title: In vivo assessment of cytological changes by means of reflectance confocal microscopy - demonstration of the effect of topical vitamin E on skin irritation caused by sodium lauryl sulfate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by skin barrier damage. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is commonly used in cosmetics to prevent photo-damage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To show the usefulness of reflectance confocal microscopy in the assessment of irritant skin damage caused by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and of the protective action of vitamin E applied prior to skin irritation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy volunteers were enrolled. Irritation was induced by the application of a patch test containing SLS 5% aq. for 24 h. Three sites were compared: one site on which a product with vitamin E was applied before SLS treatment, one site on which the same product was applied after SLS treatment, and one control site (SLS only). Each site was evaluated with reflectance confocal microscopy, providing in vivo tissue images at nearly histological resolution. We also performed a computerized analysis of the VivaStack® images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reflectance confocal microscopy is able to identify signs of skin irritation and the preventive effect of vitamin E application.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reflectance confocal microscopy is useful in the objective assessment of irritative skin damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casari
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farnetani
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: De Pace
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Losi
authors.affiliation: ORION Concept, 37000, Tours, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pittet
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pellacani
authors.affiliation: Department of Skin Cancer Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova IRCCS, 42100, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Longo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D023422:Skin Irritancy Tests; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D007509:Irritants; D014815:Vitamins; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
keywords: irritative dermatitis; reflectance confocal microscopy; vitamin E