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Biomedical subjects

E Berardesca

Publications and source records attributed to E Berardesca.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of MAS065D (XClair), a hyaluronic acid-based formulation, in the management of radiation-induced dermatitis.

This study was designed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of MAS065D (Xclair) compared to a vehicle control in the management of radiation dermatitis in patients receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer. Twenty patients were randomized blindly to use the two study substances, three times daily, on separate sections of irradiated skin throughout the duration of radiotherapy and for two weeks afterwards. Patients were monitored before therapy, weekly during therapy, and for 2 weeks after radiotherapy was completed. Skin appearance according to National Cancer Institute (NCI) toxicity criteria, erythema rating, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, patients' view of itch, pain, acceptance, and view of each cream and adverse events, were monitored; at the final visit patients and investigators expressed their preference for one of the creams. MAS065D showed statistically significant superiority in the outcomes of NCI grading for radiation dermatitis and erythema. Patients' and investigators' preferences for one of the study substances were statistically in favor of MAS065D. Very few patients recorded nonzero itch and pain scales, so no significant differences emerged between the two groups. It was concluded that MAS065D can provide an effective option for managing radiation dermatitis although further studies are needed to assess its effect on pain and itch.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Cytokine profiles during infliximab monotherapy in psoriatic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Biological therapies are a new breakthrough in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Among these, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antagonists such as infliximab and etanercept are the most promising as TNF is considered to be essential in driving cytokine cascade at sites of cutaneous and synovial inflammation in this disease. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the time-related response of serum cytokine release during infliximab monotherapy and assess serum cytokine levels in order to provide a fast, minimally invasive tool to monitor and/or predict efficacy of anti-TNF-alpha therapy. METHODS: Twenty patients affected by PsA with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score between 0.4 and 42.8 were treated with infliximab for 30-42 weeks. The assessment of arthritis severity was performed using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and ultrasonography evaluation. The treatment schedule consisted of infliximab (5 mg kg(-1) intravenously) at 0, 2 and 6 weeks and every 12 weeks on an individual basis determined by therapeutic results and adverse events reported. At baseline and before every infusion blood samples were taken to assess serum cytokine levels [TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL-6), E-selectin, vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2)]. RESULTS: Eighteen of 20 psoriatic patients achieved > 50% improvement and 14 of 20 patients attained > 75% improvement in the PASI score at 10 weeks. All arthritic patients achieved > 50% improvement (ACR-50) and 16 of 20 patients attained > 75% improvement (ACR-75) at 10 weeks. TNF-alpha did not decrease immediately during the first part of the study. A significant decrease was detected at week 12 (P < 0.01). In contrast, IL-6, VEGF, FGF and E-selectin showed significant decreases after early infliximab infusions. PASI was not correlated with TNF-alpha in the serum but was significantly correlated with FGF, VEGF and MMP-2. Treatment was well tolerated and there were no significant adverse events in most patients, other than an urticarial reaction and an autoimmune hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Monotherapy with infliximab has to be considered an efficacious and safe treatment for PsA in comparison with traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. The resolution of cutaneous and synovial symptoms is not related to TNF-alpha serum levels in the initial phases. Apoptosis may play an important role in the modulation of the inflammatory response.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp: a case report and review of the literature.

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is a rare entity characterized by pustular, erosive and crusted lesions of the scalp with progressive scarring alopecia. The aetiology is unknown, but predisposing factors have been reported such as trauma, skin grafting, prolonged exposure to UV light of a bald scalp as well as co-existence of auto-immune diseases. Laboratory data, bacteriological and mycological investigations and histopathology are generally not diagnostic. A 45-year-old Caucasian man with 1-year-old pustular, erosive and crusted lesions on his bald scalp was seen. Laboratory data, including auto-immunity, bacteriological and mycological investigations were negative. Histopathology was not diagnostic showing a diffuse polymorphous infiltrate involving the dermis. A diagnosis of EPDS was made. The patient was treated with topical and systemic antibiotics and steroids as well as oral nimesulide with no or partial response. Consequently, isotretinoin (0.75 mg/kg/day) was started obtaining complete resolution in few months. No relapse after 1 year of follow-up was seen. EPDS represents a distinct disease with a history of relapsing and unsatisfactory response to common treatments. Systemic retinoids may be considered as a potentially resolutive choice.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2004

The cosmetic treatment of wrinkles.

