properties at the ion sites of some proteins. This tendency reproduces the results of experimental systems, in which nickel toxicity and cancerogenity are considered responsible. In contrast, in about 15% of the tested subjects, there was a general enhancement of the reactions. In these cases, either the occurrence of a “hyper-irritable” skin caused by the adopted test system or, more likely, the formation of Ni complexes with different geometries, is hypothesized.     

化妆品皮炎的临床与化妆品的诱变性研究

目的：分析化妆品皮炎的临床特点，类型以及与化妆品诱变性之间的关系。方法：回顾性的分析本科近６年收集的７１例化妆品皮炎的临床资料。实验室检查采用斑贴试验和原噬菌体诱导法（ＳＯＳ试验）。结果：本且化妆品皮炎中染发皮炎４０例（５６．３３％）。其罕见的类型是染发后出现秃发和过敏性休克前躯症状各１例，有２例分别于染发皮炎愈后１个月和１年出现皮肌炎。结果临床资料和ＳＯＳ试验检测化妆品诱变性的结果，提示具有诱变     

Parallel intraindividual evaluation of the vasoconstrictory action and the anti-allergic activity of topical corticosteroids

Abstract The human skin blanching assay is a well established method for ranking the efficacy of corticosteroids after epicutaneous application. Vasoconstriction is a pharmacological activity, which correlates well with the clinical efficacy, the intensity of skin blanching after a single application under occlusion corresponding, generally, to the clinical efficacy after repealed application without occlusion. However, in studies dealing with the comparison between the vasoconstriction assay and the evaluation of the clinical effects on inflammatory skin diseases, some exceptions to this correlation have been reported. Therefore, in a pre-clinical phase, it would be useful to combine the blanching assay with at least one anti-inflammatory assay. In the present study the blanching assay and the allergic contact dermatitis inhibition test were performed in parallel, in order to compare the two testing procedures in the same group of subjects, utilizing standardized study designs supported by objective means of evaluation. Three commercial preparations of corticosteroids containing clobetasol propionate (CP), clobetasone butyrate (CB) and hydrocortisone acetate (HA), respectively, were employed both to treat nickel-induced positive patch test responses on the volar forearms, and to perform a vasoconstrictor assay on normal forearm skin in 16 nickel-sensitised healthy volunteers. For evaluating skin blanching, we employed colorimetric measurements, whereas for the quantitative determination of the inhibition of the intensity of allergic patch test reactions, 20 MHz B-scanning supported by image analysis was used. Both colorimetric and echogenicity values enabled us to distinguish between the three corticosteroids (at the 17 h evaluation and the 64 h assessment, respectively). A fair correlation was noted between colorimetric and echogenicity values. Both testing procedures ranked the three corticosteroids in the expected order. Corticosteroid preparations should be compared using methods which allow different effects to be simultaneously monitored, without involving a high number of patients. We are proposing this double procedure for the parallel intraindividual evaluation of the vasoconstrictory action and the anti-allergic activity of topical steroids.     

Nickel Sensitivity in Asthma Patients

Nickel sulphate frequently causes allergic contact dermatitis; less known effects are nasal inflammation (rhinitis) and bronchial asthma. In this study, we aimed to find if there is a relationship between asthma and nickel sensitivity. Asthmatic patient, non-asthmatic atopic, and healthy control groups were patch tested with nickel sulphate. Nickel sensitivity was more prevalent in the asthmatic patient group compared to the non-asthmatic atopic and healthy control groups.     

Allergic contact dermatitis from 1,6-diisocyanatohexane in an anti-pill finish

We report an outbreak of occupational allergic contact dermatitis from 1,6-diisocyanatohexane (old name hexamethylene diisocyanate or HDI), in the anti-pill finish Evafanol AS-1, in 2 clothing factories. The 19 operatives from 2 dressmaking mills all complained of work-related dermatitis. 5 of the subjects had positive patch tests to the fabric with which they were working, and when all 19 were patch tested to Evafanol AS-1 (1% aq.), 11 were positive. 6 of these 11 were patch tested to HDI (1% pet.) and all 6 were positive. It appears that HDI in our group of clothing workers acted as a potent sensitizer affecting around 10% of the workforce.