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

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.

Pilot study using five methods to evaluate skin barrier function in healthy dogs and in dogs with atopic dermatitis

“…Along with the Skin‐pH‐Meter®, the Corneometer® is one of the most used devices for the assessment of the skin barrier integrity in humans and dogs . With a CC >0.75 both intra‐ and interobserver, and low CV (<4), the Corneometer® was a reliable method to assess skin barrier in dogs for all locations evaluated except the interdigital space.…”

“…Skin hydration was assessed using the Corneometer CM825 ® (Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH; Cologne, Germany) . With dogs in lateral recumbency, the instrument was placed on the each of the four prepared sites on the right side of the dogs.…”

Pilot evaluation of the antipruritic efficacy of a topical transient receptor potential melastatin subfamily 8 (TRPM8) agonist in dogs with atopic dermatitis and pedal pruritus

“…In recent years, skin barrier‐correcting interventions have been tested in atopic dogs. The topical application of various skin lipid‐containing formulations was shown to result in several beneficial changes, such as the replenishment of defective stratum corneum lipid lamellae, a decrease in transepidermal water loss and, ultimately, a reduction, albeit rather an inconsistent one, in atopic skin lesion and/or pruritus scores . The substrate of the tested Cryosim‐1 and placebo creams contained several lipid moisturizing agents that include triglycerides, glycerin and ceramide‐3.…”

“…The topical application of various skin lipid-containing formulations was shown to result in several beneficial changes, such as the replenishment of defective stratum corneum lipid lamellae, a decrease in transepidermal water loss and, ultimately, a reduction, albeit rather an inconsistent one, in atopic skin lesion and/or pruritus scores. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] The substrate of the tested Cryosim-1 and placebo creams contained several lipid moisturizing agents that include triglycerides, glycerin and ceramide-3. As a result, the improvement in pedal PVAS seen in the paws treated with placebo, but also in that present after treatment with Cryosim-1, might not only be due to a simple placebo effect, but also to the beneficial barrier-correcting effect of the lipid-containing moisturizing vehicle itself.…”

Randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled pilot study on the effects of topical blackcurrant emulsion enriched in essential fatty acids, ceramides and 18‐beta glycyrrhetinic acid on clinical signs and skin barrier function in dogs with atopic dermatitis

“…Decrease in certain ceramides in lesional and nonlesional skin of atopic dogs has been linked to increased skin barrier permeability . Topical application of lipid emulsions containing essential fatty acids (EFA) has also been shown to ameliorate skin barrier function and decrease the severity of clinical signs in dogs with AD . This type of therapy is considered useful to decrease the severity and frequency of allergic flares.…”