Crude Coal Tar Ointment Research Articles

Serum Level of Antibodies (IgG, IgM) Against Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-DNA Adducts in Children Dermatologically Exposed to Coal Tar.

Crude coal tar (CCT) contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is metabolized into a highly reactive metabolite benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) that is able to bind to DNA and creates BPDE-DNA adducts. Adducted DNA becomes immunogenic and induces immune response by production of antibodies against BPDE-DNA adducts (Ab-BPDE-DNA). Circulating Ab-BPDE-DNA was proposed as potential biomarker of genotoxic exposure to BaP (PAHs). Goeckerman therapy (GT) of psoriasis uses dermal application of CCT ointment (PAHs). In presented study (children with psoriasis treated by GT; n = 19) the therapy significantly increased the level of Ab-BPDE-DNA (EI = 0.29/0.19-0.34 vs. 0.31/0.25-0.40; median/lower-upper quartile; p < 0.01). The results support the idea of Ab-BPDE-DNA level as a possible tentative indicator of exposure, effects and susceptibility of the organism to the exposure of BaP (PAHs).

Influence of dermal exposure to ultraviolet radiation and coal tar (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) on the skin aging process

BackgroundUltraviolet radiation (UVR) and crude coal tar (CCT) containing PAHs can accelerate the skin-aging process (SAP). However, UVR induces the formation of an important protective factor in SAP (vitamin D). ObjectiveTo determine the relation of SAP to selected risks and benefits of combined dermal exposure to UVR and coal tar (PAHs). MethodsThe study group consisted of patients with chronic stable plaque psoriasis and treated by Goeckerman therapy (GT; daily dermal application of UVR and 5% CCT ointment). The levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), oxidative stress (DNA and RNA damage), genotoxic damage (chromosomal aberration in peripheral lymphocytes; ABC), 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] and the PASI score were evaluated before and after GT. ResultsIntensive dermal absorption of PAHs was confirmed by increased levels of 1-OHP (p<0.01). After the therapy, we found an increased level of oxidative stress (p<0.05), an increased level of genotoxic damage (ABC; p<0.001), a high efficiency of the treatment (p<0.001) and an elevated production of 25(OH)D (p<0.01). We also found a relationship between the duration of UVR and the genotoxic damage (p<0.01), vitD (p<0.05) and the PASI score (p<0.05). Furthermore, we found a relationship between oxidative stress and 25(OH)D (p<0.05) and between genotoxic damage and the PASI score (p<0.05). ConclusionDermal exposure to UVR and coal tar (PAHs) enhances the level of oxidative stress and genotoxic damage and thus contributes to SAP. However, the exposure is very effective as a treatment and elevates the production of 25(OH)D, the protective factor in SAP. According to our results, UVR is probably a more hazardous factor in SAP.

Oxidative damage to nucleic acids and benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-DNA adducts and chromosomal aberration in children with psoriasis repeatedly exposed to crude coal tar ointment and UV radiation.

The paper presents a prospective cohort study. Observed group was formed of children with plaque psoriasis (n=19) treated by Goeckerman therapy (GT). The study describes adverse (side) effects associated with application of GT (combined exposure of 3% crude coal tar ointment and UV radiation). After GT we found significantly increased markers of oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, 8-hydroxyguanosine, and 8-hydroxyguanine), significantly increased levels of benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) DNA adducts (BPDE-DNA), and significantly increased levels of total number of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes. We found significant relationship between (1) time of UV exposure and total number of aberrated cells and (2) daily topical application of 3% crude coal tar ointment (% of body surface) and level of BPDE-DNA adducts. The findings indicated increased hazard of oxidative stress and genotoxic effects related to the treatment. However, it must be noted that the oxidized guanine species and BPDE-DNA adducts also reflect individual variations in metabolic enzyme activity (different extent of bioactivation of benzo[a]pyrene to BPDE) and overall efficiency of DNA/RNA repair system. The study confirmed good effectiveness of the GT (significantly decreased PASI score).

Topical tazarotene vs. coal tar in stable plaque psoriasis

The efficacy of topical tazarotene has not previously been compared with the conventional topical treatment of crude coal tar (CCT) in stable plaque psoriasis. To assess the comparative efficacy and tolerability of topical tazarotene 0.1% gel and CCT 5% ointment in stable plaque psoriasis. In this nonblinded side-to-side comparison study, patients with chronic stable plaque psoriasis, who had bilaterally symmetrical plaques on the limbs, applied 0.1% tazarotene gel on the right side and 5% CCT ointment on the left side once daily for 12 weeks followed by an 8-week treatment-free follow up period. Severity of psoriatic lesions and response to treatment was evaluated by scoring erythema, scaling and induration (ESI). Of 30 patients recruited, 27 could be assessed. In the per-protocol analysis, the mean percentage reduction in ESI score at the end of the treatment period was 74.15% +/- 9.43 and 77.37% +/- 10.93 with tazarotene and CCT, respectively (P > 0.05). A reduction in ESI score of > 75% was seen in 11 (40.74%) and 16 (59.26%) patients with tazarotene and CCT, respectively, at the end of 12 weeks. Side-effects were seen in 48.14% of patients treated with tazarotene, but in no patient treated with CCT. Tazarotene 0.1% gel has comparable clinical efficacy to CCT 5% ointment. CCT ointment remains a cost-effective therapy for plaque psoriasis.

