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By using the OCT technique, it was possible to quantify changes in skin roughness and in the distribution of depths of skin wrinkles, with adequate sensitivity. OCT imaging allows the direct visualization of the skin topography with resolution of micrometers, a reliable and interactive tool for clinical use. Therefore, for the first time, we demonstrated the use of OCT technique to verify the efficacy of cosmetic products in real time.

Background: Eosinophils contribute to the early features of allergic lung inflammation through the generation and release of a plethora of mediators. Eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) is one of the eosinophil granule proteins involved in the early response, but its participation in airway remodeling is not established. The present study addressed this question comparing an EPO-deficient mouse strain (NZW) with BALB/c and C57Bl/c strains. Methods: Mice were immunized with ovalbumin/alum, challenged twice with ovalbumin aerosol, and lung responses were measured at day 22 or 28. Collagen, mucus and eosinophils were determined in lung sections stained with picrosirius, periodic acid-Schiff or hematoxylin-eosin; transforming growth factor-β and vascular endothelial growth factor were determined by ELISA, lipid bodies by enumeration in osmium-stained eosinophils, and airway reactivity to methacholine in isolated lung preparations. Results: NZW mice showed significantly less collagen around bronchi and blood vessels, less mucus and less eosinophils around bronchi. Eosinophil lipid body formation and airway hyperreactivity were comparable among strains. Levels of transforming growth factor-β were also comparable; however, the NZW mice showed much higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, even under basal conditions. Conclusions: In allergic lung inflammation, the combination of EPO deficiency and overexpression of VEGF found in NZW mice is associated with less collagen deposition, less mucus and reduced tissue eosinophilia. Eosinophil activation and airway hyperreactivity in NZW mice were similar to the other strains.

We are close to achieving the production of a biomimetic functional skin and this advance is mainly due to the demand that is not limited to the field of regenerative medicine, the need for transplantation of this organ due to the aging of the population, but for ethical reasons related to the tests of safety and efficacy of new formulas in animal models by the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The limitations involved in traditional 2D cell culture approaches and manual techniques for biomimetic generation have driven the use of innovative technologies such as 3D bioprinting. One of the main advantages of the bioprinted skin is the authenticity, scalability and reproducibility of tissues compared to conventional constructs, via precise positioning of multiple cell types and the inclusion of appendages. The models of bioprinted skins will serve as a platform for the development of new formulations, molecule testing, disease simulation, as well as an alternative to chronic wound biocuratives and clinical transplants. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art approaches available for skin model bioprinting, discusses the context of the drug-cosmetic industry in the adoption of these models and presents the characteristics of the project under development at Natura Cosmetics.

The skin is the first line of defence against invasive micro-organisms, and its local microbiota provides additional protective functions based on antagonism against pathogenic micro-organisms and immunomodulation. Based on in vitro assays using Bifidobacterium spp. we demonstrated the antagonistic potential, as well as capacity in stimulating the production of cytokines and proteins of the extracellular matrix that these bacteria may exert on skin cells. This positive influence suggests the use of a consortium of these bifidobacteria in a topical product for dermatological treatments.