Daily intake of Jeju groundwater improves the skin condition of the model mouse for human atopic dermatitis

Water Is an Active Element: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Cutaneous Lipidomics in Consumers Drinking Two Different Bicarbonate-Calcic Waters (Medium-Mineral vs. Oligo-Mineral)

Despite the well-known cutaneous beneficial effect of thermal water on the skin, no data exist regarding the potential biological effect of orally consumed water on healthy skin. Thus, in this single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial conducted on age and menstrual cycle timing-matched healthy female volunteers (24 + 24) consuming water A (oligo-mineral) or water B (medium-mineral) for 1 month (T1), the cutaneous lipidomics were compared. Interestingly, only water A consumers had a statistically significant (p < 0.001) change in cutaneous lipidomics, with 66 lipids different (8 decreased and 58 increased). The cutaneous lipidomics of consumers of water A vs. water B were statistically different (p < 0.05). Twenty cutaneous lipids were necessary to predict the water type previously consumed (AUC ~70). Our study suggests that drinking oligo-mineral water may change skin biology and may influence the cutaneous barrier, so future dermatological clinical trials should also account for the water type consumed to avoid potential confounders.

Jeju ground water containing vanadium induces normal T cell development and immune activation in chronically stressed mice

Containing high concentration of vanadium served by the volcanic bedrock, Jeju ground water has long been known for various implicit health benefits including immune-promotion. Exposure to stress has been reported to be associated with immunosuppression such as reducing lymphocyte population or antibody production due to stress hormones. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the effects of Jeju ground water on chronically stressed mice. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to various stressors such as restraint stress, water swimming stress, heat stress, acoustic stress, and Jeju ground water was supplied for 28 days with two different concentrations, S1 (vanadium 15-20 μg/l, pH 8.3) and S2 (vanadium 20-25 μg/l, pH 8.5). Treatment with Jeju ground water increased CD4⁺CD8^- or CD4^-CD8⁺ single-positive thymocytes. It also increased the proliferation of splenocytes and the populations of CD4⁺ T cells, CD45R/B220⁺ B cells, CD11b⁺ macrophages or Gr-1⁺ granulocytes in spleen. In addition, the production of IgG was increased in chronically stressed mice by treatment with Jeju ground water. These results suggest vanadium-rich Jeju ground water may be helpful in T cell development in thymus and immune cell proliferation and its function in spleen against chronic stress.

Inhibitory effects of Solanum tuberosum L. var. vitelotte extract on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in mice

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the inhibitory efficacy of Solanum tuberosum L. var. Vitelotte (SV) extract on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions induced by the topical application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene in NC/Nga mice.

METHODS

SV extract was administered orally to NC/Nga mice at the dose of 75, 150 or 300 mg/kg for 4 weeks. The effectiveness of SV extract in NC/Nga mice was evaluated by measuring symptom severity, ear thickness, scratching behaviour, serum levels of IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a, T helper 1 (Th1; interferon-γ and IL-12) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) in spleen, messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells in tissue.

KEY FINDINGS

Oral administration of SV extract to NC/Nga mice resulted in the inhibition of the development of AD-like skin lesions. SV extract was attenuated AD-like skin lesion, ear thickening and scratching behaviour. SV extract also alleviated infiltrated inflammatory cells in tissue. Production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines was inhibited in splenocyte cultures. Additionally, reduced levels of IgE and IgG1/IgG2a ratio in serum and expression of AD-related mRNAs in lesional skins were observed in SV-treated mice compared with control group.

CONCLUSIONS

SV extract alleviated the exacerbation of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by suppressing total serum level of IgE and correcting the Th1/Th2 balance.

Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions induced by 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene in mouse

BACKGROUND

Th2 cells are overexpressed in the skin and serum of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. Previously, we found that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) decreased eosinophil infiltration in asthmatic mice through the suppression of Th2-associated cytokines. Therefore, we hypothesized that DHEA might improve the symptoms of AD syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we evaluated the symptom improvement and anti-inflammatory response that result from the modulation of immunity by DHEA modulated in AD-like mice.

METHODS

Female BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. On days 14-29 after sensitization, mice were treated with cutaneous (skin smear) or oral administration of DHEA. In addition, human keratinocyte (HaCat) cells were used to evaluate the effect of DHEA on the in vitro production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.

RESULTS

Both cutaneous and oral DHEA were able to decrease ear swelling and skin inflammation in AD-like mice. DHEA also attenuated eosinophil and mast cell infiltration into ear and skin tissue. Additionally, Th2-associated cytokines were inhibited in splenocyte culture, and suppressed the levels of IgE and interleukin 4 in serum. Oral and cutaneous administration of DHEA reduced the inflammatory response, as evidenced by AD-like skin lesions, in a similar manner. DHEA significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines and chemokines through the nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases pathways in tumor necrosis factor-α activated HaCat cells.

CONCLUSION

DHEA ameliorates AD-like mouse skin inflammation and reduces eosinophil and mast cell infiltration by reducing the production of Th2-associated cytokines and chemokines.