Comparison of suberythemogenic and maximally aggressive ultraviolet B therapy for psoriasis

We prospectively compared the maximally aggressive erythemogenic ultraviolet B (UVB) schedule (Le Vine et al, 1979) and a suberythemogenic UVB schedule (Frost et al, 1979) in the treatment of psoriasis. Patients were treated with either the maximally aggressive erythemogenic UVB (MAEUVB) schedule or the suberythemogenic UVB (SEUVB) schedule. Each patient received daily topical treatment with 2% crude coal tar ointment on half of the body and the ointment vehicle on the other half of the body. All patients were hospitalized and treated 7 days a week. The treatment results were determined daily by grading preselected reference lesions for erythema, scaling, and thickness. With both UV schedules, no difference in response could be detected between the ointment vehicle side and the tar ointment side. In a comparison of the two UV schedules, patients treated with MAEUVB had no statistically significant difference in the resolution of their psoriasis, and the length of remission was similar. The average energy needed for the SEUVB-treated patients was 189 mjoules/cm 2, whereas the average for the MAEUVB-treated patients was 984 mjoules/cm 2. Our findings suggest that neither crude coal tar nor MAEUVB is needed for the optimal UVB treatment of psoriasis in the hospital.

The effect of tar on infection

Sites on the backs of adult white rabbits were covered with 5% crude coal tar ointment for 24 hours, and control sites were covered with the ointment base. The tar and control sites were each injected with a similar number of micrococci. The sites were then covered again with tar and control ointments. After an additional 24 hours, the size of the induration was measured. The average diameter of induration at the tar sites was 12.7 mm and at control sites 4.3 mm. Killed organisms produced only 1- to 2-mm papules at both tar and control sites.

An Improved Coal Tar Ointment Using a Surfactant

Crude coal tar ointments are among the most valuable and indispensable of topical medicaments, but the almost magical antieczematous effect of these preparations has seemed inseparable from their ability to produce irritation, as well as from the color and the odor. Four years ago a modified crude coal tar ointment was developed at the State University of Iowa. This ointment, although retaining some of the color and odor of coal tar, has proved to be relatively nonirritating to the diseased skin. No matter how carefully coal tar ointment U. S. P. XIV is made, using all of the modern techniques and equipment, microscopic examination of thin films of the ointment demonstrates that the tar is unevenly dispersed in the vehicle in coarse particles of extremely variable size. Figure 1 shows the coarse tar particles, some as large as 100μ. It seemed quite possible that some of

Effects of Irradiation of Crude Coal Tar by Quartz Mercury Vapor Lamps. I. Evidence of chemical changes as shown by changes in absorption spectra.

The stimulus to investigations on the possible changes in the absorption of crude coal tar when irradiated by air-cooled quartz mercury vapor lamps was furnished by the fact that a simple but apparently beneficial treatment for psoriasis consists in irradiating, with sources rich in ultraviolet light, affected areas which are covered with a thin film of crude coal tar ointment. Neither the ointment nor irradiation alone produces as marked results; hence the combination of the 2 is used simultaneously. The so-called crude coal tar ointment is made up of 2 drams each of crude coal tar and pulverized zinc oxide mixed with 2 ounces each of corn starch and petrolatum. It seemed highly probable that the only substance in this ointment which might give evidence of chemical change under ultraviolet irradiation was the crude coal tar and that, by investigations of a spectroscopic character, it might be possible to determine which portion of the crude coal tar was the active or stimulating agent. Thus far we have settled definitely only the question relative to changes in absorption spectra produced by irradiation with an aircooled quartz mercury vapor lamp. The lamp used was made by the Victor X-Ray Corporation and was operated at 90 volts at a distance of 17 cm. The apparatus for obtaining absorption spectra is shown in Fig. 1. A 0.5 kilowatt transformer is used for electrical excitation together with a suitable condenser which is joined in parallel (multiple) with a spark-gap consisting of one electrode of aluminum and one of nickel separated by a few millimeters. The photographic plates used for obtaining the spectrograms were made more sensitive to the extreme ultraviolet irradiation by treatment with oil. In the development of the plate the oil is carefully removed with anhydrous ether before it is immersed in the developer. Of the various possible solvents for crude coal tar, ether was chosen because it is least opaque to the ultraviolet region and does not change appreciably (if at all) when exposed to prolonged irradiation.