title: Evaluation of the serum T cell population variations induced by PUVA therapy.
abstract: In the present study we evaluated the effects of UVA irradiation on the serum T cell subpopulations (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8, NK, T lymphocytes/mm3) by means of a Fluorescence Activate Cell Sorter (F.A.C.S. 420, Becton Dikinson). Twenty-eight psoriatic patients, never previously treated with PUVA, received UVA radiations (cabin Waldman 8001 K). Blood samples were taken before therapy and after 60 J/cm2 and 120 J/cm2 irradiations. Results were compared with those of our healthy control group of volunteers. A decrease of CD4 positive cells was observed in the psoriatic group before therapy. PUVA did not induce any statistically significant modification of the populations studied, except for a progressively increasing trend of CD4 positive cells. These data seem to stress that a medium-term PUVA therapy does not significantly modify the serum level of the T cell populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kokelj
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Presani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens