TREATMENT OF ERYTHROPOIETIC PROTOPORPHYRIA WITH HYDROXYETHYLRUTOSIDES

Background: Assuming that flavonoids have anti-oxidative properties an d may protect against abnormal skin reactions in erythropoietic protop orphyria (EPP), we investigated whether systemic treatment with hydrox yethylrutosides (2.7 g/day) could decrease skin sensitivity to blue li ght in a 37-year-old female patient who suffered from EPP. Design and Results: Before treatment, skin exposure during 5 min to a xenon high- pressure gas discharge lamp with filter was sufficient to produce inte nse erythema, irritation and later swelling. After 1, 2 and 3 months o f treatment, the exposure times, necessary to produce similar effects, gradually increased. This improvement coincided with an increased tol erability to sunlight. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusion: T hese results encourage the set-up of a more systematic, placebo-contro lled study of the protective effects of hydroxyethylrutosides in EPP.