title: Characterization of atopic skin and the effect of a hyperforin-rich cream by laser scanning microscopy.
abstract: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial inflammatory skin disease that affects both children and adults in an increasing manner. The treatment of AD often reduces subjective skin parameters, such as itching, dryness, and tension, but the inflammation cannot be cured. Laser scanning microscopy was used to investigate the skin surface, epidermal, and dermal characteristics of dry and atopic skin before and after treatment with an ointment rich in hyperforin, which is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. The results were compared to subjective parameters and transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum moisture, and stratum corneum lipids. Using biophysical methods, in particular laser scanning microscopy, it was found that atopic skin has distinct features compared to healthy skin. Treatment with a hyperforin-rich ointment resulted in an improvement of the stratum corneum moisture, skin surface dryness, skin lipids, and the subjective skin parameters, indicating that the barrier is stabilized and improved by the ointment. But in contrast to the improved skin surface, the inflammation in the deeper epidermis/dermis often continues to exist. This could be clearly shown by the reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) measurements. Therefore, RCM measurements could be used to investigate the progress in treatment of atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Berlin 10117, Germany.
authors.forename: Martina C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Meinke
authors.affiliation: Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Berlin 10117, Germany.
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.affiliation: Klosterfrau Berlin GmbH, Berlin 12277, Germany.
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kleemann
authors.affiliation: Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Berlin 10117, Germany.
authors.forename: Juergen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lademann
authors.affiliation: University of Hamburg, Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, Hamburg 20146, Germany.
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tscherch
authors.affiliation: University of Hamburg, Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, Hamburg 20146, Germany.
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rohn
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Freiburg, Research Center Skintegral, Freiburg 79104, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schempp
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000737:chemistry; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009824:Ointments; D010696:Phloroglucinol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D008055:Lipids; D009824:Ointments; D013729:Terpenes; D010696:Phloroglucinol; C001654:hyperforin