Open AccessAn explorative study of non‐invasive ultra‐weak photon emission and the anti‐oxidative influence of oral zinc sulphate in light‐sensitive patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria
Author(s) -
Petersen Anita Birgit,
Philipsen Peter Alshede,
Wulf Hans Christian
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2011.00586.x
Subject(s) - erythropoietic protoporphyria , ferrochelatase , zinc , reactive oxygen species , chemistry , photosensitivity , porphyria , protoporphyrin ix , protoporphyrin , ferritin , oxidative phosphorylation , photodynamic therapy , medicine , endocrinology , photochemistry , heme , biochemistry , materials science , porphyrin , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , enzyme
Background Erythropoietic protoporphyria ( EPP ) is a rare, inherited disorder of haem biosynthesis owing to deficient ferrochelatase ( FECH ) and accumulation of protoporphyrin IX ( PPIX ). This results in acute cutaneous photosensitivity upon light exposure with production of reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) and ultra‐weak photon emission ( UPE ) as a by‐product. We investigated if UPE evaluated the light sensitivity in EPP patients and influence of zinc treatment. Methods Fourteen EPP patients took zinc sulphate (3 × 200 mg/day) during spring and summer. Using a photomultiplier ( PM ), UPE was measured from the buttock skin and dorsal hand before and after solar‐simulated light ( SUN ) exposure. Blood samples were analysed routinely for plasma zinc, iron, ferritin, transferrin, haemoglobin, erythrocyte PPIX and Zn‐ PPIX . Results UPE in EPP patients resembled that seen in healthy individuals. Without treatment, a seasonal decrease was seen from spring to summer in four control patients. However, oral zinc treatment reduced ROS formation significantly regardless of SUN exposure. After SUN exposure, the initial burst was correlated to plasma iron and erythrocyte PPIX . During treatment, an inverse correlation was found between plasma zinc concentration and the initial burst. Conclusion Measurements of UPE can be used for monitoring UVA ‐induced oxidative processes in vivo in the skin of EPP patients.