The Journal of dermatology最新文献

Background: Spironolactone (SPL) is an effective treatment for women acne, but other effects on skin biophysical properties remain to be investigated.

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to explore the effects of oral SPL used to treat women acne on skin biophysical properties, including hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin surface lipid (SSL) levels, mechanical properties, color, pH, and pore size.

Materials and methods: Twenty-five Thai women with acne treated with oral SPL were followed for 6 months. Skin hydration, TEWL, SSL levels, mechanical properties, color, pH, and pore size of the forehead, chest, and inner arm were evaluated at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment with oral SPL. Facial and upper back pore size were also assessed. Clinical outcomes were changes in these skin biophysical properties at each visit compared with baseline.

Results: Skin hydration, TEWL, SSL levels, color, pH, and pore size remained stable throughout the study. Facial skin parameters at 6 months demonstrated the following changes: hydration levels, 7.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], -59.74 to 74.94); TEWL, -2.36 (95% CI, -5.77 to 1.06); L* value, 0.51 (95% CI, -0.70 to 1.72); individual typology angle, 1.65 (95% CI -2.27 to 5.57); pH, 0.01 (95% CI -0.43 to 0.46); pore size, -0.24 (95% CI, -1.21 to 0.73); and SSL levels, 7.60 (95% CI -59.74 to 74.94). Improvement of facial mechanical properties was observed. R0 (indicating skin tightness) and R1 (indicating elasticity) showed significant decreases (-0.076 [95% CI, -0.141 to -0.010] and -0.016 [95% CI, -0.033 to -0.001]). R3 and R4 (representing tiring effects) were also improved (-0.091 [95% CI, -0.158 to -0.025] and -0.022 [95% CI, -0.044 to -0.001]). Parameters in the truncal and inner arm areas remained stable, except for skin elasticity and tiring effects, which exhibited a similar trend of improvement as the facial area. The changes were notable as early as 4 months.

Conclusion: Oral SPL used for acne did not impair the skin barrier. Moreover, the skin mechanical properties were improved at 4 to 6 months.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) commonly reside on human skin in residents in long-term care facilities, yet its colonization and impact on the skin of hemodialysis (HD) patients have yet to be studied. The aim of the present study was to investigate the colonization of S. aureus on the skin of pruritic and non-pruritic HD patients, and the influence of S. aureus and S. aureus-secreted α-toxin on skin barrier function-related protein expression. In this study, a higher relative S. aureus count in pruritic HD patients compared to non-pruritic HD patients and healthy subjects were revealed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. S. aureus and α-toxin decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), ovo-like transcriptional repressor 1 (OVOL1), and filaggrin (FLG) in keratinocytes. In addition, anti-alpha-hemolysin (anti-hla) was used as an α-toxin neutralizer, and it successfully abrogated S. aureus-induced AHR, OVOL1, and FLG mRNA and protein expression downregulation. Mechanistically, α-toxin could decrease FLG activity by preventing the recruitment of AHR to the FLG promoter region. In conclusion, pruritic HD patients had higher S. aureus colonization, with S. aureus-secreted α-toxin suppressing FLG expression through the AHR-FLG axis.

Onychomycosis, an infectious disease affecting the nails, can spread within oneself and to others, potentially leading to functional disabilities, therefore achieving a complete cure is necessary. Additionally, shared decision making (SDM) has been gaining attention in the treatment of various diseases in recent years. This study aimed to uncover the realities of patient-physician communication and perception in onychomycosis treatment, particularly in setting treatment goals and the SDM process for selecting therapeutic agents. We conducted a web-based survey of both patients and dermatologists to identify issues in the decision-making process for onychomycosis treatment. The survey revealed several communication challenges between patients and dermatologists regarding onychomycosis treatment. First, a notable percentage of dermatologists do not prioritize a complete cure for onychomycosis in their treatment goals. Second, the dermatologists' treatment explanations tended to emphasize risks, information necessary for appropriate decision-making was not adequately conveyed to patients, and SDM practice was insufficient (the mean scores of SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc were 49.0 and 70.9, respectively). Third, dermatologists overestimated the reluctance of older patients to take oral medications. Dermatologists should recognize their patients' expectations for a complete cure for onychomycosis and choose a therapeutic agent that meets patients' needs. Furthermore, dermatologists should explain the benefits and risks of treatment options in a balanced manner, strive for improved patient-physician communication, and aim for a complete cure by administering suitable treatment.