EFFECTS OF TOPICALLY APPLIED ANTIOXIDANTS IN EXPERIMENTALLY PROVOKED POLYMORPHOUS LIGHT ERUPTION

Background: Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is the most common photo dermatosis, with a prevalence of 10-20% in Western European countries and in the USA. Only few preventive measures for PLE exist, while its etiology and pathogenesis are still elusive. Recent theories on pathog enesis discuss the possible influence of oxidative stress. Objective: The presented randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study exami nes for the first time the protective effect of 3 different topically applied antioxidative preparations in experimentally photo-induced PLE . Method: 30 patients with a history of PLE underwent photoprovocation after having had applied 3 different formulations with antioxidants a nd one formulation with the vehicle only to the extensor surface of th eir upper arms, representing the individual site of predilection, twic e daily for 1 week prior to and during the consecutive week of photopr ovocation. The antioxidants used were combinations of different concen trations of alpha-glycosylrutin, ferulic acid and tocopheryl acetate. Results: Evaluation after the 4-th photoprovocation revealed that the development and severity of PLE and concomitant pruritus were signific antly reduced by the application of distinct combinations of antioxida nts. Conclusion: The results offer a new insight into possible pathome chanisms of PLE and suggest a new approach for preventive and therapeu tic measures.