title: Application of Topical Acids Improves Atopic Dermatitis in Murine Model by Enhancement of Skin Barrier Functions Regardless of the Origin of Acids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The acidic pH of the stratum corneum (SC) is important for epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis. Acidification of the skin surface has been suggested as a therapeutic strategy for skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We performed an animal study to evaluate the usefulness of acidification of SC for inhibition of AD lesions and to find out if the therapeutic effect of vinegar is attributable to its herbal contents, rather than its acidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five groups of six oxazolone-treated (Ox)-AD mice were treated for three weeks with creams of different acidity: vehicle cream alone (pH 5.5), neutralized vinegar cream (pH 7.4), pH 5.0 vinegar cream, pH 3.5 vinegar cream, and pH 3.5 hydrogen chloride (HCl) cream. Also, we have compared two groups of Ox-AD mice treated with pH 5.5 vehicle cream or pH 5.5 vinegar cream.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ox-AD mice treated with acidic creams exhibited fewer AD-like lesions, had significantly lower eczema scores, decreased basal by transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and increased SC hydration compared to the groups given only vehicle and neutral cream. There was no significant difference between the acidic vinegar and HCl groups. Between the groups treated with vehicle and pH 5.5 vinegar cream, there was no difference in eczema score, basal TEWL and SC hydration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of topical acids, regardless of their source materials, inhibits the development of AD lesions by maintenance of skin surface pH and skin barrier function in murine model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Noo Ri
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Na Young
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Donghye
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Minyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Eung Ho
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Choi
keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Skin barrier; Skin pH; Topical acid; Vinegar