Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Zinc sulfate as a treatment for rosacea
Here's an interesting one. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on zinc sulfate (100mg three times a day) as a naturopathic rosacea treatment, by the University of Baghdad, Iraq. Good results and minor gastric side-effects in some patients (for what it's worth, my personal experience with zinc is that I suffer gastric problems). The abstract doesn't make clear exactly what symptoms were looked at as part of disease severity. I will try to obtain the paper and comment further, later.
Oral zinc sulfate in the treatment of rosacea: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Int J Dermatol. 2006 Jul;45(7):857-61.
Sharquie KE, Najim RA, Al-Salman HN.
From the Departments of Dermatology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of
Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
Rosacea is a skin problem not uncommonly encountered world-wide. There is a need for an effective and well-tolerated treatment for this disease. To evaluate the efficacy and side-effects of zinc sulfate in rosacea in a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. Patients with rosacea who attended the outpatient Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology in Baghdad Teaching Hospital were recruited into this study between October 2002 and August 2004. A disease severity score was calculated for each patient. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either zinc sulfate 100 mg or identical placebo capsules three times per day. Zinc sulfate and placebo capsules were given in a double-blind manner. Following 3 months of starting the treatment, the patients crossed over, i.e. patients on placebo crossed over to zinc sulfate and those on zinc sulfate crossed over to placebo. Twenty-five patients with rosacea were included in this study: 16 (64%) females and nine (36%) males. Nineteen patients completed the study: 11 (58%) females and eight (42%) males. Patient age ranged from 21 to 64 years with a mean +/- SD of 48.2 +/- 9.3 years. Duration of the disease ranged from 1 to 14 years with a mean +/- SD of 4.4 +/- 3.2 years. In the group started on zinc sulfate, the score before therapy ranged from 5 to 11 with a mean +/- SD of 8 +/- 2.0. The mean started to decrease directly after the first month of therapy with zinc sulfate to a significantly lower level. After shifting to placebo treatment, the mean started to rise gradually in the fifth month but remained significantly lower than the levels before therapy. In the group started on placebo, the score before therapy ranged from 5 to 9 with a mean +/- SD of 7 +/- 1.3. The mean remained high in the first 3 months of therapy while the patients were on placebo. After shifting to zinc sulfate, the mean started to decrease after the fourth month to significantly low levels. No important side-effects were reported apart from mild gastric upset in three (12%) patients on zinc sulfate. Zinc sulfate was found to be a good option in the treatment of rosacea, as it was safe, effective and lacking important side-effects.
We have written about zinc supplements and rosacea previously.
Oral zinc sulfate in the treatment of rosacea: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Int J Dermatol. 2006 Jul;45(7):857-61.
Sharquie KE, Najim RA, Al-Salman HN.
From the Departments of Dermatology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of
Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
Rosacea is a skin problem not uncommonly encountered world-wide. There is a need for an effective and well-tolerated treatment for this disease. To evaluate the efficacy and side-effects of zinc sulfate in rosacea in a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. Patients with rosacea who attended the outpatient Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology in Baghdad Teaching Hospital were recruited into this study between October 2002 and August 2004. A disease severity score was calculated for each patient. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either zinc sulfate 100 mg or identical placebo capsules three times per day. Zinc sulfate and placebo capsules were given in a double-blind manner. Following 3 months of starting the treatment, the patients crossed over, i.e. patients on placebo crossed over to zinc sulfate and those on zinc sulfate crossed over to placebo. Twenty-five patients with rosacea were included in this study: 16 (64%) females and nine (36%) males. Nineteen patients completed the study: 11 (58%) females and eight (42%) males. Patient age ranged from 21 to 64 years with a mean +/- SD of 48.2 +/- 9.3 years. Duration of the disease ranged from 1 to 14 years with a mean +/- SD of 4.4 +/- 3.2 years. In the group started on zinc sulfate, the score before therapy ranged from 5 to 11 with a mean +/- SD of 8 +/- 2.0. The mean started to decrease directly after the first month of therapy with zinc sulfate to a significantly lower level. After shifting to placebo treatment, the mean started to rise gradually in the fifth month but remained significantly lower than the levels before therapy. In the group started on placebo, the score before therapy ranged from 5 to 9 with a mean +/- SD of 7 +/- 1.3. The mean remained high in the first 3 months of therapy while the patients were on placebo. After shifting to zinc sulfate, the mean started to decrease after the fourth month to significantly low levels. No important side-effects were reported apart from mild gastric upset in three (12%) patients on zinc sulfate. Zinc sulfate was found to be a good option in the treatment of rosacea, as it was safe, effective and lacking important side-effects.
We have written about zinc supplements and rosacea previously.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Dr. Patrick Bitter's phenyl-epinephrine rosacea patent
Dr. Bitter (creator of the "PhotoFacial" protocol) has submitted a patent application for the use of a topical constrictor, post-IPL treatments, or as a cosmetic lotion (to reduce redness). Most patents don't result in commercial products/treatments being developed, but interesting nonetheless.
Topical phenyl-epinephrine Rosacea treatment
Quote:
Inventors: Bitter, Patrick H. SR.; (Los Gatos, CA)
A near-permanent skin treatment includes photothermolysis of reddened facial skin to induce ischemia. Reperfusion of the photothermolysis treated skin is inhibited by following with regular applications of phenyl-epinephrine carried in a lotion until vascular necrosis is complete. Alternatively, a temporary treatment for reddened facial skin includes only cosmetic as-needed applications of phenyl-epinephrine carried in lotion to induce vasoconstriction in Rosacea and other similarly embarrassing skin disorders.
