Histopathology of Psoriasis Treated With Zinc Pyrithione

Abstract

Psoriasis is still a relatively poorly understood inflammatory dermatosis that is resistant to many therapies. Because the pathogenesis is poorly understood, rational treatment is elusive. Until recently, the North American public was able to achieve successful resolution with an over-the-counter topical preparation marketed for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis called SkinCap, which has now been withdrawn from the market. The purpose of this study was to examine the histologic changes induced by this preparation in a well-developed psoriatic plaque. Serial punch biopsies were taken over a 2-week period during which time SkinCap was applied topically twice daily. The biopsies were examined histologically, and features were evaluated semiquantitatively. The classic histologic features of psoriasis resolved completely over 2 weeks, with the reversal beginning with disappearance of neutrophils and the most striking finding being prominent apoptosis at 48 hours. The mechanism of this normalization is unknown. Hypotheses include blockage of cytokine and growth factor effect at some level and induction of apoptosis.

Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis

“…Therapies considered to be effective include PTZ (11,13,(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56)(57)(58)(59)(60)(61), selenium sulfide (47)(48)(49)(50)54,58,63,64,82), salicylic acid (4,5,47), sulfur (4,5,47), coal tar (4,5,48), hydrocortisone (41), and ketoconazole (13,51,52,57,61,(63)(64)(65)(66)(67)(68)(69)(70)(71)(72)(73)…”

Zinc pyrithione impairs zinc homeostasis and upregulates stress response gene expression in reconstructed human epidermis

“…In the context of cutaneous pathology beyond antimicrobial intervention, ZnPT has been used as an investigational antipsoriatic drug and has also been examined as an experimental therapeutic for topical treatment of UVB-induced epidermal hyperplasia (Rowlands and Danby 2000; Cho et al 2010). Accumulative evidence points towards a significant therapeutic potential of ZnPT and related zinc ionophores for antiviral and anticancer intervention (Magda et al 2008; Ding and Lind 2009; Krenn et al 2009).…”

Zinc Pyrithione in Combination Therapy of Atopic Dermatitis: Pathogenetic Substantiation and Results of Studies

“…Цинк играет значительную роль в поддержании нормального состояния кожи, а дефицит этого металла сопровождается разнообразными поражениями и ухудшением заживления ран [29,30].…”