Wrinkles now have a greater social impact because people live longer. Science and hedonism overlap in the search for causes, treatments and prevention of wrinkles. The cosmetic approach to wrinkles includes: i Cleansing ii Photoprotection iii Active ingredients Active ingredients go well beyond simple moisturisers and exert a more complex activity in protecting skin from external injuries, nourishing it and removing its superficial layers. Transport systems and excipients are increasingly effective. Functional agents currently include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), poly-AHAs, complex poly-AHAs, retinoids, fish polysaccharides, anti-enzymatic agents, antioxidants (including ascorbic acid, pycnogenol, ursolic acid, vegetable isoflavones, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, resveratorol, l-carnosine and taurine) as well as agaricic acid and various plant extracts. All are reviewed in this text. Most are topical, some can be given by mouth, even as food supplements. Cosmetics are becoming closer to drugs in preventing and treating wrinkles. Included amongst the cosmeceuticals are the anti-wrinkle agents described herein.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Impact of anatomical location on barrier recovery, surface pH and stratum corneum hydration after acute barrier disruption.

BACKGROUND: It is not known whether distinct anatomical locations will respond with different recovery rates following acute barrier challenges. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether barrier parameters differ at five body sites during recovery from acute disruption. METHODS: Acute barrier disruption was achieved by tape stripping and by acetone extraction of stratum corneum lipids. Transepidermal water loss (to assess barrier function), capacitance (for stratum corneum hydration) and skin surface pH were measured at each of five different body sites in 14 human volunteers. Individual measurements were obtained every 24 h for 96 h. RESULTS: Lipid-rich skin areas (e.g. the forehead) were the most vulnerable to barrier disruption by either method. While acetone treatment affected barrier function and decreased stratum corneum hydration, tape stripping similarly altered barrier function but increased capacitance values. Although the effect of barrier disruption on surface pH appeared to vary with location, no significant pattern of variation emerged. Independent of the method used for barrier disruption, the pH normalized within 96 h. CONCLUSIONS: Skin at different body sites shows distinct patterns of barrier recovery that are likely to be related to structural and physiological differences. Therefore, 'anatomically specific' regimens appear possible and relevant for the treatment of cutaneous disorders. In addition, adequate statistical analyses are essential to detect real differences in barrier recovery parameters.

Acetone↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of efficacy of a skin lipid mixture in patients with irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis: a multicenter study.

Disturbances of skin barrier function occur in several skin diseases, e.g., atopic dermatitis (AD), irritant/allergic contact dermatitis (ICD, ACD). Skin barrier damage triggers the production of cytokines that stimulate lipogenesis which may also cause inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a topical skin lipid mixture in the treatment of ICD, ACD and AD. 580 consecutive patients suffering from ICD, ACD or AD were treated with a skin lipid mixture containing ceramide-3 and patented nanoparticles. Patients received the lipid mixture alone or in combination with topical corticosteroids until clearance or for 8 weeks. Both treatment groups statistically improved all parameters considered at week 4 and 8 as compared to baseline. Between the 2 treatment groups, there was a statistically significant difference in favour of combined therapy for (ICD, ACD, AD, respectively): erythema, pruritus and overall disease severity; erythema and pruritus; erythema, pruritus, fissuring and overall disease severity. No statistically significant difference was found for (ICD, ACD, AD, respectively): dryness, scaling and fissuring; scaling, fissuring and overall disease severity; dryness and scaling. Between the 2 ACD treatment groups, there was a statistically significant difference in favour of the skin lipid mixture for dryness. In conclusion, the study shows that balanced lipid mixtures are effective in improving barrier properties and the clinical condition of the skin in contact dermatitis.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2001

