The content of macro- and microelements in the exudates of the «skin window» in immune-mediated skin diseases

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DOI: 10.22138/2500-0918-2026-23-3-344-355

D.S. Zagreshenko¹, V.V. Klimov², Yu.A. Sobanina³, A.V. Ekimovskikh4, V.V. Blynsky4

1Russian Medical Academy for Continuing Postgraduate Education, Novokuznetsk branch, Novokuznetsk, Russian Federation;
2Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russian Federation;
3Novokuznetsk branch of the Kuzbass Clinical Oncology Dispensary named after M.S. Rappoport, Novokuznetsk, Russian Federation;
4Medical Clinical Center «Medica», Novokuznetsk, Russian Federation

Abstract

The structural integrity of the skin and the normal functional activity of the epidermal barrier and dermis, as well as the whole organism, depend on the availability of vitamins, macro- and microelements. 81 chemical elements are found in the human body, which are part of at least 2000 enzymes and are contained in different concentrations. Mineral deficiency does not manifest itself immediately, but it leads to serious disorders and the development of chronic conditions. Excessive mineral content also leads to disorders in various organs and systems. Aim. To determine the concentration of potassium, zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron in the exudates of the «skin window» and blood serum in atopic dermatitis, urticaria, psoriasis and scleroderma. Materials and methods. 83 patients with atopic dermatitis, 93 patients with chronic urticaria, 99 patients with plaque psoriasis, 97 patients with limited scleroderma aged 18 to 55 years, of both sexes, were examined. The control group consisted of 42 practically healthy volunteer donors aged 18-35 years. The material for the study of macro- and microelements in the skin was the cell-free fraction of the exudate of the «skin window», at the systemic level – blood serum. The determination of elements in skin exudates and blood serum was carried out by photometric and potentiometric methods. Results. In patients with all studied immune-mediated skin diseases of different etiology and pathogenesis, the same type of changes in zinc content were detected in the cell-free exudate of the «skin window». In scleroderma, a special feature is an increased content of copper (2.9 (2.6-3.58) μmol/l, p<0.05) and phosphorus (0.31 (0.26-0.38) mmol/l, p<0.05) in the exudates of the «skin window», and in psoriasis – a decrease in calcium levels (0.24 (0.21-0.41) mmol/l, p<0.05) at the skin level. A statistically significant decrease in iron levels was detected in blood serum in psoriasis (12.6 (9.1-17.1) μmol/l, p<0.05) and in scleroderma (12.9 (9.55-17.9) μmol/l, p<0.05). Conclusion. Violation of the homeostasis of biologically significant macro- and microelements at the skin level is an important component of the pathogenesis of immune-mediated skin diseases. The presence of topical features of the formation of the inflammatory process in the skin in psoriasis and scleroderma and similar pathogenic pathways in all studied nosologies is shown. An increase in zinc content at the skin level in all studied nosologies, as well as specific features in scleroderma (increased copper and phosphorus content) and psoriasis (decreased calcium concentration) may be a prerequisite for subsequent pharmacological studies.

Keywords: «skin window», zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, inflammasome

There is no conflict of interest.

Contact details of the corresponding author

Denis S. Zagreshenko
zagreshenko@rambler.ru
Received: 08.05.2026

For citation

Zagreshenko D.S., Klimov V.V., Sobanina Yu.A., Ekimovskikh A.V., Blynsky V.V. The content of macro- and microelements in the exudates of the «skin window» in immune-mediated skin diseases. Vestn. Ural. Med. Akad. Nauki. = Journal of Ural Medical Academic Science. 2026, Vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 344-355. DOI: 10.22138/2500-0918-2026-23-3-344-355 (In Russ)

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Authors

Denis S. Zagreshenko
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics
Russian Medical Academy for Continuing Postgraduate Education, Novokuznetsk branch
Novokuznetsk, Russian Federation
zagreshenko@rambler.ru
ORCID 0000-0003-4309-664X

Vladimir V. Klimov
MD, Professor, Head of the Department of Immunology and Allergology
Siberian State Medical University
Tomsk, Russian Federation
vlklimov54@gmail.com
ORCID 0000-0001-6673-7556

Yulia A. Sobanina
Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics
Novokuznetsk Branch of the Kuzbass Clinical Oncological Dispensary named after M.S. Rappoport
Novokuznetsk, Russian Federation
yulya_sobanina@mail.ru

Alexander V. Ekimovskikh
Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics
Medical Clinical Center «Medica»
Novokuznetsk, Russian Federation
 a.ekimovskikh@gmail.clinic

Vitaly V. Blynsky
Dermatologist
Medical Clinical Center «Medica»
Novokuznetsk, Russian Federation
vitaljiblynskij5267@gmail.com

 
 
 

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