Effect of naphthalan on epidermal proliferation activity and CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocyte count.

Immunohistochemistry analysis by cell immunophenotyping before and after a 3 - week treatment with naphthalan oil was performed on biopsy specimens from 10 patients with psoriasis vulgaris. For immunohistochemistry staining of 3- micro m paraffin block sections, anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-CD8, and Ki-67 antibodies were used. Peroxidase reaction for T cell (CD3, CD4, and CD8) quantification was done in the epidermis and dermis of each skin sample as total positive cell count per mm sample. Positive Ki-67 (proliferation index) was determined as percentage of positive cells per 100 cells in the basal layer of the epidermis. Results showed naphthalan treatment to decrease the mean CD3 lymphocyte count by 83% and 59%, CD4 lymphocyte count by 81% and 73%, and CD8 lymphocyte count by 60% and 49% in the epidermis and dermis, respectively. The mean proliferation index also decreased with naphthalan therapy.