Systemic and Topical Factors Involved in the Production of Experimental Cutaneous Calcinosis

The study explores the production of cutaneous calcinosis in experimental animals using calcification-promoting compounds like parathyroid hormone and dihydrotachysterol (DHT). Although these compounds can induce calcinosis reminiscent of calcifying scleroderma, the lesions are limited to the scalp and neck, occur irregularly, and are exclusive to very young animals, with high mortality rates. The research found that local calcification can be induced in predetermined skin regions of adult rats through topical trauma at a critical time during DHT treatment, typically the 4th day. This method allows for the study of the histogenesis of cutaneous calcinosis and its similarities and differences with clinical calcifying scleroderma.