title: Efficacy and safety of 15(R/S)-methyl-lipoxin A(4)  in topical treatment of infantile eczema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lipoxins are potential anti-inflammatory mediators and serve as an endogenous 'braking signal' in the inflammatory process. Accumulating evidence has indicated the efficacy of lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4) ) and its analogs in the treatment of many animal models of inflammatory diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the efficacy and safety of 15(R/S)-methyl-lipoxin A(4) in the topical treatment of infantile eczema.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this two-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-groups comparative study, 60 patients were randomly assigned to receive either the 15(R/S)-methyl-lipoxin A(4) cream, mometasone furoate (Eloson, Schering-Plough, Shanghai, China) or placebo for 10days. The efficacy was determined using the Severity Scale Score (SSS), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and the Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL). Safety was monitored by physical examination, laboratory investigation and documentation of clinical adverse events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment of eczema with 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA(4) cream significantly relieved the severity, induced a recovery, and improved the quality of life of the patients, as demonstrated by significantly reduced SSS, EASI and IDQOL, respectively, in a way similar to the efficacy of Eloson. All safety parameters remained within normal limits. No clinical adverse event was found in the three patient groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  15(R/S)-methyl-LXA(4) was well tolerated, and significantly reduced the severity of eczema. The results of this small exploratory study suggest that 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA(4) warrants further investigation in the treatment of eczema.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China. kad-yc@163.com
authors: S-H
authors: SH
authors: Wu
authors: X-Q
authors: XQ
authors: Chen
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Liu
authors: H-J
authors: HJ
authors: Wu
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dong
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D044045:Lipoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D009824:Ointments / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011244:Pregnadienediols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C512487:15-methyl-lipoxin A4; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D044045:Lipoxins; D009824:Ointments; D011244:Pregnadienediols; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate