Proliferative processes in the epidermis of patients with atopic dermatitis treated with thymodepressin.

Proliferative activity of the epidermis in skin biopsy specimens from patients with atopic dermatitis before and during therapy with thymodepressin (immunosuppressant) was studied by immunohistochemical method (by expression of Ki-67 antigen). The number of Ki-67-positive keratinocyte nuclei in atopic dermatitis considerably surpassed the corresponding parameter in intact skin (32.46 +/- 3.06% vs. 8.73 +/- 1.28%, p<0.05). Two 10-day courses of thymodepressin (0.1% solution, 1 ml intramuscularly) for 30 days reduced the number of Ki-67-positive keratinocyte nuclei to 20.78 +/- 3.36%. Clinical improvement was also achieved (sleep became normal, itching decreased, erythema and desquamation also decreased or disappeared). These findings suggest that disorders in keratinocyte proliferation are an important component in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and confirm high efficiency of thymodepressin in the treatment of this condition.