Treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria with hydroxyethylrutosides.
BACKGROUND
Assuming that flavonoids have anti-oxidative properties and may protect against abnormal skin reactions in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), we investigated whether systemic treatment with hydroxyethylrutosides (2.7 g/day) could decrease skin sensitivity to blue light in a 37-year-old female patient who suffered from EPP.


RESULTS
Before treatment, skin exposure during 5 min to a xenon high-pressure gas discharge lamp with filter was sufficient to produce intense erythema, irritation and later swelling. After 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment, the exposure times, necessary to produce similar effects, gradually increased. This improvement coincided with an increased tolerability to sunlight. No adverse effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These results encourage the set-up of a more systematic, placebo-controlled study of the protective effects of hydroxyethylrutosides in EPP.
Schoemaker
J H
JH
Department of International Clinical Research, Roche Nederland, Mijdrecht.
Bousema
M T
MT
Zijlstra
H
H
van der Horst
F A
FA
D000328:Adult; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000188:drug therapy; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D004890:Erythema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006896:Hydroxyethylrutoside / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000188:drug therapy; D008027:Light; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D017121:Porphyria, Hepatoerythropoietic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D012882:Skin Tests; D013472:Sunlight; D013997:Time Factors; D014978:Xenon
D006896:Hydroxyethylrutoside; D014978:Xenon