Different effects of pimecrolimus and betamethasone on the skin barrier in patients with atopic dermatitis.

摘要: Background Genetic defects leading to skin barrier dysfunction were recognized as risk factors for atopic dermatitis (AD). It is essential that drugs applied patients with AD restore the impaired epidermal prevent sensitization by environmental allergens. Objectives We investigated effect of 2 common treatments, a calcineurin inhibitor and corticosteroid, on barrier. Methods In randomized study 15 treated one upper limb pimecrolimus other betamethasone twice daily 3 weeks. Results Stratum corneum hydration transepidermal water loss, marker inside-outside barrier, improved in both groups. Dye penetration, outside-inside was also reduced drugs. Electron microscopic evaluation structure displayed prevalently ordered stratum lipid layers regular lamellar body extrusion pimecrolimus-treated but inconsistent extracellular bilayers only partially filled bodies after treatment. Both normalized differentiation hyperproliferation. Betamethasone superior reducing clinical symptoms proliferation; however, it led thinning. Conclusion The present demonstrates improve biophysical parameters differentiation. Because did not cause atrophy, might be more suitable long-term treatment AD.