Melanin-related metabolites as markers of the skin pigmentary system.

Three different groups of chemical intermediates are known to be formed during the synthesis of melanin in melanocytes: phenolic compounds, phenolic thio-conjugates, and indolic compounds. All these substances and their metabolites can be detected in urine. We measured the urinary excretion of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa), 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD), and 2 indolic compounds, namely 5-hydroxy-6-methoxyindole (5H6MI) and 5-hydroxy-6-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (5H6MI2C) in urine samples of 4 groups of people with different contents of cutaneous melanin: Asian group, white group, and 2 groups of whites 1 with vitiligo and 1 with tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism.

Controlled double-blind trial of fibrinolysin-desoxyribonuclease (Elase) solution in patients with chronic leg ulcers who are treated before autologous skin grafting.

A controlled, randomized, double-blind trial was performed in 34 hospitalized patients with chronic leg ulcers: 37 ulcerous legs were treated with Elase solution or with saline (placebo) solution. Elase was statistically significantly better in effect on debridement (p less than 0.05) and on enhancing of granulation (p less than 0.

In vitro dissolution rates of six 8-methoxypsoralen formulations.

Dissolution rates in water of six oral 8-methoxypsoralen formulations were determined with both the rotating basket method and a column type flow-through method. Comparable and reproducible results were obtained with both methods. In view of the necessity in psoralen-UVA (PUVA) therapy that effective tissue concentrations of the drug be present in the skin during the irradiation period, we propose a requirement for a dissolution rate of 8-MOP tablets or capsules of at least 80% within 25 min.