[Free and esterified epidermal cholesterol in psoriasis].

The levels of epidermal total, free and esterified cholesterol were studied in psoriatic patients. Lipids were isolated from the areas of psoriatic lesions and from the normally appearing epidermis by the authors' non-invasive surface extractive method. The quantity of cholesterol was given in microgram per square centimeter. Fifty six and 11 healthy persons were examined. The skin cholesterol levels were twice-four-fold higher in the patients than in the healthy subjects. The same levels were noted from the areas of lesion and from normally appearing epidermis. The proportion of an esterified fraction decreased mainly in the normally appearing epidermis areas, especially in severe psoriasis. The role of the findings was also discussed.