title: Fungal chitin-glucan scaffold for managing diabetic xerosis of the feet in menopausal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Corneocyte accumulation (hyperkeratosis, xerosis) commonly occurs in the stratum corneum (SC) of the feet of diabetic patients, as well as menopausal women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of a 2.5% chitin-glucan formulation with its placebo, and commercially available glycerol formulations.
  
  
  METHODS
  This two-step controlled double-blind, randomized, intra-individual study was performed in 30 type 1 and 2 diabetic menopausal women suffering from xerosis of the feet. The formulations were applied once daily for 3 weeks. Electrometric assessments were performed on three sites of the feet at entry in the study, at weekly intervals during the treatment phase, and in a 2-week follow-up out of treatment. Positive controls consisted in two commercially available formulations enriched in glycerol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data revealed an unequivocal benefit provided by the 2.5% chitin-glucan formulation compared with placebo. The electrometric values were significantly higher at each evaluation time during both treatment and follow-up phases. The two glycerol-enriched formulations showed slightly different kinetics of SC moisturization. A steep increase was followed by a plateau level and a rapid decline after stopping the treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased moisturization of the SC of the sole probably improves the desquamation process and reduces xerosis of the soles.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Liège, Laboratory of Skin Bioengineering and Imaging, Department of Dermatopathology, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quatresooz
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piérard-Franchimont
authors.forename: Grégory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szepetiuk
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Devillers
authors.forename: Gérald E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Piérard
mesh_terms: D002686:Chitin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000187:drug effects; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004643:Emollients; D047071:beta-Glucans; D014867:Water; D002686:Chitin