Fungal chitin-glucan scaffold for managing diabetic xerosis of the feet in menopausal women.
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.
Quatresooz
Pascale
P
University Hospital of Liège, Laboratory of Skin Bioengineering and Imaging, Department of Dermatopathology, Liège, Belgium.
Piérard-Franchimont
Claudine
C
Szepetiuk
Grégory
G
Devillers
Céline
C
Piérard
Gérald E
GE
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*
D004643:Emollients; D047071:beta-Glucans; D014867:Water; D002686:Chitin