ObjectiveAtopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by compositional and structural changes to the skin at lesional sites. Alteration to the levels and organization of both protein and lipid components are associated with disease status and lead to impaired barrier and hydration. Corneodesmosin (CDSN) and the arrangement and length of the intercellular lipid lamellae (ICLL) are altered in disrupted skin states. The aim of this research was to profile the distribution of CDSN and the ICLL in the stratum corneum (SC) at lesional and non-lesional sites in AD-prone skin and to investigate the impact of an eczema calming lotion containing petroleum jelly, fatty acids, and colloidal oatmeal.MethodsAn IRB-approved study was conducted with participants with active AD. From a small subset of participants, tape strips were collected from lesional and non-lesional sites on the arm, prior to and after twice daily application, over 4 weeks of an eczema calming lotion containing petroleum jelly, fatty acids, and colloidal oatmeal. Fluorescent antibody staining was used to investigate the distribution of CDSN. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the ICLL.ResultsThe distribution/coverage of CDSN was similar between lesional and non-lesional sites at baseline; application of the lotion resulted in a more defined honeycomb/peripheral distribution. Normalized ICLL (nICLL) was lower in baseline samples from lesional sites relative to non-lesional sites. Application of the lotion increased this parameter by the end of the study at all sites.ConclusionThe eczema calming lotion containing petroleum jelly, fatty acids and colloidal oatmeal provided changes in corneodesmosomal proteins distribution and ICLL, consistent with improvements in corneocyte maturation and improved barrier function in the skin of individuals with atopic dermatitis. ObjectifLa dermatite atopique (DA) est caract & eacute;ris & eacute;e par des modifications de la composition et de la structure de la peau au niveau des sites l & eacute;sionnels. L'alt & eacute;ration des taux et de l'organisation des composants prot & eacute;iques et lipidiques est associ & eacute;e au statut de la maladie, et entra & icirc;ne une alt & eacute;ration de la barri & egrave;re et de l'hydratation. La corn & eacute;odesmosine (CDSN), et la disposition et la longueur des lamelles lipidiques intercellulaires (LLIC) sont alt & eacute;r & eacute;es dans les & eacute;tats cutan & eacute;s perturb & eacute;s. L'objectif de cette & eacute;tude & eacute;tait d'& eacute;tablir le profil de la distribution de la CDSN et des LLIC dans la couche corn & eacute;e (CC) au niveau des sites l & eacute;sionnels et non l & eacute;sionnels dans la peau sujette & agrave; la DA, et d'& eacute;tudier l'impact d'une lotion apaisante contre l'ecz & eacute;ma contenant de la vaseline, des acides gras et de l'avoine collo & iuml;dale.M & eacute;thodesUne & eacute;tude approuv & eacute;e par un CPP a & eacute;t & eacute; men & eacute;e aupr & egrave;s de participants atteints de DA active. Dans un petit sous-ensemble de participants, des bandes adh & eacute;sives ont & eacute;t & eacute; pr & eacute;lev & eacute;es sur des sites l & eacute;sionnels et non l & eacute;sionnels du bras, avant et apr & egrave;s l'application deux fois par jour pendant 4 semaines d'une lotion apaisante contre l'ecz & eacute;ma contenant de la vaseline, des acides gras et de l'avoine collo & iuml;dale. Une coloration par anticorps fluorescents a & eacute;t & eacute; utilis & eacute;e pour & eacute;tudier la distribution de la CDSN. La microscopie & eacute;lectronique en transmission (MET) a & eacute;t & eacute; utilis & eacute;e pour caract & eacute;riser les LLIC.R & eacute;sultatsLa distribution/couverture de la CDSN & eacute;tait similaire entre les sites l & eacute;sionnels et non l & eacute;sionnels & agrave; l'entr & eacute;e dans l'& eacute;tude; l'application de la lotion a entra & icirc;n & eacute; une distribution en nid d'abeille/p & eacute;riph & eacute;rique plus d & eacute;finie. Le taux normalis & eacute; de LLIC (LLICn) & eacute;tait plus faible dans les & eacute;chantillons pr & eacute;lev & eacute;s & agrave; l'entr & eacute;e dans l'& eacute;tude au niveau des sites l & eacute;sionnels par rapport aux sites non l & eacute;sionnels. L'application de la lotion a augment & eacute; ce param & egrave;tre & agrave; la fin de l'& eacute;tude pour tous les sites.ConclusionsLa lotion apaisante contre l'ecz & eacute;ma contenant de la vaseline, des acides gras et de l'avoine collo & iuml;dale a entra & icirc;n & eacute; des changements dans la distribution des prot & eacute;ines corn & eacute;odesmosomales et des LLIC, ce qui correspond & agrave; des am & eacute;liorations de la maturation des corn & eacute;ocytes et de la fonction de barri & egrave;re de la peau des personnes atteintes de dermatite atopique. This work describes the distribution of corneodesmosomes and the status of intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum at lesional and non-lesional sites in AD-prone skin, and to investigate the impact of an eczema calming lotion containing petroleum jelly, fatty acids and colloidal oatmeal.image

Background: The composition and balance of lipids within the stratum corneum (SC) is intrinsically linked to the quality of the barrier and the hydration of the skin. The SC from lesional atopic dermatitis (AD) has reduced levels of ceramides, with an increased proportion of shorter chain length ceramides compared to non-lesional or healthy skin. Understanding the effectiveness of topical lotions in helping manage the symptoms of AD, and their role in resolving the associated underlying molecular changes, is critical to better management of the condition.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by compositional and structural changes to the skin at lesional sites. Alteration to the levels and organization of both protein and lipid components is associated with disease status and with impaired barrier and hydration. The arrangement and length of the intercellular lipid lamellae (ICLL) and the distribution of corneodesmosin (a component of corneodesmosomes) are altered in disrupted skin states.

The lipid matrix of the stratum corneum (SC) is essential to skin barrier function, and detrimental structural changes may occur in response to human behaviour, disease, and external factors. The application of topical formulations is a common approach to repairing the SC and has been investigated ex vivo and in vitro. We aim to demonstrate the first clinical evidence of deuterated palmitic acid (d31-PA) deposition from topical formulations into the SC of human skin in vivo and its conversion into longer-chain free fatty acids (FFAs) and ceramides. Healthy female participants aged 30 to 50 years old participated in two separate product application studies. Participants were randomized to an application of a leave-on lotion or a syndet bar containing d31-PA in the first study, with the second study having an option of a body wash containing different levels of d31-PA. Skin tapes and solvent extracts were collected at baseline and Day 28. Lipid composition and the presence of deuterated sphingosine were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). After four weeks, d31-PA was sufficiently delivered into the SC by all topical formulations. LC/MS/MS data show that FFAs are elongated up to C26:0 and used in the formation of ceramides and free sphingosine. These data provide the first in vivo evidence that FFAs deposited from a range of different topical formulations are elongated in the SC and provide the building blocks for ceramide synthesis. Together, the evidence shows that commercially available topical formulations can nourish the skin which may contribute to maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

Background: Lotions containing a mixture of glycerin, petroleum jelly, and fatty acids have been shown to improve skin moisturization, alleviate visual dryness, and result in a healthier skin barrier over time. A fuller understanding of the molecular level changes which occur with such improvements has been lacking, particularly in the understanding of lipids, but would provide insights to allow the development of more efficacious products.