Topical phenyl-epinephrine Rosacea treatment
Quote:
Inventors: Bitter, Patrick H. SR.; (Los Gatos, CA)
A near-permanent skin treatment includes photothermolysis of reddened facial skin to induce ischemia. Reperfusion of the photothermolysis treated skin is inhibited by following with regular applications of phenyl-epinephrine carried in a lotion until vascular necrosis is complete. Alternatively, a temporary treatment for reddened facial skin includes only cosmetic as-needed applications of phenyl-epinephrine carried in lotion to induce vasoconstriction in Rosacea and other similarly embarrassing skin disorders.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Migenix develops CLS001 (formerly MX-594AN) as a topical treatment for rosacea
Migenix, using technology licensed and being developed in partnership with Cutanea Life Sciences, is developing a new topical product for rosacea. It looks to be an anti-inflammatory/anti-microbial (so may be beneficial for those rosacea sufferers with acne), based on "cationic antimicrobial peptides". Phase II trials are due to be completed in 2007.
Migenix's financial results and announcement of the rosacea topical (Yahoo)
Study on the active ingredient: "Anti-inflammatory activity of cationic peptides.."
One to keep an eye on, although I note that this topical was studies for use in Acne with Phase II trials in 2003... So it's curious they are looking at rosacea as the first indication.
Migenix's financial results and announcement of the rosacea topical (Yahoo)
Study on the active ingredient: "Anti-inflammatory activity of cationic peptides.."
One to keep an eye on, although I note that this topical was studies for use in Acne with Phase II trials in 2003... So it's curious they are looking at rosacea as the first indication.
Monday, July 03, 2006
New study on red and blue light for acne
A new study has been published on red and blue light (using LED's as the non-thermal light source). The study does not use a control group or try and differentiate between red and blue light, and there is even some microdermabrasion thrown in for good measure -- so not a terribly rigorous, scientific approach, in my opinion. That said, it is interesting to see LED therapy continue to generate interest. I have written about LED therapy before (follow-up still pending!).
The paper concludes: "Combination blue and red LED therapy appears to have excellent potential in the treatment of mild to severe acne. Treatment appears to be both pain- and side effect-free."
Combination blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) LED phototherapy in the treatment of mild to severe acne vulgaris.
Abstract
Goldberg DJ, Russell BA.
Advanced Laser and Dermatologic Surgery Clinics PC, Beaverton, OR.
Background and objective: Acne vulgaris represents both a challenge to the treating dermatologist and a major concern for the patient. Conventional treatments have proved inconsistent with often unacceptable side effects and high rates of recurrence. Non-thermal, non-laser, phototherapy for acne with a combination of blue and red light has recently attracted attention. The present study was designed to assess the efficacy of this combination phototherapy.Methods: Twenty-four subjects, Fitzpatrick skin types II-V, with mild to severe symmetric facial acne vulgaris were recruited for the study. Subjects were well matched at baseline in terms of both age and duration of acne. Subjects were treated over eight sessions, two per week 3 days apart, alternating between 415 nm blue light (20 minutes/session, 48 J/cm2) and 633 nm red light (20 minutes/session, 96 J/cm2) from a light-emitting diode (LED)-based therapy system. Patients received a mild microdermabrasion before each session. Acne was assessed at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12. Results: Twenty-two patients completed the trial. A mean reduction in lesion count was observed at all follow-up points. At the 4-week follow-up, the mean lesion count reduction was significant at 46% (p = 0.001). At the 12-week follow-up, the mean lesion count reduction was also significant at 81% (p = 0.001). Patient and dermatologist assessments were similar. Severe acne showed a marginally better response than mild acne. Side effects were minimal and transitory. Comedones did not respond as well as inflammatory lesions. Conclusions: Combination blue and red LED therapy appears to have excellent potential in the treatment of mild to severe acne. Treatment appears to be both pain- and side effect-free.
The paper concludes: "Combination blue and red LED therapy appears to have excellent potential in the treatment of mild to severe acne. Treatment appears to be both pain- and side effect-free."
Combination blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) LED phototherapy in the treatment of mild to severe acne vulgaris.
Abstract
Goldberg DJ, Russell BA.
Advanced Laser and Dermatologic Surgery Clinics PC, Beaverton, OR.
Background and objective: Acne vulgaris represents both a challenge to the treating dermatologist and a major concern for the patient. Conventional treatments have proved inconsistent with often unacceptable side effects and high rates of recurrence. Non-thermal, non-laser, phototherapy for acne with a combination of blue and red light has recently attracted attention. The present study was designed to assess the efficacy of this combination phototherapy.Methods: Twenty-four subjects, Fitzpatrick skin types II-V, with mild to severe symmetric facial acne vulgaris were recruited for the study. Subjects were well matched at baseline in terms of both age and duration of acne. Subjects were treated over eight sessions, two per week 3 days apart, alternating between 415 nm blue light (20 minutes/session, 48 J/cm2) and 633 nm red light (20 minutes/session, 96 J/cm2) from a light-emitting diode (LED)-based therapy system. Patients received a mild microdermabrasion before each session. Acne was assessed at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12. Results: Twenty-two patients completed the trial. A mean reduction in lesion count was observed at all follow-up points. At the 4-week follow-up, the mean lesion count reduction was significant at 46% (p = 0.001). At the 12-week follow-up, the mean lesion count reduction was also significant at 81% (p = 0.001). Patient and dermatologist assessments were similar. Severe acne showed a marginally better response than mild acne. Side effects were minimal and transitory. Comedones did not respond as well as inflammatory lesions. Conclusions: Combination blue and red LED therapy appears to have excellent potential in the treatment of mild to severe acne. Treatment appears to be both pain- and side effect-free.
