Non-Invasive Evaluation of Tacalcitol Plus Puva versus Tacalcitol Plus UVB-NB in the Treatment of Psoriasis: “Right-Left Intra-Individual — Pre/Post Comparison Design”

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 755-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Brazzelli ◽  
T. Barbagallo ◽  
F. Prestinari ◽  
C. Rona ◽  
A. De Silvestri ◽  
...  

Photochemotherapy with psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) and phototherapy with UVB narrow band (UVB-NB) are used in the treatment of psoriasis. Numerous studies have shown that the additional administration of either topical or systemic antipsoriatic agents may effectively increase the efficacy of these therapies. This study aimed to compare through objective data the efficacy of topical tacalcitol in combination with PUVA or UVB-NB versus PUVA and UVB-NB monotherapy in the treatment of mild to moderate chronic plaque psoriasis. Modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration were used to monitor the restoration of skin barrier in the psoriatic plaques of 40 patients during photochemotherapy. The study was a right-left, intra-individual, pre/post comparison trial. PUVA and UVB-NB treatments were given three times a week. On those plaques localized on the right side of the body tacalcitol ointment was applied once a day, in the evening. Corneometry, TEWL and modified PASI score were used to evaluate the response to the treatment at baseline, one month and two months. Thirty-six of the forty enrolled subjects completed the study. The comparison between combination treatments and the PUVA/UVB-NB monotherapy showed no significant differences with regard to modified PASI index. However, significant differences were recorded with regard to TEWL and corneometry. The combination of tacalcitol plus PUVA or tacalcitol plus UVB-NB restored epidermal barrier functions as well as skin hydration faster than PUVA or UVB-NB monotherapy (TEWL: p=0.0050 and corneometry: p=0.003). The combination of tacalcitol plus UVB-NB allowed a better restoration of skin barrier functions than tacalcitol plus PUVA (p=0.013). In conclusion, the combination of tacalcitol plus PUVA or plus UVB-NB improves the therapeutic result. In addition, the data from TEWL and skin hydration suggest a means in which tacalcitol plus UVB-NB induces a better normalization of skin biophysical parameters.

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Gołyński ◽  
Marcin Szczepanik ◽  
Krzysztof Lutnicki ◽  
Łukasz Adamek ◽  
Magdalena Gołyńska ◽  
...  

Abstract The paper describes the influence of oral administration of methimazole on biophysical skin parameters. Wistar rats of different sex (220-260 g) were used in the experiment. Biophysical skin parameters, such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), corneometry, and pH were examined at seven-day intervals. Significant changes in the parameters were observed on the 7th d of methimazole administration. The changes were observed in both sex but males appeared to be less sensitive in that respect. Changes in the parameters in the females showed rapid mechanisms, which normalised transepidermal water loss and skin hydration, as well as restored skin barrier functions. TEWL, skin hydration, and skin pH measurements allow an early assessment of skin barrier dysfunction after administration of this drug.


Cosmetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Ana Barrionuevo-Gonzalez ◽  
Sonja Trapp ◽  
Raffaella de Salvo ◽  
Rozalia Olsavszky ◽  
Elena Alina Nanu ◽  
...  

Two novel body/face wash gels enriched with emollient ingredients (including dexpanthenol) were developed for the daily care of dry skin. Two similarly designed 2-week studies (N = 42 each) were conducted to assess the biophysical and cosmetic performance of each of the new wash gels in healthy adults with dry skin. Instrumental measurements quantified the effects of the wash gels on stratum corneum (SC) hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (with and without a previous sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) challenge) after single and repeated usage. Following single and repeated applications of the face wash gel to facial skin, as well as to dry SLS-undamaged and SLS-damaged skin of the forearm, skin hydration significantly increased. Similarly, after single and repeated usage of the body wash gel to dry SLS-undamaged and SLS-damaged skin of the forearm, skin moisturization increased significantly from baseline; comparisons with control areas provided inconsistent results for SLS-undamaged skin. No effects on TEWL were observed for either product. Both wash gels were well tolerated and the cosmetic performances were appreciated by the subjects. The study results suggest that daily use of the new wash gels was associated with significant skin-moisturizing effects without adversely affecting skin barrier function and repair.


