title: Oral carotenoids for photohypersensitivity in patients with erythrohepatic protoporphyria, polymorphous light eruptions and lupus erythematodes discoides.
abstract: beta-Carotene and canthaxanthin in a dose of 75--250 mg a day by mouth reduced the symptons of exposure to the sun in all 7 treated patients with erythrohepatic protoporphyria (EPP), in 15 of 18 with polymorphous light eruptions (PMLE) and in 3 of 4 with lupus erythematodes discoides. In the EPP group the protoporphyrin level tended to vary inversely with that of the serum carotenoids. The level of retinol-binding protein in plasma remained unchanged despite a substantial rise in the concentration of the serum carotenoids. Estimation of the minimal erythema dose for unfiltered light from a Xenon lamp in 7 patients with PMLE showed an increase in only 1 patient. Neither clinical examination nor repeated laboratory studies revealed any serious side effects of the treatment.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011164:Porphyrias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma
chemical_list: D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D002338:Carotenoids