Effect of a lipid-rich emollient containing ceramide 3 in experimentally induced skin barrier dysfunction

• Published in: Contact dermatitis 2002-06, Vol.46 (6), p.331-338
• Main Authors: Kucharekova, M., Schalkwijk, J., Van De Kerkhof, P. C. M., Van De Valk, P. G. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Division - drug effects; ceramides; Dermatitis, Irritant - drug therapy; Dermatitis, Irritant - etiology; Dermatitis, Irritant - physiopathology; Dermatology; emollients; Emollients - administration & dosage; Emollients - pharmacology; Emollients - therapeutic use; Female; Glycosphingolipids - administration & dosage; Glycosphingolipids - pharmacology; Glycosphingolipids - therapeutic use; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Langerhans Cells - drug effects; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Organic Chemicals; Patch Tests; Reference Values; Skin - cytology; Skin - drug effects; Skin - physiopathology; skin barrier; Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects; skin lipids; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; sodium dodecyl sulphate; tape stripping; Water Loss, Insensible - drug effects
• ISSN: 0105-1873; 1600-0536
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0536.2002.460603.x

In the present study we compared the effect of a ceramide 3‐containing emollient (Locobase® Repair) with a control emollient (vaselinum album/cremor lanette ana) and untreated damaged skin using clinical, bioengineering and immunohistochemical methods in two different models of experimentally induced skin barrier dysfunction. In model A (n = 13) skin barrier dysfunction was inflicted at three investigation sites by tape stripping. In model B (n = 13) the volunteers were patch tested at three investigation sites with sodium dodecyl sulphate (0.2%) for 4 h a day for 4 consecutive days. The investigation sites were treated once a day with the above‐mentioned agents. Irritant reaction was assessed daily by erythema scoring and measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL). After 5D, punch biopsies were taken from all sites. Immunohistochemical assessment was carried out with respect to epidermal proliferation, epidermal differentiation and Langerhans cells. Tape stripping resulted in an erythematous reaction and an increase of TEWL associated with up‐regulation of cycling cells, involucrin and expression of cytokeratin 16. At day 4, ceramide 3‐containing emollient significantly decreased (p