Effects of tacrolimus ointment on the expression of substance P, nerve growth factor, and neurotrophin-3 in atopic dermatitis

Background  There is increasing evidence that neuropeptides may be involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives  To investigate the effects of tacrolimus on the neuropeptides substance P (SP), nerve growth factor (NGF), and neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) in the skin, and SP and NGF in t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of dermatology 2009-04, Vol.48 (4), p.431-438
Main Authors: Kim, Hye-One, Lee, Cheol-Heon, Ahn, Hye-Kyung, Park, Chun-Wook
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Topical
Adolescent
Adult
Allergic diseases
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy
Child
Dermatitis, Atopic - drug therapy
Dermatitis, Atopic - metabolism
Dermatitis, Atopic - pathology
Dermatology
Female
Humans
Immunopathology
Immunosuppressive Agents - administration & dosage
Male
Medical sciences
Nerve Fibers - drug effects
Nerve Fibers - metabolism
Nerve Growth Factor - metabolism
Neurotrophin 3 - metabolism
Skin - innervation
Skin allergic diseases. Stinging insect allergies
Substance P - metabolism
Tacrolimus - administration & dosage
Young Adult
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Summary:Background  There is increasing evidence that neuropeptides may be involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives  To investigate the effects of tacrolimus on the neuropeptides substance P (SP), nerve growth factor (NGF), and neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) in the skin, and SP and NGF in the serum, of patients with AD. Methods  Lesional skin specimens were obtained from eight AD patients and eight normal controls. For 8 weeks, AD patients applied 0.03% tacrolimus ointment to all affected areas twice daily. Blood samples and skin biopsies were then repeated. The participants’ serum SP and NGF levels, as well as the SP, NGF, and NT‐3 immunoreactive cell counts, were evaluated in the epidermal, dermal, and perivascular areas of lesional skin before and after treatment. Results  The immunoreactive cell counts of SP, NGF, and NT‐3 in skin were higher in AD patients than in normal controls. Most cell counts decreased significantly after treatment; however, the change in serum SP and NGF was not statistically significant. Conclusions  We demonstrated semiquantitative differences in neuropeptides in the skin of AD patients. In addition, topical tacrolimus reduced the levels of neuropeptides in the tissues of AD patients.
ISSN:0011-9059
1365-4632
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.03968.x