title: Effects of Locally Applied Glycerol and Xylitol on the Hydration, Barrier Function and Morphological Parameters of the Skin.
abstract: Glycerol and xylitol hydrate the skin and improve its barrier function over a short period. We studied the effects of glycerol and xylitol on the physiological properties and morphology of the skin after longer-term application. Twelve volunteers with dry skin were examined. Three areas on the arms were determined. Area 1 served as untreated control. The vehicle was applied to area 2, while area 3 was treated twice daily with a formulation containing glycerol (5%) and xylitol (5%) for 14 days. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration and biomechanical properties of the skin were monitored. Biopsies were taken for routine histology and immunohistochemistry for filaggrin and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). The polyols increased the skin hydration and protein quantity of filaggrin, elevated the interdigitation index, decreased the TEWL and improved the biomechanical properties of the skin, but did not change the protein expression of MMP-1. A combination of glycerol and xylitol can be useful additional therapy for dry skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary. csillakorponyai81@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Csilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Korponyai
authors.forename: Edit
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szél
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Behány
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mohos
authors.forename: Ágnes
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Dura
authors.forename: Shabtay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dikstein
authors.forename: Lajos
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kemény
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Erős
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D005782:Gels; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000187:drug effects; D014993:Xylitol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: C000717249:FLG protein, human; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D005782:Gels; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; D005990:Glycerol; D014993:Xylitol