Pharmacological abnormalities in atopic dermatitis.

Numerous investigations have described cutaneous and systemic physiological and pharmacological aberrations in atopic dermatitis and the atopic diathesis. Some of these studies set the stage for a focus upon cyclic nucleotide abnormalities. Elevated leukocyte cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase accounts for low intracellular cyclic AMP levels in atopic dermatitis. The resultant permissive effect correlates with abnormal functional parameters such as increased basophil histamine release and in vitro IgE synthesis. In vitro and clinical use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors corrects abnormal parameters and may indicate future therapeutic directions.