BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Prior studies have demonstrated that both the skin surface pH and epidermal permeability barrier function vary with skin pigmentation types. Although melanin deficiency is the main feature of vitiligo, alterations in cutaneous biophysical properties in vitiligo have not yet been well defined. In the present study, stratum corneum (SC) hydration, the skin surface pH and epidermal permeability barrier function in vitiligo were evaluated. METHODS: A total of 30 volunteers with vitiligo comprising 19 males and 11 females aged 13-51 years (mean age: 27.91 +/- 2.06 years) were enrolled in this study. The skin surface pH, SC hydration, melanin/erythema index and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured by respective probes connected to a Courage-Khazaka MPA5. SC integrity was determined by measuring the TEWL following each D-Squame application. The barrier recovery rate was assessed at 5 h following barrier disruption by repeated tape stripping. RESULTS: In addition to SC hydration, both melanin and erythema index were significantly lower in vitiligo lesions than in contralateral, nonlesional sites, while no difference in skin surface pH between vitiligo-involved and uninvolved areas was observed. In addition, neither the basal TEWL nor SC integrity in the involved areas differed significantly from that in the uninvolved areas. However, barrier recovery in vitiligo-involved sites was significantly delayed in comparison with uninvolved sites (40.83 +/- 5.39% vs. 58.30 +/- 4.71%; t = 2.441; p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: Barrier recovery following tape stripping of the SC is delayed in vitiligo. Therefore, improvement in epidermal permeability barrier function may be an important unrecognized factor to be considered in treating patients with vitiligo.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Prior studies have demonstrated that both the skin surface pH and epidermal permeability barrier function vary with skin pigmentation types. Although melanin deficiency is the main feature of vitiligo, alterations in cutaneous biophysical properties in vitiligo have not yet been well defined. In the present study, stratum corneum (SC) hydration, the skin surface pH and epidermal permeability barrier function in vitiligo were evaluated. METHODS: A total of 30 volunteers with vitiligo comprising 19 males and 11 females aged 13-51 years (mean age: 27.91 +/- 2.06 years) were enrolled in this study. The skin surface pH, SC hydration, melanin/erythema index and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured by respective probes connected to a Courage-Khazaka MPA5. SC integrity was determined by measuring the TEWL following each D-Squame application. The barrier recovery rate was assessed at 5 h following barrier disruption by repeated tape stripping. RESULTS: In addition to SC hydration, both melanin and erythema index were significantly lower in vitiligo lesions than in contralateral, nonlesional sites, while no difference in skin surface pH between vitiligo-involved and uninvolved areas was observed. In addition, neither the basal TEWL nor SC integrity in the involved areas differed significantly from that in the uninvolved areas. However, barrier recovery in vitiligo-involved sites was significantly delayed in comparison with uninvolved sites (40.83 +/- 5.39% vs. 58.30 +/- 4.71%; t = 2.441; p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: Barrier recovery following tape stripping of the SC is delayed in vitiligo. Therefore, improvement in epidermal permeability barrier function may be an important unrecognized factor to be considered in treating patients with vitiligo.
Authors: Roshan Gunathilake; Nanna Y Schurer; Brenda A Shoo; Anna Celli; Jean-Pierre Hachem; Debra Crumrine; Ganga Sirimanna; Kenneth R Feingold; Theodora M Mauro; Peter M Elias Journal: J Invest Dermatol Date: 2009-01-29 Impact factor: 8.551
Authors: Peter M Elias; Jack Arbiser; Barbara E Brown; Heidemarie Rossiter; Mao-Qiang Man; Francesca Cerimele; Debra Crumrine; Roshan Gunathilake; Eung Ho Choi; Yoshikazu Uchida; Erwin Tschachler; Kenneth R Feingold Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2008-08-07 Impact factor: 4.307
Authors: Andrzej T Slominski; Michal A Zmijewski; Blazej Zbytek; Desmond J Tobin; Theoharis C Theoharides; Jean Rivier Journal: Endocr Rev Date: 2013-08-12 Impact factor: 19.871
Authors: Mao-Qiang Man; Tzu-Kai Lin; Juan L Santiago; Anna Celli; Lily Zhong; Zhi-Ming Huang; Truus Roelandt; Melanie Hupe; John P Sundberg; Kathleen A Silva; Debra Crumrine; Gemma Martin-Ezquerra; Carles Trullas; Richard Sun; Joan S Wakefield; Maria L Wei; Kenneth R Feingold; Theodora M Mauro; Peter M Elias Journal: J Invest Dermatol Date: 2014-04-14 Impact factor: 8.551