http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=1977845

Quantitation of calcium levels in the nails of psoriasis patients by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis.

Department of Dermatology, National Cheng-Kung University Medical Center, Tainan, R.O.C.

Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis was used to study the calcium levels in the involved and uninvolved nails of patients with psoriasis, and in the nails of healthy controls. A significant difference was found between the involved and uninvolved psoriatic nails. Calcium levels were higher in the dystrophic nails than in the normal nails of the same patients, patients without nail lesions, and healthy controls. No difference was noted in the calcium levels of normal nails between psoriasis patients and healthy controls. Calcium depletion from the horny layer may play a role in the formation of psoriatic skin lesions.

PMID: 1977845 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]