J Vet Sci.  2013 Jun;14(2):199-205. 10.4142/jvs.2013.14.2.199.

Clinical use of a ceramide-based moisturizer for treating dogs with atopic dermatitis

• Jung JY
• Nam EH
• Park SH
• Han SH
• Hwang CY

• KMID: 1705522
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2013.14.2.199

Abstract

In humans, skin barrier dysfunction is thought to be responsible for enhanced penetration of allergens. Similar to conditions seen in humans, canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is characterized by derangement of corneocytes and disorganization of intercellular lipids in the stratum corenum (SC) with decreased ceramide levels. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a moisturizer containing ceramide on dogs with CAD. Dogs (n = 20, 3~8 years old) with mild to moderate clinical signs were recruited and applied a moisturizer containing ceramide for 4 weeks. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, pruritus index for canine atopic dermatitis (PICAD) scores, and canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI) scores of all dogs were evaluated. Skin samples from five dogs were also examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using ruthenium tetroxide. TEWL, PICAD, and CADESI values decreased (p < 0.05) and skin hydration increased dramatically over time (p < 0.05). Electron micrographs showed that the skin barrier of all five dogs was partially restored (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that moisturizer containing ceramide was effective for treating skin barrier dysfunction and CAD symptoms.

Keyword

atopic dermatitis; ceramide; dog; skin barrier dysfunction; transmission electron microscopy

MeSH Terms

Animals
Ceramides/*therapeutic use
Cholesterol/*therapeutic use
Dermatitis, Atopic/complications/drug therapy/physiopathology/*veterinary
Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology
Dogs
Emollients/*therapeutic use
Epidermis/drug effects/physiopathology/ultrastructure
Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/*therapeutic use
Female
Male
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary
Pruritus/drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology/veterinary
Republic of Korea
Ruthenium Compounds/chemistry
Water Loss, Insensible/drug effects
Ceramides
Cholesterol
Emollients
Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
Ruthenium Compounds

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Changes in scores for clinical characteristics and functional parameters. (A) The modified CADESI scores improved after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment with a moisturizer containing physiologic lipids. (B) The PICAD scores for most canine participants showed gradual improvement over time. (C) TEWL decreased significantly after application of the moisturizer. (D) Skin hydration was increased more than four-fold at both 2 and 4 weeks after moisturizer application. (E) TEM scores for day 0 differed significantly from those for day 28 of moisturizer application. Results are presented as the mean ± SD. *p < 0.001.

• 

  Fig. 2 Transmission electron micrographs of the upper epidermis before and after moisturizer treatment. (A) Before treatment, corneocytes were arranged in a disorganized manner and were less compact with wide intercellular spaces. (B) After moisturizer treatment, corneocyte organization was more regular and compact in the stratum corneum. Ruthenium tetroxide post-fixation. Asterisks (*) indicate intercellular space. Arrowhead: desmosome, C: corneocyte. Scale bars = 200 nm.

• 

  Fig. 3 Transmission electron micrographs of the stratum corneum before and after moisturizer treatment. (A, C) In atopic dogs, the lipid lamellae were greatly disorganized and the reduced intercorneocyte space was occupied by lipid lamellae. (B, D) After moisturizer treatment, the lipid lamellae were more organized and the increased intercorneocyte space was occupied by a nearly normal lipid bilayer. (E) Magnified field from Fig. 3B. The lipid bilayer was composed of alternating layers of electron-dense lamellae and electron-lucent lamellae. Ruthenium tetroxide post-fixation. Arrowheads: lipid lamellae, D: desmosome. Scale bars = 100 nm.

• 

  Fig. 4 Transmission electron micrographs of the interface between the stratum corneum and stratum granulosum after moisturizer treatment. Following moisturizer treatment, more active lamellar body extrusion was observed. (A) Lamellar body structures in the stratum granulosum. (B, C and D) Secretion of lamellar body lipids and their transformation into the lipid bilayer. After extrusion of the lamellar body disks into the intercellular space, the brims of the adjacent disks fused and formed continuous lipid bilayers. Ruthenium tetroxide post-fixation. Arrows: lamellar body, Arrowheads: lipid bilayer. Scale bars = 100 nm.

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