title: Noninvasive stratum corneum sampling and electron microscopical examination of skin barrier integrity: pilot study with a topical glycerin formulation for atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Therapy of atopic dermatitis encloses use of medicated and nonmedicated preparations. Results of clinical and biophysical procedures indirectly describe the condition of the impaired skin barrier (SB). Direct evaluation of SB integrity is only possible by electron microscopical visualization, e.g. intercellular lipid lamellae (ICLL) organization of the stratum corneum.
  
  
  METHODS
  SB integrity was measured by morphometric analysis of ICLL in healthy and atopic skin and after a 15-day treatment (plus 7-day follow-up) of atopic skin with a glycerin preparation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant treatment effect was shown by the restoration of the ICLL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study reveals that morphometric analysis of ICLL organization is suitable to differentiate between healthy and diseased skin and to semiquantitatively determine the effect of a nonmedicated glycerin formulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small treatment cohort.
authors.affiliation: Spirig Pharma AG, Egerkingen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daehnhardt-Pfeiffer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Surber
authors.forename: K-P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Daehnhardt
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Springmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boettcher
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Foelster-Holst
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005079:Excipients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010539:Permeability; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005079:Excipients; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D005990:Glycerol