The quantitative distribution of gold in skin during chrysotherapy.

Gold concentrations in epidermis, dermis, and whole skin were measured by neutron activation analysis after formation of suction bullae in 8 patients who had received protracted cyrysotherapy. Epidermis contained 3% (median) of the gold content of whole skin. A direct correlation between cumulative gold dose and skin gold level was noted. These findings suggest that apparent gold concentrations in skin are influenced by the depth of the biopsy, that keratinous tissues have little affinity for gold, and that the gold storage capability of skin is not saturated by large cumulative doses of gold. The beneficial effect of gold in pemphigus may not be mediated at the site of blister formation.