Abstract

Background: Xerosis is a common skin manifestation in chronic renal disease. Itching from dry skin causes skin discomfort, scratch marks, and compromises skin barrier function. Objective: To compare the efficacy of moisturizer containing 5% urea, natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), ceramide, and glyceryl glucoside (GG) with 5% urea lotion for treatment of xerosis in patients with underlying stable chronic kidney disease. Material and Method: We performed a randomized, double-blind, split-side, experimental study in 50 children with xerosis in stable chronic kidney disease. The patients were assigned sequentially by block randomization to use either moisturizing lotion containing 5% urea, NMFs, ceramide, and GG or 5% urea on opposite sides of the lower leg, twice daily for four weeks. The moisturizers were repacked in identical bottles. Clinical severity of xerosis, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were evaluated at baseline and at at one, two, and four weeks. Results: Forty-seven of 50 patients completed the study. The mean age was 13.43±2.3years. Both products significantly decreased clinical severity of scaling and roughness from baseline (p<0.001).  Application of moisturizer containing 5% urea, NMFs, ceramide, and GG resulted in significantly higher skin hydration and lower TEWL compared with 5% urea lotion (both p<0.01), from week 1. Regarding the safety of using urea in chronic kidney disease, there were no significant differences in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels between pre- and post-treatment (p = 0.627). No adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: Both moisturizing lotions containing 5% urea, NMFs, ceramide, and GG and 5% urea were effective in improving scaling and roughness, skin hydration, and skin barrier function in stable chronic pediatric kidney disease patients. Additional ingredients, such as NMFs, ceramide, and GG can significantly improve xerosis, skin hydration, and skin barrier function. Products containing 5% urea applied on the lower legs for four weeks do not increase BUN or creatinine levels.

Abstract

Glycoin® natural (INCI: Glyceryl Glucoside) is an ECOCERT certified multifunctional active ingredient. In nature this strong extremolyte is produced by the desert resurrection plant Myrothamnus flabellifolia and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). For cosmetic use the natural glyceryl glucoside isomer (2-O-a-D-glucopyranosyl glycerol) is manu factured with high purity by an enzymatic process. Glyceryl glucosides are mentioned for increasing skin elasticity, moisturizing, and reduction of symptoms like itching, burning, tightness, tingling, and feeling of dryness. In vitro assays in cell cultures and skin models demonstrate strong activity of Glycoin® natural on aged and stressed skin cells with rejuvenating, recovering and radical scavenging properties. In vivo treatments confirm positive effects on increased skin elasticity, smoothness and thickness; the epidermis and dermis density regenerates

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) is an aquaglyceroporin and peroxiporin that plays a crucial role in skin barrier homeostasis. Dysregulated AQP3 expression has been observed in different inflammatory skin conditions. Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is an autoinflammatory keratinization disease that typically appears between 10 and 21 years of age, characterized by alteration of skin barrier homeostasis. METHODS: To evaluate in vitro the role of AQP3 in the development of HS, we performed real-time PCR and Western blot to analyze gene and protein levels in human keratinocyte cell lines knock-out (KO) for NCSTN and PSENEN genes, simulating genetic-associated HS. Additionally, we investigated the impact of Glyceryl Glucoside (GG) on biological processes by performing MTT, scratch, proliferation assays and proteome studies. RESULTS: We detected a significant decrease of the levels of AQP3 gene and protein in KO cell lines. GG effectively elevated the levels of mRNA and protein, significantly decreased the hyperproliferation rate, and enhanced cell migration in our in vitro model of genetic Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Pathway enrichment analysis further confirmed GG's role in the migration and proliferation pathways of keratinocytes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that AQP3 may act as a new novel actor in HS etio-pathogenesis, and GG could be further explored as potential treatment option for managing HS in patients

Abstract

Sensory neurons release calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) on stimulation. We have reported that topical application of capsaicin increases facial skin elasticity by increasing the production of dermal insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) through stimulation of sensory neurons in mice and humans. In this study, we examined whether topical application of α-d-glucosylglycerol (GG), a compound found in Japanese traditional brewed foods such as sake (Japanese rice wine), increases the dermal production of IGF-I in mice and increases the facial skin elasticity in females. GG increased CGRP release and cAMP levels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons isolated from wild-type mice. Pretreatment with capsazepine, an inhibitor of vanilloid receptor-1 activation, and with KT5720, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, reversed GG-induced increases in CGRP release from DRG neurons. Topical application of GG increased dermal levels of IGF-I, IGF-I mRNA, and collagen in wild-type mice, but not in CGRP-knockout mice. Topical application of GG increased cheek-skin elasticity in 13 female volunteers. These observations strongly suggest that GG increases the production of IGF-I in the skin through sensory neuron stimulation, thereby increasing skin elasticity.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of Light Formulation, an oil-in-water emulsion, and Rich Formulation, a water-in-oil emulsion, for the treatment of xerosis. Design: Two double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials (both formulations); a double-blind, randomized regression study (Rich Formulation); and a single-blind tolerability study (Light Formulation). The two formulations were applied twice daily for two weeks, for five days in the regression study, and twice daily for two weeks in the tolerability study. Setting: Studies were conducted during winter in Hamburg, Germany. Participants: A total of 169 subjects were enrolled and 154 completed the studies. The majority were between 50 and 80 years of age, women, all with very dry skin. One withdrew because of an incompatibility reaction that reoccurred with the subject's own body lotion after sun exposure. Measurements: Skin hydration and skin barrier function with both formulations over two weeks, long-term moisturization effect after discontinuation of Rich Formulation, and symptom improvement and skin tolerability with Light Formulation. Results: Vehicle-controlled studies of Light and Rich Formulations demonstrated significantly improved hydration at Weeks 1 and 2 versus the untreated site and vehicles, and significantly reduced transepidermal water loss versus untreated site and basic vehicle. Both products significantly decreased visible dryness and tactile roughness. In the regression study, Rich Formulation maintained significant moisturization six days after treatment discontinuation. Light Formulation reduced symptoms of itching, burning, tightness, tingling, and feeling of dryness. Conclusion: These formulations represent a new approach for the treatment of xerosis by addressing multiple key deficiencies in skin hydration