Effects of petrolatum, a petrolatum depositing body wash and a regular body wash on biomarkers and biophysical properties of the stratum corneum.

BACKGROUND: An important trend in the personal care industry involves the development of body wash products that not only clean the skin without damage but deposit conditioning ingredients to improve skin barrier function. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop skin biomarker measures to quantify the treatment effects of body wash products. METHODS: We employed analysis of structural proteins (keratin 1,10,11 and involucrin), a natural moisturizing factor (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) and an inflammatory mediator (IL-1ra/IL-1α) from adhesive discs with dry skin grading, TEWL and capacitance measurements to compare the effects of direct application of petrolatum, a high petrolatum depositing body wash, and a regular body wash on dry leg skin in a standard leg-wash treatment protocol. RESULTS: High depositing body wash and petrolatum had positive effects on stratum corneum barrier function as judged by biomarker analysis, biophysical measurements and skin grading compared to the regular body wash product. CONCLUSIONS: The results clearly indicate that a combination of biomarker and biophysical property measurements is effective for determining the skin benefits of moisturizing body wash products.

CONTEXTE: Une tendance importante dans l'industrie des soins personnels inclut le développement de produits de lavage corporel qui non seulement nettoient la peau sans l'endommager, mais déposent des ingrédients de traitement pour améliorer la fonction de la barrière cutanée. OBJECTIF: L'objectif de cette étude était de développer des mesures de biomarqueurs cutanés permettant de quantifier les effets du traitement des produits de lavage corporel. MÉTHODES: Nous avons utilisé l'analyse de protéines structurelles (kératine 1,10,11 et involucrine), un facteur hydratant naturel (acide carboxylique de pyrrolidone) et un médiateur inflammatoire (IL-1ra/IL-1a) provenant de disques adhésifs avec cotation de la sécheresse cutanée, mesures de perte d'eau transépidermique (transepidermal water loss, TEWL) et de capacitance pour comparer les effets de l'application directe de vaseline, d'un produit de lavage corporel avec dépôt élevé de vaseline et d'un produit de lavage corporel ordinaire sur la peau sèche des jambes, dans un protocole de traitement de lavage des jambes standard. RÉSULTATS: Le produit de lavage corporel à dépôt élevé et la vaseline avaient des effets positifs sur la fonction de barrière de la couche cornée, comme évalué par l'analyse des biomarqueurs, les mesures biophysiques et la cotation de la peau, comparé au produit de lavage corporel ordinaire. CONCLUSIONS: Les résultats indiquent clairement qu'une combinaison de mesures des biomarqueurs et des propriétés biophysiques est efficace pour déterminer les bienfaits pour la peau des produits de lavage corporel hydratants.

A comparative clinical study of different hair removal procedures and their impact on axillary odor reduction in men.

BACKGROUND: Axillary hair can influence the development of underarm odor in men. OBJECTIVE: To compare different hair removal procedures and their impact on the effectiveness of standard soap washing (SW) in reducing male axillary odor. METHODS: The axillae of healthy Caucasian males (N = 30; 18-48 years of age) were randomized in a non-crossover, split body design. Two of four axillary treatments were evaluated per subject: clipped with scissors; wet shaved with a razor; waxed; and untreated. Odor evaluations were performed by trained assessors according to the American Society for Testing and Materials organization at baseline (24 h postcontrol SW), immediately, 12 and 24 h following treatment plus SW (Day 1). Further evaluations were conducted immediately and 24 h following SW on Day 2 and Day 3. Mean odor scores were calculated and an analysis of covariance conducted using baseline data as covariate. RESULTS: On Day 1, hair removal by clipping with scissors followed by SW offered no significant improvement in immediate odor control (27.2% reduction from baseline) when compared with SW alone. Both shaving and waxing followed by SW resulted in an immediate, significant reduction in axillary odor compared with SW alone (57.3% and 75.3% reduction, respectively; P < 0.0001). This improvement persisted for 24 h after shaving (P = 0.0682). Further, a single shaving treatment significantly improved the immediate effectiveness of SW on Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 compared with SW alone (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Blade shaving of the axillae can optimize the cleansing and odor reducing effectiveness of daily hygiene measures for men without the discomfort associated with waxing.

