ISSN:
1468-3083
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background The reasons for the apparent increased risk of skin cancer in Celts are unclear, but it is possible that Celts possess more risk factors than non-Celts.Aims To determine whether Celts differ from non-Celts with respect of cutaneous response to UVR, and tests of cell mediated immunity.Methods The MED of UVB, degree of clinical photodamage, pigmentation, numbers of peripheral blood T-lymphocyte sub-sets, and response to a battery of infra-dermal antigens were determined in 18 Celts with a history of BCC and 18 age, sex, and skin type matched non-Celts with a history of BCC. Each was then exposed to 2MED, and biopsies taken of irradiated and non-irradiated sites at 24 h.Results Celts tended to have a thinner epidermis than the non-Celts. Following irradiation the epidermal thymidine labelling index in Celts had almost doubled, whereas in non-Celts it fell slightly. We found no differences in photodamage, freckling, pigmentation, MED, the erythema response to 2MED, numbers of peripheral T-lymphocytes, or tests of cell mediated immunity.Summary The tendency of Celts to a thinner epidermis and an increased epidermal labelling index following UV irradiation may be a reflection of an increased susceptibility to skin damage following UV exposure.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.1996.tb00128.x
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