A study to determine the effect of tacrolimus on ceramide levels in the stratum corneum of patients with atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized both by inflammation and by abnormally low ceramide levels in the stratum corneum. Tacrolimus, effective in the treatment of AD, inhibits transcription and release of inflammatory cytokines operative in AD, but it is unknown if tacrolimus normalizes ceramide levels.


METHODS
Stratum corneum ceramides of seven subjects with lesional AD were measured before and after treatment with tacrolimus ointment.


RESULTS
Treatment with tacrolimus ointment did not increase the ceramide fractions toward or to normal.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that tacrolimus ointment is effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis due to its anti-inflammatory actions rather than to any restorative effect on stratum corneum ceramides.
Paslin
David
D
Department of Dermatology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA. dplaslin@itsa.ucsf.edu
Wertz
Philip
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002518:Ceramides / Q000378:metabolism*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012016:Reference Values; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002518:Ceramides; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus