Objective: To discuss the correlation between cytokines

occurrence

development and prognosis of radioactive dermatitis

and investigate the effect and mechanism of Chinese herbal compound ulcer oil in prevention and treatment of radiation dermatitis. Method: The 80 eligible patients who received radiotherapy in head

neck and chest were prospectively enrolled in this study and randomly divided into observation group (ulcer oil group) and control group (western medicine group). Efficacy was observed

then changes in epidermal growth factor (EGF)

tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α

interleukin (IL)-6

IL-1

IL-8 and IL-10 in peripheral blood of the patients were detected to investigate action mechanism of ulcer oil in prevention and treatment of radiation dermatitis. Result: Ulcer oil can significantly delay occurrence of radiation dermatitis

reduce grade of radiation dermatitis

and accelerate healing rate of radiation dermatitis (P<0.05). At 30 Gy

EGF levels were significantly lower than those before radiotherapy in both groups (P<0.01). At 60 Gy

EGF levels of two groups were increased compared with 30 Gy

but the increase degree in observation group was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.01). At 30 Gy

both groups showed significant increases in IL-6

TNF-α

IL-1 and IL-8 levels of peripheral blood (P<0.01). At 60 Gy

IL-6

TNF-α

IL-1 and IL-8 levels were decreased in both groups. In comparison between two groups

increase degree in IL-6

TNF-α

IL-1 and IL-8 levels in observation group was lower than that of control group at 30 Gy (P<0.05). At 60 Gy

IL-10 levels were increased in both groups

decrease degree in observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.01). At 60 Gy

IL-10 level of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compound ulcer oil may delay occurrence of skin inflammation

and increase its recovery speed by inhibiting production and release of IL-6

TNF-α

IL-1 and IL-8

reducing decline speed of IL-10 at early stage

and promoting production of EGF at advanced stage.