title: Further experience with toxic vitamin A therapy in pityriasis rubra pilaris.
abstract: A patient with short-duration pityriasis rubra pilaris was successfully treated with high-dose, toxic vitamin A (retinol), but the disease subsequently recurred in new areas. Serum levels of vitamin A were highest four hours after treatment and returned to the base level within twelve hours. Fasting blood levels of vitamin A during treatment increased to five times the pretreatment level. Ultrastructural changes in the keratinocytes were notable vacuolation, granularity of the cytoplasm, and a decrease in tonofilament masses, all indications of the cellular effect of the vitamin A. We believe that patients with long-duration pityriasis rubra pilaris should be considered for this treatment.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010916:Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A