title: Clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical effects of arsenical-ferruginous spa waters on mild-to-moderate psoriatic lesions: a randomized placebo-controlled study.
abstract: Thermalism and spa treatments are traditionally considered effective in a number of dermatologic inflammatory conditions, yet there is scarce evidence about spring water effectiveness on psoriasis in a daily setting. We enrolled 34 patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-contralaterally-controlled trial, to evaluate Levico and Vetriolo arsenical-ferruginous water effectiveness on psoriatic lesions by daily 20-minute wet packing for 12 consecutive days. Clinical, histopathologic and immunohistochemical parameters were considered. A statistically significant difference between spa water-treated lesions and placebo-treated lesions in the same patients was demonstrated for histopathologic and immunohistochemical parameters. Since iron ions have an antiproliferative effect on epithelia, and magnesium ions have an anti-inflammatory effect, Levico and Vetriolo water effectiveness on psoriasis could be addressed to their content of these ions.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borroni
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brazzelli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fornara
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosso
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paulli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tinelli
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ciocca
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001452:Balneology / Q000379:methods*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007558:Italy; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008900:Mineral Waters / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001152:Arsenicals; D015415:Biomarkers; D058085:Iron Compounds; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D008900:Mineral Waters