Testing for irritation with a multifactorial approach: comparison of eight non-invasive measuring techniques on five different irritation types.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive bioengineering methods are widely used in the assessment of irritant skin reactions. OBJECTIVES: To assess the ability of eight non-invasive measurement techniques to distinguish changes in skin conditions over time, these changes being induced by five different irritants. METHODS: The following techniques were compared in a multivariate analysis: laser-Doppler perfusion imaging (LDI), laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), visual scoring (VS), colorimetric measurements (Chromameter CR 200 a* and L* scales), Mexameter Hb scale (Mexa Hb) and capacitance (Corneometer CM 820). Irritants tested were sodium lauryl sulphate 2% (SLS), tape stripping (TS), tretinoin 0.05% (TRET), ultraviolet (UV) exposure to 30 W m(-2) UVB/95 W m(-2) UVA, and dithranol 0.5% (DIT). Measurements were performed at baseline and after 24, 48 and 72 h. The study was conducted on the upper back of 11 healthy volunteers of both sexes aged 27-51 years. RESULTS: For DIT it was possible to discriminate over time with CR 200 a* and L*, VS, LDI, LDF and Mexa Hb. In SLS discrimination over time was seen with TEWL and LDF. Discrimination in TS was demonstrated for TEWL, VS, CR 200 a*, CM 820, LDF, LDI and Mexa Hb. In TRET discrimination ability was seen for LDI, LDF, Mexa Hb and VS. For UV it was possible to discriminate using VS, TEWL, LDF, LDI and Mexa Hb. CONCLUSIONS: Different irritation patterns need different measurement modalities in order to give optimal discrimination over time.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Differences in corneocyte surface area in pre- and post-menopausal women. Assessment with the noninvasive videomicroscopic imaging of corneocytes method (VIC) under basal conditions.

The differences between pre- and postmenopausal women and men on corneocyte surface area were investigated by a noninvasive exfoliation method. Surface corneocytes were collected with a modified detergent scrub technique. Separated corneocytes were analyzed by videomicroscopy and image analyses (NIH Image 1.59). Additionally transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration, water-holding capacity and moisture accumulation velocity were measured. 21 postmenopausal females without hormonal substitution (age 50.6 years), 33 premenopausal women (age 41.0 years) and 25 men matched for age (age 44.0 years) were included in this study. The smallest corneocyte surface area was seen in premenopausal women (368.0 pixels). For postmenopausal women and the male control population almost equal values could be detected (postmenopausal women 401.1 pixels; men 401.8 pixels). Significant differences were calculated with the ANOVA test (p = 0.0050) and post-hoc analyses (Dunn test); premenopausal vs. postmenopausal women (p < 0.05) and premenopausal women vs. men (p < 0.05), but not postmenopausal women vs. men (p > 0.05). No statistically significant differences could be detected for TEWL, stratum corneum hydration parameters. No correlation could be found between the corneocyte surface area and barrier or hydration parameters. The detected differences support the hypothesis that sexual hormones have an impact on corneocyte surface area, because sex hormone levels are higher in premenopausal women than in non-hormone-substituted postmenopausal women or men.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The impact of COLIPA guidelines for assessment of skin compatibility on the development of cosmetic products.

After the VI Amendment to the Cosmetic Directive (93/35/EEC), the COLIPA, the European Cosmetic Toiletries and Perfumery Association, published the 'Cosmetic Product Test Guidelines for the Assessment of Human Skin Compatibility'. The document represents a reference for the European cosmetic industry. The global nature of the VI Amendment outlines a new way of evaluating the safety of cosmetic products. It includes a marketing ban for cosmetic products that have been tested on animals and consequently implies a potential ban on the use of animals in evaluating the safety of cosmetic products. The value of the COLIPA guidelines resides in the need to set up a product information package, referred to as the dossier. The guidelines also stress the need for the protection of consumer health. These new requirements have significantly influenced the approach to product development. At the same time, scientific progress demands a more complex definition of skin compatibility.

Cosmetics↗
PubMed1999

Glycerol accelerates recovery of barrier function in vivo.

Two studies were performed to evaluate the influence of glycerol on the recovery of damaged stratum corneum barrier function. Measurements of transepidermal water loss and capacitance were conducted in a 3-day follow-up after tape stripping (study 1) and a 7-day follow-up after a barrier damage due to a repeated washing with sodium lauryl sulphate. In study 1 a faster barrier repair (transepidermal water loss) was monitored in glycerol-treated sites. Significant differences between glycerol open vs. untreated and glycerol occluded vs. untreated were observed at day 3. Stratum corneum hydration showed significantly higher values in the sites treated with glycerol+occlusion, compared with all other sites. In study 2 a faster barrier repair was seen in glycerol-treated sites, with significant differences against untreated and base-treated sites 7 days after the end of the treatment. Stratum corneum hydration showed highest values in the glycerol treated sites after 3 days of treatment. Glycerol creates a stimulus for barrier repair and improves the stratum corneum hydration; stratum corneum hydration is not strictly related to barrier homeostasis and can be optimized by different mechanisms and pathways. The observed effects were based on the modulation of barrier repair and were not biased by the humectant effect of glycerol. As the glycerol-induced recovery of barrier function and stratum corneum hydration were observed even 7 days after the end of treatment, glycerol can be regarded as a barrier stabilizing and moisturizing compound.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1998

