Evaluation Of Plasma Levels Of Substance P And Beta-endorphin In Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

Objective: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a inflammatory dermatosis which is associated with genetical sensitivity.It,s pathogenesis is not known completely yet. The pathogenesis of AD is multifactorial and involves genetic, enviromental, psychological and immunological factors.People are paying attention to the correlation between neuropeptides and AD. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the plasma levels of Substance P and beta-endorphin in patients with AD and to examine their possible correlation with disease severity and eosinophil counts in peripheral blood, and to explore their roles and clinical significance in the pathogenesis of AD.Methods: The plasma levels of Substance P and beta-endorphin were measured by Radio Immunoassay(RIA) in 35 patients with AD.The eosinophil counts in peripheral blood were measured at the same time, and compared with 24 normal non-atopic controls. The severity of the disease in AD patients was evaluated using two different clinical scoring systems: the Eczema Area and Severity Index and the grading system of Rajka and Langeland.The correlation of the levels of these two neuropeptides with the disease severity and the eosinophil counts and was evaluated.Results: Patients with AD had significant increase in plasma level of Substance P compared with controls(P<0.01). There was a significant correlation of plasma SP level with disease severity evaluated using two different scoring systems: the Eczema Area and Severity Index and the grading system of Rajka and Langeland (r=0.951, P<0.01and r=0.860 , P<0.01 , respectively). There was no difference in plasma level of beta-endorphin between AD and controls(p=0.853). Eosinophil counts in peripheral blood were also increased in AD patients compared with controls.