title: The impact of salt water soaks on biophysical and molecular parameters in psoriatic epidermis equivalents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The exact mechanisms of action of balneophototherapy are incompletely understood. We aimed to investigate the effect of salt water soaks on ultraviolet (UV) transmission and the expression of molecular parameters of psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied UV transmission and the expression of antimicrobial peptides and skin-derived antileukoproteinase (SKALP/elafin) in psoriatic epidermis equivalents which were pretreated with tap water and differently concentrated salt water solutions. Moreover, we performed in vivo phototoxicity tests in healthy subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Highly concentrated salt water soaks significantly increase UV transmission through psoriatic epidermis equivalents, in particular within the wavelength range of 305- 360 nm. In vivo tests revealed increased photosensitivity following highly concentrated salt water baths. A significant decrease in human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) and SKALP/elafin is observed after highly concentrated NaCl soaks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An increase in UV transmission following highly concentrated salt water soaks likely causes enhanced UV gain within the viable epidermis. Moreover, our data indicate that salt water soaks seem to influence the protein profiles of hBD-2 and SKALP/elafin.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Ruhr University Bochum, Gudrunstrasse 56, Bochum, Germany. t.gambichler@klinikum-bochum.de
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Gambichler
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Demetriou
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Terras
authors: F G
authors: FG
authors: Bechara
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Skrygan
mesh_terms: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001452:Balneology; D053492:Elafin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000628:therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D053492:Elafin; C506806:PI3 protein, human; D012965:Sodium Chloride