A new moisturizer containing physiologic lipid granules alleviates atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Patients with atopic dermatitis show a defective barrier function. In atopic skin, ceramide is significantly decreased and the secretion of lamellar bodies is also impaired. To mimic lamellar bodies, we prepared lipid granules composed of ceramide, fatty acids and cholesterol. Because these lipid granules contain multiple lamellar structures, it is expected that they will have superior affinity to skin; hence, they should have a good moisturizing effect. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of moisturizer containing lipid granules on atopic dermatitis.


METHODS
Patients with mild atopic dermatitis (n = 30, aged 5-19 years) were recruited and instructed to apply a moisturizer containing physiologic lipid granules for 4 weeks. The SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) score and general symptoms were evaluated. In addition, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum (SC) hydration were also measured.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine patients completed the study. The SCORAD value decreased dramatically after 4 weeks of moisturizer application (p = 0.000). The general symptoms of atopic dermatitis were also greatly improved. At baseline, most patients reported their symptoms as mild and moderate, but after 4 weeks 20 of the patients (69%) had no symptoms. The TEWL was not changed, but the SC hydration increased significantly (p = 0.000). No significant adverse effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Moisturizer containing lipid granules effectively controlled atopic dermatitis.
Na
Jung-Im
JI
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
Hwang
Jae-Sung
JS
Park
Hye-Jin
HJ
Kim
Do-Hoon
DH
Park
Won-Seok
WS
Youn
Sang-Woong
SW
Huh
Chang-Hun
CH
Park
Kyoung-Chan
KC
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D002518:Ceramides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000628:therapy*; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D002518:Ceramides; D004643:Emollients; D005227:Fatty Acids; D002784:Cholesterol