Preferential induction of endothelin-1 in a human epidermal equivalent model by narrow-band ultraviolet B light sources.

Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB; 310-315 nm) is commonly used to treat vitiligo, but the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect have not been understood completely. Here, we evaluated the effects of broadband UVB (BB-UVB), NB-UVB, 308 nm xenon chloride (XeCl) excimer laser, and 308 nm XeCl excimer light on the expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in a cultured human epidermal tissue model. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the effectiveness of UVB irradiation, including excimer light and excimer laser, in the treatment of vitiligo.