scholarly journals Is There a Relationship between Transepidermal Water Loss and Microbial Biodiversity on the Skin?

Cosmetics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Wallen-Russell

As described in previous work, TEWL (transepidermal water loss) is used as an indicator of skin barrier function and health by scientists at top research institutions. However, it is known to be unreliable because many other factors determine its value, such as humidity, temperature and moisture content of the skin. In this study, to help elucidate whether it is a good indicator of the health of skin, we used bivariate linear correlation analysis and the Pearson correlation coefficient to compare values of skin microbial biodiversity with TEWL. In 2017 in our previous work, microbial biodiversity was found to currently be the only reliable indicator of skin health. Diversity was also compared with moisture content and pH, along with TEWL vs. moisture. All data was taken from the use of human participants in our previous work in 2018. Results showed no linear correlation between microbial biodiversity and TEWL rates or any of the other variables. This suggests the need for researchers to make conclusions about TEWL rates and their meaning with regards to skin function and health, with caution. Future work should consider the possibility of non-linear relationships, use larger datasets and mitigate against the effect of non-normally distributed data.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trinidad Montero-Vilchez ◽  
María-Victoria Segura-Fernández-Nogueras ◽  
Isabel Pérez-Rodríguez ◽  
Miguel Soler-Gongora ◽  
Antonio Martinez-Lopez ◽  
...  

Multiple diagnostic tools are used to evaluate psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) severity, but most of them are based on subjective components. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and temperature are skin barrier function parameters that can be objectively measured and could help clinicians to evaluate disease severity accurately. Thus, the aims of this study are: (1) to compare skin barrier function between healthy skin, psoriatic skin and AD skin; and (2) to assess if skin barrier function parameters could predict disease severity. A cross-sectional study was designed, and epidermal barrier function parameters were measured. The study included 314 participants: 157 healthy individuals, 92 psoriatic patients, and 65 atopic dermatitis patients. TEWL was significantly higher, while stratum corneum hydration (SCH) (8.71 vs. 38.43 vs. 44.39 Arbitrary Units (AU)) was lower at psoriatic plaques than at uninvolved psoriatic skin and healthy controls. Patients with both TEWL > 13.85 g·m−2h−1 and temperature > 30.85 °C presented a moderate/severe psoriasis (psoriasis area severity index (PASI) ≥ 7), with a specificity of 76.3%. TEWL (28.68 vs. 13.15 vs. 11.60 g·m−2 h−1) and temperature were significantly higher, while SCH (25.20 vs. 40.95 vs. 50.73 AU) was lower at AD eczematous lesions than uninvolved AD skin and healthy controls. Patients with a temperature > 31.75 °C presented a moderate/severe AD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) ≥ 37) with a sensitivity of 81.8%. In conclusion, temperature and TEWL values may help clinicians to determine disease severity and select patients who need intensive treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 354-359
Author(s):  
Chin Yee Woo ◽  
Mark JA Koh ◽  
Winnie KY Fung ◽  
Cheri SH Chan ◽  
Chong Bing Chua ◽  
...  

Introduction: Cast immobilisation remains the mainstay of treatment for various fractures in paediatric patients, yet patients commonly complain of skin irritation and discomfort. This study aimed to perform a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the effects of cast immobilisation on the skin of children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 6–17 years of age with a fracture treated in a fiberglass short-arm or short-leg cast were recruited. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum (SC) hydration, hair density and presence of any skin signs were assessed before and after cast. Patients were required to complete a weekly questionnaire to rate itch, malodour, warmth, and dampness of the skin under the cast. Results: A total of 60 subjects completed the study. Thirty-six patients received a short-arm cast; 24 received a short-leg cast. Upon cast removal, TEWL was significantly increased on the volar surface of the arms and legs (P <0.05), and the dorsal surface of the arm (P <0.05). Likewise, SC hydration was significantly increased at most sites (P <0.05), except the volar surface of the leg (P = 0.513). There was no change in hair density. Throughout the duration of casting, there was an increase in itch and malodour scores. Conclusions: Moderate but significant changes in TEWL, SC hydration and subjective symptoms were observed during the duration of cast immobilisation, demonstrating that cast immobilisation for up to 4 weeks exerts moderate adverse impact on patients’ skin. Further studies to explore the use of better materials for cast immobilisation to improve skin barrier function and overall patient satisfaction are warranted. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2020;49:285–93 Ann Acad Med Singapore 2020;49:354–59 Key words: Cast immobilisation, Transepidermal water loss, Stratum corneum hydration


2008 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 841-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichiro SHIMADA ◽  
Toru YOSHIHARA ◽  
Masahiko YAMAMOTO ◽  
Katsuhiko KONNO ◽  
Yasuyuki MOMOI ◽  
...  

