Lowitt M H
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, USA.
Dermatology. 2001;202(1):44-5. doi: 10.1159/000051584.
The mechanism for ultraviolet-B (UVB)-associated cutaneous erythema may involve production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Pentoxifylline inhibits TNF-alpha production.
To assess the effect of oral pentoxifylline on UVB-induced erythema in humans.
Baseline minimum erythema doses (MEDs) for UVB were measured. Subjects received pentoxifylline 400 mg orally every 8 h for 4 doses. MED assays were repeated 2 h after the last dose of pentoxifylline. Pre- and posttreatment MED results were assessed by the paired t test.
Oral administration of pentoxifylline to 7 normal adults elevated the MED for UVB in all 7 individuals.
Pentoxifylline may diminish the cutaneous sunburn response to UVB radiation when it is administered prior to ultraviolet exposure.
