Biomaterial Database

Topically applied verapamil hydrochloride inhibits tuberculin-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions in human skin. 1992

J McFadden, and K Bacon, and R Camp

St. John's Institute of Dermatology, St. Thomas's Hospital, London, Great Britain.

Calcium channel antagonists have been reported to possess inhibitory effects on lymphocyte migration and activation in vitro, and on cell-mediated immune reactions in the skin of experimental animals. We have therefore studied the effects of topically applied 8% (w/v) verapamil hydrochloride in propylene glycol on tuberculin-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions in the skin of normal human volunteers. There was significant inhibition of the tuberculin reactions by the verapamil preparation compared to vehicle controls, as determined by forearm skin fold thickness measurement and assessment of the density of mononuclear cell infiltrates in skin biopsies. The precise mechanism of action of verapamil hydrochloride remains unclear, but could include effects on T-cell migration and activation, on antigen-presenting cells, and/or on other cells. The potential for the use of topical calcium channel antagonist preparations in inflammatory skin diseases warrants further study.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006968	Hypersensitivity, Delayed	An increased reactivity to specific antigens mediated not by antibodies but by sensitized T CELLS.	Hypersensitivity, Tuberculin-Type,Hypersensitivity, Type IV,Tuberculin-Type Hypersensitivity,Type IV Hypersensitivity,Delayed Hypersensitivity,Delayed Hypersensitivities,Hypersensitivity, Tuberculin Type,Tuberculin Type Hypersensitivity,Tuberculin-Type Hypersensitivities,Type IV Hypersensitivities
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000287	Administration, Topical	The application of drug preparations to the surfaces of the body, especially the skin (ADMINISTRATION, CUTANEOUS) or mucous membranes. This method of treatment is used to avoid systemic side effects when high doses are required at a localized area or as an alternative systemic administration route, to avoid hepatic processing for example.	Drug Administration, Topical,Administration, Topical Drug,Topical Administration,Topical Drug Administration,Administrations, Topical,Administrations, Topical Drug,Drug Administrations, Topical,Topical Administrations,Topical Drug Administrations
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D001706	Biopsy	Removal and pathologic examination of specimens from the living body.	Biopsies
D012867	Skin	The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.
D012882	Skin Tests	Epicutaneous or intradermal application of a sensitizer for demonstration of either delayed or immediate hypersensitivity. Used in diagnosis of hypersensitivity or as a test for cellular immunity.	Skin Test,Test, Skin,Tests, Skin
D012885	Skinfold Thickness	The measurement of subcutaneous fat located directly beneath the skin by grasping a fold of skin and subcutaneous fat between the thumb and forefinger and pulling it away from the underlying muscle tissue. The thickness of the double layer of skin and subcutaneous tissue is then read with a caliper. The five most frequently measured sites are the upper arm, below the scapula, above the hip bone, the abdomen, and the thigh. Its application is the determination of relative fatness, of changes in physical conditioning programs, and of the percentage of body fat in desirable body weight. (From McArdle, et al., Exercise Physiology, 2d ed, p496-8)	Skinfold Thicknesses,Thickness, Skinfold,Thicknesses, Skinfold