Investigations of seborrheic dermatitis. Part II. Influence of itraconazole on the clinical condition and the level of selected cytokines in seborrheic dermatitis.

INTRODUCTION The pathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis has not been fully elucidated. A number of anascogenic yeasts of Malassezia spp. appear to be involved in the intensity of the symptoms. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the levels of selected inflammatory cytokines, IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α, in the serum after treatment with itraconazole. MATERIAL/METHODS Sixty-six subjects were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 30 participants (23 females and 7 males) without any clinical disorders, aged 24-65 (37.41±6.08 years). Thirty-six patients with seborrheic dermatitis (16 females and 20 males), aged 19-76 (38.61±13.77), constituted the study group. The measurement of IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α levels was performed by ELISA using a Human High Sensitivity kit (Diaclone, France). RESULTS After six-week treatment with itraconazole administered daily at a dose of 200 mg using pulse therapy, there was remission of the disease or at least substantial clinical improvement in the patients with seborrheic dermatitis. The levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ cytokines in the study group were higher than in the control group. After the treatment the level of IFN-γ secretion in the male patients with seborrheic dermatitis significantly increased. The levels of the other studied cytokines did not significantly differ. CONCLUSIONS The treatment with itraconazole had a beneficial effect on the clinical condition of the skin of the patients. IFN-γ is a cytokine whose secretion might affect the condition of the skin in seborrheic dermatitis.