Study of a myo-inositol hexaphosphate-based cream to prevent dystrophic calcinosis cutis.
BACKGROUND
Calcinosis cutis is a disorder caused by abnormal deposits of calcium phosphate in the skin and is observed in diverse disorders. Myo-inositol hexaphosphate (InsP(6)) is a diet-dependent molecule found in all mammalian fluids and tissues, which exhibits an extraordinary capacity as a crystallization inhibitor of calcium salts.


OBJECTIVE
To establish the effects of topically administered InsP(6) cream on artificially provoked dystrophic calcifications in soft tissues.


METHODS
Fourteen male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into two groups: control and treated groups. Rats were fed with an InsP(6)-free or phytate diet. Plaque formation was induced by subcutaneous injection of 0.1% KMnO(4) solution. From 4 days before plaque induction to the end of the experiment, control rats were treated topically with a standard cream, whereas treated rats were treated with the same cream with 2% InsP(6) or phytate (as sodium salt). Calcification of plaques was allowed to proceed for 10 days. InsP(6) in urine was determined. The plaques were excised and weighed.


RESULTS
It was found that when InsP(6) was administered topically through a moisturizing cream (2% InsP(6)-rich), the plaque size and weight were notably and significantly reduced compared with the control group (1.6 +/- 1.1 mg InsP(6)-treated, 26.7 +/- 3.0 mg control). The InsP(6) urinary levels for animals treated with the InsP(6)-enriched cream were considerably and significantly higher than those found in animals treated topically with the cream without InsP(6) (16.96 +/- 4.32 mg L(-1) InsP(6)-treated, 0.06 +/- 0.03 mg L(-1) control).


CONCLUSIONS
This demonstrates the important capacity of InsP(6) as a crystallization inhibitor and also demonstrates that it is possible to propose topical use as a new InsP(6) administration route.
Grases
F
F
Laboratory of Renal Lithiasis Research and Biomineralization, University Institute of Health Sciences Research (IUNICS), University of Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain. fgrases@uib.es
Perelló
J
J
Isern
B
B
Prieto
R M
RM
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000652:urine; D011196:Potassium Permanganate; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D009824:Ointments; D011196:Potassium Permanganate; D010833:Phytic Acid