Effects of VitabridC12 on Skin Inflammation

Coencapsulation of Immunosuppressive Drug with Anti-Inflammatory Molecule in Pickering Emulsions as an Innovative Therapeutic Approach for Inflammatory Dermatoses

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by epidermal and immune dysfunctions. Although efficient, current topical treatments display adverse effects, including skin atrophy and burning sensation, leading to poor patient adherence. To overcome these downsides, pickering emulsions were formulated in which the calcitriol-containing dispersed phase was stabilized with either cyclosporin A- or tacrolimus-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles. This study aimed to investigate their biological effects on lymphocytes and epidermal cells and their effectiveness in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. Results showed that both emulsions significantly inhibited nuclear factor of activated T cell translocation in T lymphocytes as well as their IL-2 production, cell activation, and proliferation. In keratinocytes, inhibition of nuclear factor of activated T cell translocation decreased the production of IL-8 and TNF-α. Topical application of emulsions over skin biopsies ex vivo showed accumulation of rhodamin B-coupled poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles throughout the epidermis by immunofluorescence and significantly decreased the antigen-presenting capacity of Langerhans cells in relation to a reduced expression of activation markers CD40, CD86, and HLA-DR. Using an imiquimod-induced psoriasis model in vivo, pickering emulsions significantly alleviated psoriasiform lesions potentially attributed to the decreased cutaneous expression of T-cell markers, proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and specific epidermal cell genes. Altogether, pickering emulsion might be a very efficient formulation for treating inflammatory dermatoses.

NXP081, DNA Aptamer-Vitamin C Complex Ameliorates DNFB-Induced Atopic Dermatitis in Balb/c Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by dry and itchy skin. Recently, it has been reported that oxidative stress is involved in skin diseases, possibly including AD. Vitamin C, also referred to as ascorbic acid, is a vital water-soluble compound that functions as an essential nutrient. It plays a significant role as both an antioxidant and an additive in various pharmaceutical and food products. Despite the fact that vitamin C is easily oxidized, we have developed NXP081, a single-stranded DNA aptamer that selectively binds to vitamin C, thereby inhibiting its oxidation. The objective of the current research was to examine the impact of NXP081, an animal model of AD induced by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). The experimental drug NXP081, when taken orally, showed promising results in reducing inflammation and improving the skin conditions caused by DNFB. The administration of NXP081 resulted in a significant reduction in ear swelling and a noticeable improvement in the appearance of skin lesions. In addition, the administration of NXP081 resulted in a significant decrease in the migration of mast cells in the skin lesions induced by DNFB. Moreover, NXP081 inhibited the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in CD4+ T cells that were activated and derived from the lymph nodes. Our findings provide useful information about the anti-inflammatory effect of NXP081 on AD.

Retinoic acid induces antimicrobial peptides and cytokines leading to Mycobacterium tuberculosis elimination in airway epithelial cells

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death by a single infectious agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Alveolar macrophages and respiratory epithelial cells are the first cells exposed to Mtb during the primary infection, once these cells are activated, secrete cytokines and antimicrobial peptides that are associated with the Mtb contention and elimination. Vitamins are micronutrients that function as boosters on the innate immune system, however, is unclear whether they have any protective activity during Mtb infection. Thus, we investigated the role of vitamin A (retinoic acid), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin D (calcitriol), and vitamin E (alfa-tocopherol) as inductors of molecules related to mycobacterial infection in macrophages and epithelial cells. Our results showed that retinoic acid promotes the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules such as Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), β-defensin-2, IL-1β, CCL20, β-defensin-3, Cathelicidin LL-37, TGF-β, and RNase 7, whereas calcitriol, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol lead to an anti-inflammatory response. Treatment of Mtb-infected epithelial cells and macrophage-like cells with the vitamins showed a differential response, where calcitriol reduced Mtb in macrophages, while retinoic acid reduced infection in epithelial cells. Thereby, we propose that a combination of calcitriol and retinoic acid supplementation can drive the immune response, and promotes the Mtb elimination by increasing the expression of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines, while simultaneously modulating inflammation.

Real-life efficiency and safety comparison study of emollient ointment based on glycerophosphoinositol (GPI) salt of choline and other emollient products in patients with atopic dermatitis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of emollient preparations in comparison with the emollient ointment containing glycerophosphoinositol salt of choline in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

METHODS

In a 'real-life' study, 300 patients with moderate AD were age-stratified and divided into two groups: patients applying GPI emollient and the comparator. We evaluated the effectiveness of AD treatment using: Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Three Item Severity (TIS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Four-Item Itch Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The GPI emollient was superior in reduction AD symptoms in children: VAS (-2.58 ± 0.25), TIS (-2.22 ± 0.22), EASI (-15.27 ± 1.77), and adults: VAS (-2.42 ± 0.19), TIS (-2.22 ± 0.17), EASI (-13.22 ± 1.53), as compared to the other emollient in children: VAS (-0.67 ± 0.19), TIS (0.47 ± 0.19), EASI (-3.71 ± 1.01) and adults: VAS (-0.86 ± 0.09), TIS (0.77 ± 0.09), EASI (-2.95 ± 0.46), p < .001. Similar results were observed in Four Item Itch Questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

Both emollients showed good safety and tolerance profile and reduced AD symptoms. The GPI emollient seems to be more slightly effective in reducing AD symptoms as compared to the other commercially available emollient.