Pemphigus and dietary factors. In vitro acantholysis by allyl compounds of the genus Allium.

BACKGROUND

Today it is generally accepted that every drug that possesses an active thiol group in its molecule is capable of inducing pemphigus in vivo and provoking acantholysis in vitro. We therefore suggested that plants, in particular those belonging to the Allium group, that contain several active compounds with stable disulfide and thiol groups in their molecule may cause the same.

OBJECTIVE

To verify this hypothesis by investigating the in vitro acantholytic effect of three compounds of garlic.

METHODS

Skin samples from donors were cultured in the presence of three compounds of garlic (i.e. allylmercaptan, allylmethylsulfide and allylsulfide) for 3 days. The skin samples were then processed for microscopic control for acantholysis.

RESULTS

Results indicate that, indeed, the three garlic compounds tested are capable of inducing acantholysis in vitro. Focal and diffuse acantholysis was observed in the specimens from 4 out of 7 donors cultured in the presence of 6 and 9 mM of each of the allyl compounds for 3 days. Interestingly, tissues from a DR4+ donor proved to be more acantholysis prone than others, showing large blistering due to diffuse acantholysis, thus indicating that individual susceptibility plays a crucial role also in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Garlic compounds with stable disulfide and thiol groups in their molecule are capable of inducing acantholysis in vitro. These findings lend further support to the theory that 'harmless' nutritional factors are capable of inducing acantholysis in vitro and possibly also in vivo. In view of these findings, it is suggested that nutritional factors should be added to the ever-growing list of exogenous factors capable of inducing pemphigus.