A possible role for superoxide production in the pathogenesis of contact dermatitis
Sharkey, P.; Eedy, D.J.; Burrows, D.; McCaigue, M.D.; Bell, A.L.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica 71(2): 156-159
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5555 PMID: 1675528 Document Number: 372833
Superoxide generation by blood monocytes was examined in patients with irritant, nickel, and chromate hand determatitis. Phorbol myristate acetate stimulated monocytes generated significantly more superoxide in patients with nickel dermatitis, as did patients with hand eczema generally. No significant stimulation of monocyte superoxide generation occurred with either opsonized zymosan or PMA in the presence of excess superoxided dismutase in any of the groups of hand dermatitis. The results indicate a biochemical stimulation of superoxide which may accentuate the immunological damage in the skin that is observed in nickel and perhaps chromate dermatitis.