title: Mononuclear leucocyte function in patients with lichen planus and cutaneous lupus erythematosus during chemotherapy with clofazimine.
abstract: Mitogen-induced transformation and the production of reactive oxidants by mononuclear leucocytes (MNLs) from patients with chronic dermatological disorders were investigated in vitro before and during the administration of the antimycobacterial/immunosuppressive agent clofazimine (200 mg 3 times weekly). Seven patients, 4 with lichen planus and 3 with cutaneous lupus erythematosus, were included in the study. Clofazimine administration did not influence the mitogen-induced proliferative responses of patients' MNLs. However, chemotherapy with this drug stimulated the production of reactive oxidants by MNLs. Since reactive oxidants are immunosuppressive it is possible that these effects may be involved in the pharmacotherapeutic activity of clofazimine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Pretoria.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Zeis
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kleeberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002991:Clofazimine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000276:immunology*; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology*; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010083:Oxidants, Photochemical / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D010083:Oxidants, Photochemical; D002991:Clofazimine