2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.P. Szczepanik ◽  
P.M. Wilkołek ◽  
M. Pluta ◽  
Ł.R. Adamek ◽  
Z.J.H. Pomorski

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate transepidermal water loss, skin hydration and skin pH in normal ponies. Sixteen ponies of both sexes were examined in the study. Measurements were taken from seven different sites: the neck region, the shoulder, thorax, lumbar, inguinal, lip region and the auricle. In each of the regions transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and skin pH were measured. For transepidermal water loss, the lowest values were observed in the lumbar region (9.71g/hm2), while the highest values were observed in the lip region (22.35 g/hm2). In the case of skin hydration the lowest values were observed for the thorax region (2.13 CU), and the highest for the lip region (41.81 CU). For skin pH, the lowest results were obtained in the lumbar region (6.93), and the highest in the lip region (7.96).


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-593
Author(s):  
Sylvia Anggraeni ◽  
Menul Ayu Umborowati ◽  
Damayanti Damayanti ◽  
Anang Endaryanto ◽  
Cita Rosita Sigit Prakoeswa

Abstract Objectives Batik dyes contain irritant chemicals that increase the risk of skin barrier disruption. This study aims to determine the effect of Centella asiatica and ceramide in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration of the stratum corneum and skin acidity (pH). Methods This was a double blind clinical trial of 30 Indonesian batik workers who suffered from skin dryness, but had no clinical manifestation of contact dermatitis. Subjects were given cream containing C. asiatica or ceramide that formulated and randomly labeled by manufacturer (PT Paragon Technology and Innovation). Both subjects and researchers were blinded to the type of the cream. Cream was applied to the hands and arms twice a day. Biological function of the skin (TEWL, stratum corneum hydration level, and skin acidity) was examined by Cutometer dual MP-580. Baseline was recorded in the first examination, followed by second and third examinations at two and four weeks after treatment. Results After four weeks treatment, there were significant improvement of C. asiatica application in evaluation of corneometer palmar (p=0.007; CI 95%), corneometer dorsum (p=0.001; CI 95%), and skin acidity dorsum (p=0.017; CI 95%). Ceramide application also gave significant improvement of corneometer palmar (0.038; CI 95%), skin acidity palmar (p=0.001; CI 95%), TEWL dorsum (p=0.023; CI 95%), corneometer dorsum (p=0.002; CI 95%) and skin acidity dorsum (p=0.011; CI 95%). There were no significant differences of C. asiatica effectiveness compared to ceramide in skin barrier improvement. Conclusions C. asiatica and ceramide can improve skin barrier hydration in order to prevent the risk of contact dermatitis in batik workers.


Author(s):  
Atsushi Suzuki ◽  
Tomoko Nomura ◽  
Hiroko Jokura ◽  
Naoya Kitamura ◽  
Akihiko Fujii ◽  
...  

Abstract. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phytochemical compound with various physiologic functions. To clarify the effect of FA intake on skin barrier function (SBF), we conducted a placebo-controlled double-blind pilot trial. Sixteen healthy subjects were divided into 2 groups (n = 8) and ingested capsules containing either FA (200 mg) or placebo daily for 2 weeks. Two measures of SBF, transepidermal water loss and stratum corneum hydration, were assessed before and 2 weeks after the start of the study. Autonomic nervous activity, which is suggested to be related to SBF, was also measured. Compared with the values obtained before the start of the study, FA intake significantly reduced transepidermal water loss (from 6.1 ± 1.1 to 4.8 ± 1.0 g/m2/h, p = 0.005) and increased stratum corneum hydration (from 30.1 ± 7.6 to 32.3 ± 8.1 a.u., p = 0.027) after 2 weeks. In addition, the amount change in sympathetic nervous activity was significantly reduced after ingesting the FA capsules compared with the placebo capsules (−0.7 ± 1.6 vs. 1.1 ± 1.4, p = 0.035). These findings suggest that FA supplementation decreases sympathetic nervous activity and strengthens SBF in healthy men.


Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 530
Author(s):  
Justyna Kozlowska ◽  
Bartosz Tylkowski ◽  
Natalia Stachowiak ◽  
Weronika Prus-Walendziak

Human skin has protective functions and it is a barrier that protects the interior of the body from harmful environmental factors and pathogen penetration. An important role of the skin is also to prevent the loss of water from the body and if the skin barrier is damaged, the amount of water emitted from the internal environment is increased. Therefore, it is crucial to recovery and maintenance of epidermal barrier integrity. The aim of the current work was to encapsulate Calendula officinalis flower extract in gelatin microspheres and then incorporation microspheres into thin polymeric films made from sodium alginate or mixture of sodium alginate and starch. Such materials may find applications in the cosmetic field for example in the preparation of masks for skin, according to the Calendula officinalis flower extract wide influence on skin condition. Thus, the release profile of this extract from the materials was tested under conditions corresponding to the skin (pH 5.4, 37 °C). The mechanical properties, surface free energy, and moisture content of obtained films were measured. To determine the barrier quality of the stratum corneum, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin color measurements were performed. The loaded microspheres were successfully incorporated into polymeric films without affecting its useful properties. Although the values of Young’s modulus and the moisture content were decreased after film modification by microspheres addition, the skin parameters were much better after application of films with microspheres. The results confirmed that obtained materials can be potentially used in cosmetics to improve the skin barrier quality.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Firooz ◽  
Bardia Sadr ◽  
Shahab Babakoohi ◽  
Maryam Sarraf-Yazdy ◽  
Ferial Fanian ◽  
...  

Background. Understanding the physiological, chemical, and biophysical characteristics of the skin helps us to arrange a proper approach to the management of skin diseases.Objective. The aim of this study was to measure 6 biophysical characteristics of normal skin (sebum content, hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema index, melanin index, and elasticity) in a normal population and assess the effect of sex, age, and body location on them.Methods. Fifty healthy volunteers in 5 age groups (5 males and females in each) were enrolled in this study. A multifunctional skin physiology monitor (Courage & Khazaka electronic GmbH, Germany) was used to measure skin sebum content, hydration, TEWL, erythema index, melanin index, and elasticity in 8 different locations of the body.Results. There were significant differences between the hydration, melanin index, and elasticity of different age groups. Regarding the locations, forehead had the highest melanin index, where as palm had the lowest value. The mean values of erythema index and melanin index and TEWL were significantly higher in males and anatomic location was a significant independent factor for all of 6 measured parameters.Conclusion. Several biophysical properties of the skin vary among different gender, age groups, and body locations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 3897
Author(s):  
Trinidad Montero-Vilchez ◽  
Antonio Martinez-Lopez ◽  
Alvaro Sierra-Sanchez ◽  
Miguel Soler-Gongora ◽  
Eladio Jimenez-Mejias ◽  
...  

Psoriasis is a major global health problem. There is a need to develop techniques to help physicians select the most appropriate cost-effective therapy for each patient. The main objectives of this study are (1) to evaluate changes in epidermal barrier function and skin homeostasis after phototherapy and (2) to explore potentially predictive values in epidermal barrier function and skin homeostasis to assess clinical improvement after fifteen sessions of phototherapy. A total of 76 subjects, 38 patients with plaque-type psoriasis and 38 gender- and age-matched healthy volunteers, were included in the study. Erythema, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), temperature, stratum corneum hydration (SCH), pH, sebum, and antioxidant capacity were measured before and after the first and fifteenth phototherapy session. Erythema (401.09 vs. 291.12 vs. 284.52 AU, p < 0.001) and TEWL (18.23 vs. 11.44 vs. 11.41 g·m−2·h−1, p < 0.001) were significantly higher at psoriatic plaques than in uninvolved psoriatic skin and healthy volunteers, respectively, while SCH was lower (9.71 vs. 44.64 vs. 40.00 AU, p < 0.001). After fifteen phototherapy sessions, TEWL (–5.19 g·m−2·h−1, p = 0.016) decreased while SCH (+7.01 AU, p = 0.013) and erythema (+30.82 AU, p = 0.083) increased at psoriatic plaques. An erythema increase exceeding 53.23 AU after the first phototherapy session, with a sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 84.2%, indicates that a patient may improve Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) by ≥3 points after fifteen phototherapy sessions. In conclusion, phototherapy improves epidermal barrier function in psoriatic patients and the erythema increase after one phototherapy session could help doctors select psoriasis patients who are more likely to respond to phototherapy.


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