Tokiko Yorifuji

Light and scanning electron microscopic studies on wrinkles in aged persons' skin

Wrinkles in six aged persons (67–82 years of age) have been investigated by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There are two types of wrinkles. One is a deep wrinkle which develops on the sun‐exposed skin and does not disappear on stretching (permanent wrinkle). The LM and SEM showed less elastotic change in the upper dermis in the area of wrinkle than in that of the surroundings. The other type is a shallow wrinkle which develops on sun‐protected skin and disappears on stretching (temporary wrinkle). The LM and SEM showed the decrease or loss of the elastic fibres in the papillary dermis as seen in ageing skin.

Treatment of linear localized scleroderma with the anti-allergic drug, tranilast.

A 14‐year‐old boy with linear localized scleroderma had a dramatic improvement in contractures after treatment with N‐(3′,4′‐dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (tranilast, Rizaben®). The observation that this antiallergic drug was effective in localized scleroderma lends further support to the concept that mast cells play a role in increased collagen synthesis in this disease.