Differences in stratum corneum pH gradient when comparing white Caucasian and black African-American skin.

This study assessed pH gradient changes in relation to stratum corneum (SC) depth and possible differences between white caucasian and black African-American skin. Ten white and eight black people entered the study. SC was progressively removed by cellophane tape stripping on the volar forearm and weighed with a microbalance. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and SC pH were measured every three tape strippings. Significantly increased TEWL and decreased pH values were found with increasing SC depth in both races. Significantly increased TEWL in black people was found after three and six tape strippings (P < 0.05 and 0.03, respectively); pH was significantly decreased in black people after three tape strippings (P < 0.005). No differences were found between the races after nine, 12 and 15 strippings, i.e. in the deeper SC layers. The data confirm that pH in the superficial SC layers decreases with SC depth; only total SC removal results in increased pH values. In the superficial layers, there are significant differences in both water evaporation and skin pH, possibly explaining the contradictory literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Is seborrhea a sign of autonomic impairment in Parkinson's disease?

An increase of sebum excretion rate (SER) is frequently observed in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD). Some authors attribute it to the hyperactivity of the parasympathetic system, while others consider the possible action of androgens or of MSH-hormone. The aim of our study was to verify and quantify SER in 70 parkinsonian patients and compare it with SER in 60 normal subjects. We found higher values of SER in male subjects, both in normal and in parkinsonian patients. The highest rate of excretion was observed in parkinsonian males, in agreement with the possible main role of androgens or testosterone in sebum excretion, while the phenomenon did not appear to be related to abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system. The association of PD and sex hormones might therefore be crucial for the developing of seborrhea.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Guidelines on sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) exposure tests. A report from the Standardization Group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis.

This report reviews the clinical and histopathological reactions caused by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and the non-invasive methods that can characterize these reactions. Furthermore, SLS exposure techniques and factors that may influence the outcome of these exposures are discussed. Finally, guidelines are introduced for each exposure technique in order to have a uniform approach to SLS testing in man. Since different study aims warrant different testing conditions, we have proposed 2 categories, namely susceptibility testing and provocative testing, tailored to the aim with which the study is performed.

Dermatitis, Contact↗
PubMed1997

Alpha hydroxyacids modulate stratum corneum barrier function.

Alpha hydroxyacids (AHAs) are used to enhance stratum corneum desquamation and improve skin appearance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether some AHAs improve skin barrier function and prevent skin irritation. Eleven healthy subjects (aged 28 +/- 6 years, mean +/- SD) entered the study. Six test sites of 8 x 5 cm (four different AHAs, vehicle only (VE) and untreated control (UNT) were selected and randomly rotated on the volar arm and forearm. The four different AHAs at 8% concentration in base cream were glycolic acid (GA), lactic acid, tartaric acid (TA) and gluconolactone (GLU). The products were applied twice a day for 4 weeks (2 mg/cm2). At week 4, a 5% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) challenge patch test was performed under occlusion for 6 h (HillTop chamber, 18 mm wide) on each site. Barrier function and skin irritation were evaluated by means of evaporimetry (Servomed EP-1) and chromametry (a* value, Minolta CR200) weekly, and at 0, 24 and 48 h after SLS patch removal. No significant differences in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and erythema were observed between the four AHAs at week 4. After SLS challenge, GLU- and TA-treated sites resulted in significantly lower TEWL compared with VE, UNT (P < 0.01) and GA (P < 0.05) both at 24 and 48 h. Similarly, a* values were significantly reduced after irritation in GLU- and TA-treated sites. This study shows that AHAs can modulate stratum corneum barrier function and prevent skin irritation; the effect is not equal for all AHAs, being more marked for the molecules characterized by antioxidant properties.

Adult↗