title: The effect of a hydrocolloid dressing containing ceramide-2 on split-thickness wounds in a laser-induced erosion model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lower levels of ceramides in the stratum corneum are considered to be an etiologic factor in the dry and barrier-disrupted skin of patients with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, and xeroderma pigmentosum. Topical ceramides therapy has currently been used to improve skin barrier function. However, little is known about the effect of topical ceramides on wound healing. This study investigated the effect of ceramide-2 on wound healing using a diabetic mouse model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a CO(2) laser to create standard erosions on the dorsal skin of mice, the authors developed a reproducible model of split-thickness wounds. Two wounds were placed on the back symmetrically across the spine of mice. The left-side wounds were covered with the hydrocolloid dressing containing 0.3% ceramide-2, and those on the right were covered with the control hydrocolloid dressing containing no ceramides.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven days after the irradiation, controls showed a transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of 66.58 g/m(2)h on average, which was significantly higher than the mean TEWL of the ceramide-treated wounds, 46.22 g/m(2)h (P < .05, Student t test). Histological assessment also revealed ceramide-2 improved recovery of the erosion morphologically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors' findings suggest for the first time the possibility of the novel application of ceramide as a therapeutic agent for skin erosion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Sunao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ichioka
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sekiya
authors.forename: Saori
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tajima
authors.forename: Tetsuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Numata
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D002518:Ceramides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D002518:Ceramides