Background: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a dramatic drug-induced emergency related to extensive destruction of the epidermis. There is evidence that its pathomechanism involves impaired detoxication of xenobiotics. Glutathione-S-transferase π (GST-π) is a phase II detoxifying enzyme involved in drug metabolization by human keratinocytes. Method: Immunohistochemistry was performed in order to assess the expression of GST-π in keratinocytes of TEN, other cutaneous adverse drug reactions and bullous pemphigoid. Results: GST-π was disclosed in the involved epidermis of 16/16 TEN patients. It was present in the cytoplasm of suprabasal keratinocytes. GST-π was also expressed in the clinically uninvolved skin in a majority (8/12) of TEN patients. By contrast, it was rarely and poorly expressed in the other tested dermatoses. Conclusion: The pathomechanism of TEN is not related to an impaired quantitative expression of GST-π. GST-π expression is an early event in TEN. As oxidative stress is a major inducer of GST-π, this mechanism might be involved in TEN. Its GST-π expression mainly restricted to the suprabasal keratinocytes suggests that the pathomechanisms leading to keratinocyte death in TEN are distinct at different levels of the epidermis.

Keywords:
Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Glutathione-S-transferase
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel
2006
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.