Effects of season stratum corneum barrier function and skin biomarkers.

The skin on the lower legs of 25 female subjects was evaluated first in the winter, and then again in the summer of the same subjects. Barrier function was determined by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin hydration and dryness were evaluated by electrical measurements (Corneometer ® CM825) and visual grading. Stratum corneum (SC) was sampled using 10 sequential D-Squame sampling discs and analyzed for 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid (PCA), keratin-1,10,11, interleukin 1α (IL-1α), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), selected ceramides, cholesterol, cholesterol sulfate, and selected free fatty acids. TEWL as well as the visual dryness grades were significantly lower in the summer while hydration was higher. PCA was significantly higher in the summer as were the keratins. The ratio IL-1ra:IL-1α, an indicator of skin inflammation, was significantly lower in the summer. The amount of protein removed by the tape strips was also significantly lower in summer indicating better SC cohesion. Among the SC lipids measured, total ceramides, individual ceramides, total fatty acids, and cholesterol were higher in summer compared to winter. Stearic acid and cholesterol sulfate were not significantly different between winter and summer.

Transcriptional profiling of epidermal barrier formation in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Barrier function is integral to the health of epithelial tissues. Currently, there is a broad need to develop and improve our knowledge with regard to barrier function for reversal of mild skin irritation and dryness. However, there are few in vitro models that incorporate modulations of both lipids and epidermal differentiation programs for pre-clinical testing to aid in the understanding of barrier health. OBJECTIVE: We have generated a reconstituted epidermis on a decellularized dermis (DED) and characterized its barrier properties relative to human epidermis in order to determine its utility for modeling barrier formation and repair. METHODS: We followed the process of epidermal differentiation and barrier formation through immunocytochemistry and transcriptional profiling. We examined barrier functionality through measurements of surface pH, lipid composition, stratum corneum water content, and the ability to demonstrate topical dose-dependent exclusion of surfactant. RESULTS: Transcriptional profiling of the epidermal model during its formation reveals temporal patterns of gene expression associated with processes regulating barrier function. The profiling is supported by gradual formation and maturation of a stratum corneum and expression of appropriate markers of epidermis development. The model displays a functional barrier and a water gradient between the stratum corneum and viable layers, as determined by confocal Raman spectroscopy. The stratum corneum layer displays a normal acidic pH and an appropriate composition of barrier lipids. CONCLUSION: The epidermal model demonstrates its utility as an investigative tool for barrier health and provides a window into the transcriptional regulation of multiple aspects of barrier formation.

Visceral analgesic effect of 5-HT(4) receptor agonist in rats involves the rostroventral medulla (RVM).

The 5-HT(4) receptor agonist tegaserod (TEG) has been reported to modulate visceral pain. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to examine the analgesic mechanism and site of action of TEG. In male rats, visceral pain was assessed by measuring visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distension (CRD). Inflammation was induced by intracolonic injection of tri-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The effect of TEG on the VMR was tested by injecting intraperitoneal (i.p.), intrathecal (i.t.), intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) or in the rostroventral medulla (RVM). The effect of the drug was also tested on responses of CRD-sensitive pelvic nerve afferents (PNA) and lumbo-sacral (LS) spinal neurons. Systemic injection of TEG attenuated VMR in naive and TNBS-treated rats. Similarly, supraspinal, but not spinal, injection of TEG attenuated the VMR. While GR113808, (selective 5-HT(4) antagonist) blocked the effect, naloxone (NLX) an opioid receptor antagonist reversed the effect of TEG. Although i.t. NLX did not block the inhibitory effect of TEG in VMR study, i.t. injection of α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine blocked the effect of TEG when given systemically. While TEG had no effect on the responses of CRD-sensitive PNA, it inhibited the responses of CRD-sensitive LS neurons in spinal intact condition. This inhibition was blocked by GR113808, NLX and ß-funaltrexamine (ß-FNA) when injected into the RVM. Results indicate that TEG produces analgesia via activation of supraspinal 5-HT(4) receptors which triggers the release of opioids at supraspinal site, which activates descending noradrenergic pathways to the spinal cord to produce analgesia.

The Y2 receptor mediates increases in collateral-dependent blood flow in a model of peripheral arterial insufficiency.

