The Effect of α-Methyldopa and Ultraviolet Irradiation on Melanogenesis

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Abstract
Systematic administration of a-methyldopa increases the number of dopa positive melanocytes in UV [ultraviolet] irradiated human skin as compared with control and UV irradiation alone although a-methyldopa in the absence of UV irradiation revealed little effect on the population of dopa positive melanocytes. UV irradiations itself increases the population of dopa positive human melanocytes. For the mechanism of the increased melanogenesis after a-methyldopa administration, the effect of an increase of available substrate molecules on the synthesis and activity of tyrosinase is discussed.