At a glance
ClinicalIndex Comparison RecordStandardized by ClinicalIndex from the ClinicalTrials.gov record · verify against the source.
Role for Pimecrolimus in Restoring Skin Barrier Function and Normalizing Epidermal Lipid Content and Differentiation in Atopic Epidermis: a Randomized, Intra-patient, Double-blind (Right/Left Arm) Study in Adults With Atopic Dermatitis Treated With 1 % Pimecrolimus Cream and 0.1 % Betamethasone Cream as Treatment Control Twice Daily for 3 Weeks
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating cream treatment for Atopic Dermatitis. Completed, enrolled 15 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
This study seeks to investigate the role of pimecrolimus in restoring disturbed skin barrier function and reversing epidermal abnormalities found in atopic dermatitis (AD). The project is based on findings the investigators presented at the recent SID meeting in Providence and published in the J Invest Dermatol (122: 1423-31, 2004). The investigators research shows that AD is characterized by impaired skin barrier function, reduced stratum corneum hydration, impaired epidermal lipid composition and epidermal differentiation. In this proposed project, the investigators wish to examine the influence of pimecrolimus and betamethasone valerate on transepidermal water loss (TEWL) as a marker of the skin barrier function, on stratum corneum hydration, on stratum corneum lipid content and on epidermal differentiation regarding keratins and cornified envelope proteins in AD patients. The study involves biophysical measurements of TEWL and skin hydration, lipid analysis, immuno-histochemistry, Western blotting and micro array techniques. This study shall clarify whether pimecrolimus restores the epidermal barrier and whether this contributes to the beneficial effect of pimecrolimus on AD. Objectives: To explore the stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss, capacity for barrier repair and the integrity of the stratum corneum in patients treated with 1 % pimecrolimus cream when applied twice a day to atopic dermatitis of the upper limbs, and to access the substance's influences on the epidermis through histological, ultra-structural, and biochemical analysis using punch biopsies from day 1 of one arm and day 22 from both treated arms. 0.1 % betamethasone valerate cream b.i.d will be used as a control treatment.