We have utilized a rat model of peripheral artery disease (PAD) to examine whether the known angiogenic activity of the Y(2) receptor would translate into a meaningful increase in collateral blood flow. The maximal increase in collateral blood flow capacity of approximately 60% (p<0.001) was obtained with a 10microg/kgday (IA infusion, 14 days) of either PYY or PYY(3-36) and did not differ from that obtained with a maximally angiogenic dose of VEGF(165). Pharmacodynamic modeling based upon single dose pharmacokinetic plasma profiles of both agonists suggests that E(max) is reached when the Y(2) receptor is occupied by >or=50%. Furthermore, for PYY(3-36), occupancy of the Y(2) receptor is sufficient to promote a significant benefit in collateral blood flow.

Fluxo coronário desregulado durante reperfusäo pós cardioplegia / Coronary flow response is impaired during post-cardioplegia

Estudaram-se a demanda metabólica e a distribuiçäo do fluxo coronariano na presneça de fibrilaçäo ventricular (FV), durante a reperfusäo pós-cardioplegia. Foram colocados 15 suínos em circulaçäo extracorpórea e submetidos a parada cardíaca cardioplégica sangüínea anterógrada hipotérmica intermitente, durante uma hora, seguida por reperfusäo miocárdica controlada. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos (n=5), conforme estivessem em assistolia (Grupo 1) ou em FV de curta (grupo 2) ou longa duraçäo (Grupo 3), durante os dez primeiros minutos de reperfusäo. Os valores do consumo miocárdico de oxigênio (MVO2), em ml O2/min/g (média + erro padräo) durante a reperfusäo foram de 1,325 + 0,144 (grupo 1); 2,472 + 0,208 (Grupo 2) e 2,469 + 0,228 (Grupo 3). A diferença entre o MVO2 dos coraçöes em assistolia e o dos coraçöes em FV, quer de curta ou longa duraçäo, foi significante (p<0,001). A relaçäo entre os fluxos sangüíneos endo e epicárdico, bem como o fluxo sangüíneo coronário global (ml/mim/100g) foram semelhantes nos 3 grupos. Os valores dessa última variável, em ml/mim/100g, corresponderam a, respectivamente, 169,3 + 11,7; 185,0 + 15,7 e 179,9 + 13,2. Os resultados demonstram que a auto-regulaçäo coronária está alterada durante a fase inicial de reperfusäo pós criocardioplegia, pois a perfusäo miocárdica näo aumentou em resposta à elevaçäo do consumo de oxigênio imposta pela FV. Essa constataçäo, de grande interesse clínico, sugere que a ocorrência de FV durante a fase inicial da reperfusäo possa contribuir para o desenvolvimento de lesöes teciduais em coraçöes cujo fluxo coronário já esteja previamente comprometido, por obstruçäo coronária, distensäo ou hipertrofia ventricular.

Emprego de uma nova emulsäo de perfluorocarbonos (Oxygent MR) em circulaçäo extracorpórea: estudo experimental em cäes / Use of a new fluorocarbon emulsion (Oxygent MR) in extracorporeal circulation: experimental study in dogs

Testou-se uma nova emulsao de perfluorocarbonos (OxygentMR, Alliance Pharmaceutical, San Diego, CA 92121, EUA) em circulaçao extracorpórea (CEC) com hipotermia de 32 graus Celsius e hematócrito de 12 por cento. Estudaram-se 42 caes, 12 dos quais nao receberam a droga e serviram de controle (Grupo 1), enquanto os demais constituíram 3 grupos de lO animais cada, tratados com doses de Oxygent de 1,5 ml/kg (Grupo 2), 3 ml/kg (Grupo 3) e 6 ml/kg (Grupo 4) as quais geraram fluorocritos de, respectivamente, 1 por cento, 2 por cento e 3 por cento. Foram analisadas variáveis do metabolismo do oxigênio (O2) em 6 diferentes fluxos de perfusao (Q), ordenados ao acaso. Reaqueceram-se os caes, interrompeu-se a CEC e acompanharam-se os animais por l hora. Diferenças intergrupos foram analisadas pelo teste das médias dos quadrados mínimos e pelo teste de Duncan, considerando-se significantes os valores de p