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Solar elastosis and presence of mast cells as key features in the pathogenesis of melasma
Author(s) -
HernándezBarrera R.,
TorresAlvarez B.,
CastanedoCazares J. P.,
OrosOvalle C.,
Moncada B.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical and experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1365-2230
pISSN - 0307-6938
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2008.02724.x
Subject(s) - melasma , medicine , dermatology , pathogenesis , giemsa stain , pathology , staining
Summary Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis on sun‐exposed areas. Its pathogenesis has not been clearly elucidated. Using histochemistry (Giemsa, Verhoeff–van Gieson and Fontana–Masson staining), we evaluated melasma lesions and compared them with nonlesional skin. Skin samples were obtained from lesional and nonlesional facial skin of 27 patients with melasma, and biopsies were also taken from normal control subjects. Mast cells and solar elastosis areas were evaluated using a computer‐assisted image‐analysis program. Lesional skin had abundant elastotic material compared with nonaffected skin (13.3 ± 2.8% vs. 10.2 ± 2.9%, P < 0.001). Mast cells were more prominent in the elastotic areas of melasma skin (173 ± 57% vs. 145 ± 57%, P = 0.04). Melasma could be a result of a cumulative sun exposure, in a microenvironment of cutaneous photoageing in which inflammatory cells, particularly mast cells, play a key role.