Tattoo Pigments Are Observed in the Kupffer Cells of the Liver Indicating Blood-Borne Distribution of Tattoo Ink

Sepehri, Mitra; Sejersen, Tobias Steen; Qvortrup, Klaus; Lerche, Catharina M.; Serup, Jørgen

doi:10.1159/000468149

Cited by 47 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…found tattoo pigment in Kupffer cells in the liver but in no other organs. However, the authors did not take sample from the uvea . To date, no tattoo pigment deposits have been found in the eye of patients with tattoo‐associated uveitis .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tattoo‐associated uveitis with or without systemic sarcoidosis: a comparative review of the literature

Kluger

2018

Acad Dermatol Venereol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown aetiology characterized by the presence of non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas in multiple organs, mainly the lungs and the lymphatic system. It is also one of the leading cause of inflammatory eye diseases. For the past 70 years, sarcoidal granulomas on tattoos and permanent make-up have been documented. They can be the first and sometimes unique cutaneous manifestation of systemic sarcoidosis. A few cases of sarcoidosis with uveitis and granulomatous reactions within tattoos have been described. However, since the end 60s, a singular entity has been reported associating isolated uveitis with granulomatous cutaneous reaction restricted to tattoos in the notable absence of systemic sarcoidosis. It remains unclear whether this entity must be distinguished from sarcoidosis. This review summarizes the currently available data on this topic and compares cases of sarcoidosis with granulomatous tattoo reaction and uveitis to the cases without notable sarcoidosis. We propose the acronym TAGU (TAttoo Granulomas with Uveitis) as an exclusion diagnosis that emcompasses the patients for whom we fail to find any sarcoidosis or other causes after extensive investigation.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tattoo‐associated uveitis with or without systemic sarcoidosis: a comparative review of the literature

Kluger

2018

Acad Dermatol Venereol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In a separate study, we documented that deposits originating from black and red tattoos on the backs of mice were observed in the liver; in the Kupffer cells, by electron microscopy [10]. According to this study, high exposure target organs are the lymph nodes and the liver, albeit distribution to other distant organs via the blood is also likely to occur.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

“…Photochemical decomposition was, in a number of studies, shown to be relevant in relation to tattoo pigments, which are selective absorbers of light depending on their colours [6][7][8][9] . Photochemical breakdown products can undergo absorption and expose internal organs to new carcinogens parallel to the skin [10]. Thus, clinical risk of cancers and mutagenic events through tattooing should be seen in a wider perspective, taking the applied dose of tattoo ink, light exposures and local metabolism of ink ingredients into consideration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Search for Internal Cancers in Mice Tattooed with Inks of High Contents of Potential Carcinogens: A One-Year Autopsy Study of Red and Black Tattoo Inks Banned in the Market

Sepehri

Lerche²,

Carlsen³

et al. 2017

Dermatology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and Objective: Tattoo ink stock products often contain potential carcinogens, which on large-scale population exposure may be clinically relevant. The aim of this autopsy study in mice was to screen major organs for clinical and subclinical cancers. Methods: Mice were tattooed on their backs. In total, 48 mice were included and divided into 4 groups; 11 mice tattooed black, 10 tattooed red, and 5 mice serving as untreated controls. A group of 22 mice with black tattoos and exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) were also studied. The black and red inks were both stock products banned on the Danish market due to the measured contents of potential carcinogens; benzo(a)pyrene and 2-anisidine, respectively. The mice were housed for 1 year after tattooing, and autopsy study on internal organs was performed. Tissue samples were systematically taken from major organs for screening of subclinical changes, not detected by visual examination. Any observed deviation from normal structure was subject to biopsy and light microscopy. Results: All mice survived the 1-year observation period. Autopsy revealed no macroscopic signs of cancer. Microscopic search of internal organs showed no subclinical or clinical cancer. Conclusion: Despite extensive tattoos with 2 banned inks, the long-term observation in mice showed no internal cancers nor was the combination of carcinogen and UVR associated with cancer. Lack of observed malignancy might be explained by the fact that tattooing is only a single dose exposure. Registered data on carcinogens relies on repeated or chronic exposures. The study does not support the hypothesis that tattooing causes cancer.

show abstract

“…The amount of ink retained in the skin is dependent on these same variables and type of ink . Typically, 1 to 2.5 mg/cm 2 of pigment are deposited into the dermis . Depth of needle penetration is significant because ink deposited deeply into the dermis will dissipate more quickly than ink deposited directly beneath the basement membrane of the epidermis.…”

Section: Tattoo Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The physiologic response to tattooing, as detailed in Table , is complex, dynamic, and continuous throughout the lifetime of the tattoo . An initial acute inflammatory response, caused by skin cleansers, ink ingredients, and the local trauma of thousands of needlesticks, begins the phagocytic capture and aggregation of pigment particles .…”

Section: Tattoo Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

Women and Tattoos: Fashion, Meaning, and Implications for Health

Farley¹,

Hoover²,

Rademeyer³

2019

J Midwife Womens Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Tattooing is a type of body modification that is both ancient and modern. Tattooing is rapidly increasing in popularity and prevalence, especially among younger people. Therefore, health care providers require knowledge about this form of artistic expression, including potential health implications and psychosocial significance. Tattooing is richly laden with cultural and personal meaning, but despite the increasingly mainstream status of this art form, individuals with tattoos may experience stigma, stereotyping, and discrimination in their personal and professional lives. The legal and regulatory aspects of tattoos have lagged behind the rapid growth of this art form, causing confusion and variation in practice. Particularly concerning is the multitude of largely unregulated tattoo inks marketed for human use but untested on humans. Common and uncommon side effects and complications of this procedure include hypersensitivity, infection, and regret. More women than men are now tattooed, and tattooing is associated with important implications for women's health care, including pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Because of the frequency of regret, many individuals wish to be rid of previously acquired body art. Therefore, health care providers also need to be conversant with tattoo removal: motivations, techniques, risks, and factors influencing success. Familiarity with the many dimensions of body art will facilitate safe, compassionate health care provision and will enhance the therapeutic relationship enjoyed by clinicians and the individuals they serve.

show abstract

Tattoo Pigments Are Observed in the Kupffer Cells of the Liver Indicating Blood-Borne Distribution of Tattoo Ink

Cited by 47 publications

References 26 publications

Tattoo‐associated uveitis with or without systemic sarcoidosis: a comparative review of the literature

Tattoo‐associated uveitis with or without systemic sarcoidosis: a comparative review of the literature

Search for Internal Cancers in Mice Tattooed with Inks of High Contents of Potential Carcinogens: A One-Year Autopsy Study of Red and Black Tattoo Inks Banned in the Market

Women and Tattoos: Fashion, Meaning, and Implications for Health

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About