2002 ◽  
Vol 118 (5) ◽  
pp. 871-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P. Chilcott ◽  
Christopher H. Dalton ◽  
Andrew J. Emmanuel ◽  
Ceri E. Allen ◽  
Simon T. Bradley

Cosmetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Hisae Aoshima ◽  
Rinta Ibuki ◽  
Masayuki Ito ◽  
Hirokazu Kawagishi

A clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of 2-aza-8-oxohypoxanthine (AOH) on human skin in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, and split-face comparative trial. To this end, a topical lotion containing 0.1% of AOH and its placebo formulation were applied in 20 Japanese subjects (age: 41–58 years, average: 48.4 ± 4.7 years) to their faces daily for eight weeks. The moisture content in the stratum corneum and the trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured at the beginning of the study and after eight weeks. The results obtained upon comparing the data of the two measuring points showed that the 0.1% AOH lotion caused a statistically significant larger decrease in TEWL after eight weeks. Moreover, the 0.1% AOH lotion produced a larger increase in the moisture content in the stratum corneum after eight weeks, although there was no statistical difference between the two formulations. These results clearly indicate that AOH is effective as a cosmetic agent with a skin barrier function against water loss.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 385
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Takara ◽  
Kazuo Yamamoto ◽  
Naoko Suzuki ◽  
Shinichiro Yamashita ◽  
Shin-ichiro Iio ◽  
...  

Background and objective: The ingestion of plant-derived glucosylceramides (GlcCer) has been reported to contribute to skin barrier function and hydration of the epidermis. b-sitosterol glucoside (BSG) colocalized with GlcCer in the rice hydrophobic fraction has been shown to increase ceramides in the stratum corneum in vitro. Although clinical studies demonstrated that GlcCer reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL), the contribution of BSG to epidermal dehydration when applied with GlcCer remains unknown. Therefore, we herein conducted a clinical trial on the effects of a rice-derived mixed fraction of GlcCer and BSG (Oryza Ceramide®) on TEWL and other skin parameters. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study design was used. Oryza Ceramide® (type PCD, 40 mg daily) containing 1.2 mg of GlcCer and 40 mg of BSG was used as the active sample. We enrolled 44 healthy Japanese women with epidermal dehydration. All subjects were randomly allocated to an active group (n=22) or placebo group (n=22) using a computerized random number generator. Capsules containing the active sample or placebo were administered for 12 weeks between August and December 2020. Cheek TEWL after 12 weeks was assessed as the primary outcome, and TEWL on a different part of the skin and various skin parameters, including epidermal moisture, pigmentation, pores, and elasticity, were measured before and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of the intervention. Blood, urine, and body parameters were also examined to evaluate safety.Results: Forty-four subjects completed the trial, and the per protocol set comprised 22 each in the active and placebo groups. Cheek TEWL significantly reduced after the Oryza Ceramide® intervention for 4 and 12 weeks. Among the secondary outcomes examined, lip moisture (12 weeks) and visible pore number (4 weeks) were improved by Oryza Ceramide®. Laboratory tests revealed no abnormalities to suggest any adverse effects of Oryza Ceramide®.Conclusions: Oryza Ceramide® (40 mg/day) consisting of GlcCer and BSG improved facial TEWL, lip moisture, and visible pores, and these effects may be attributed to increases in epidermal ceramides. The combination of rice GlcCer and BSG appears to be beneficial for improving facial skin conditions.Trial Registration: UMIN-CTR: UMIN000041295Foundation: The study was funded by Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Co., Ltd. and Aichi Prefectural Subsidies for Research and Development of Creative Products in 2020.Keywords: rice; glucosylceramide; β-sitosterol glucoside; trans epidermal water loss; pore 


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