A mechanism for topical cutaneous calcinosis

ATP has been found in the fluid from distilled water washes of the dorsum of epilated and non-epilated rats. However, considerably more ATP was found in the epilated rats. Based upon these and previously reported results demonstrating that calcium adenosine 5′ triphosphate initiates subcutaneous calcification in rats, a hypothesis is proposed for the mechanism of topical cutaneous calcinosis as follows: Feeding DHT results in generalized hypercalcemia. When this is followed by epilation, tissue trauma occurs, resulting in destruction and/or enhanced permeability of cell membranes and release of ATP. The CaATP which forms hydrolyzes to produce a calcium orthophosphate nucleating seed for the calcification process. The ground substance necessary to form with calcium phosphate, the organized plaque, are the collagen fibers and muccopolysaccarides in the inter-fibrillar matrix in the dermal layer or the hair follicle itself.