Improvement of skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis patients with a new moisturizer containing a ceramide precursor.
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by barrier abnormalities, including insufficient ceramides in the stratum corneum (SC).


OBJECTIVE
To measure the effects of a new moisturizer (CRM) containing a ceramide precursor in improving skin barrier function in patients with controlled atopic dermatitis.


METHODS
In this randomized, intra-individual comparison, investigator-blinded study, CRM was applied to the test area of one lower leg for 27 days (the other leg remained as untreated control). Evaluations at baseline and day 28 included transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration by corneometry, dryness severity, Raman spectroscopy, and collection of adverse events.


RESULTS
After 4 weeks of treatment, results showed a significantly greater reduction of TEWL and clinical dryness scores, and increased skin hydration (all p < 01) in the CRM-treated than untreated area. A significantly higher level of ceramide (p < 05) and a trend toward increased water content was observed with Raman in the SC for CRM than for the control. There were no related AEs.


CONCLUSIONS
Skin barrier function and hydration were significantly improved after CRM treatment.
Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-4501, USA. simpsone@ohsu.edu
Eric
E
Simpson
Arne
A
Böhling
Stephan
S
Bielfeldt
Catherine
C
Bosc
Nabil
N
Kerrouche
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D002518:Ceramides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
D002518:Ceramides; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004643:Emollients; D011409:Propylene Glycols; C011189:cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate non-lipid cleansing lotion; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate