Effect of coal tar on cutaneous aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction and anthralin irritancy

Abstract
The inflammatory dose-response to topical anthralin and whole skin aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity were measured before and 24 h after application of coal tar solution to the uninvolved skin of patients with psoriasis. The inflammatory response to anthralin decreased and total AHH activity increased after the tar treatment. A possible explanation is that anthralin or an irritant product is metabolized by AHH activity in the skin. Induction of AHH by coal tar increases its removal and reduces anthralin irritancy.

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