Video-optical monitoring of wheal and flare reactions

Background/aims: In order to monitor the dynamics of experimentally-induced cutaneous inflammation in humans, we developed an objective, computerized video-optical method for wheal and flare area determination.
Methods: The method was used for evaluation of PAF-acether-induced experimental inflammations on the volar aspect of the forearms of human volunteers. The study design was double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled. Repeated measurements can be performed, e.g., with intervals of 1 min to reveal the time-course of the inflammatory reaction. In the present study, the effect of topical application of creams containing 3 different concentrations of the putative anti-inflammatory drug sodium sucrose-sulphate (SoS) on cutaneous inflammation was investigated.
Results: 30 min after intracutaneous PAF-acether injection, a statistically significantly increased (p<0.05) wheal area was found in skin sites treated by either 1%, 3% and 9% SoS cream, whereas no influence of sucrose-sulphate could be demonstrated on the flare area. The reduction of the wheal area was significantly faster in the SoS-treated areas than in the placebo (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Computerized video-optical quantification of acute skin inflammatory reactions may be a suitable experimental tool for objective dynamic monitoring of both wheal and flare reactions and hence for quantification of the effect of anti-inflammatory drugs in humans. Topical application of SoS surprisingly increased PAF-acether-induced skin oedema (wheal), significantly whereas no effect was found on the flare reaction. No concentration-related effect of SoS could be shown.