Abstract

Chitin is a polymer of D-glucosamine, beta-poly-N-acetyl D-glucosamine. The chitin derivative, 70% deacetylated chitin (DAC-70), is immunopotentiating. The present study was conducted to determine the immunoregulatory events in skin following topical application of DAC-70 to DNCB-sensitized contact dermatitis in guinea pigs. On the 3rd day of treatment, DNCB-induced erythema was reduced in all five guinea pigs treated with 10% or 3.5% DAC-70 ointment. On the 7th day of treatment, ATPase-positive Langerhans cell (LC) density in epidermal sheets was 1021 + 131/mm2 (mean + SD) for 10% DAC-70-treated skin, and 1000 + 130/mm2 for 3.5% DAC-70-treated skin, both values exceeding 782 + 65/mm2 for normal epidermis. The value in DAC-70-treated samples was significantly greater (P < 0.01) than in normal epidermis. DAC-70 thus appears to have an immunoregulatory effect by increasing the number of epidermal LCs.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.