Rapid reversal of hyperpigmentation in pityriasis versicolor upon short-term topical cycloserine application.
The clinical phenomena of pityriasis versicolor (PV), a common Malassezia-associated skin disease, such as hyperpigmentation, depigmentation and fluorescence of the lesions may at least partly be explained by the generation of Trp-derived indole pigments through the action of transaminase 1 (TAM 1). Cycloserine, a TAM inhibitor, was able to completely inhibit pigment production in M. furfur in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Application of a 0.2-mol l(-1) aqueous cycloserine solution b.i.d. for 5 days in three patients with hyperpigmented PV resulted in complete healing within 3-5 days without side-effects. Topically applied TAM inhibitors may therefore represent a new therapeutic principle for prophylaxis and therapy of PV, thus underlining the importance of the TAM pathway for the pathogenesis of the disease.
Mayser
Peter
P
Rieche
Inga
I
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D003523:Cycloserine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008290:Malassezia / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D014010:Tinea Versicolor / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D003523:Cycloserine