[Antipruritic mechanisms of pimecrolimus cream for facial dermatitis in adult women patients].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the antipruritic mechanisms of pimecrolimus cream for women facial dermatitis.

METHODS:

Topical pimecrolimus cream 1% was applied in 52 women patients with facial dermatitis. The Investigators Global Assessment (IGA) score, severity of pruritus (SP) scores, and a basic syntax and molecular substrate (molecular psychophysics) of nociception and pruriception established by temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channels were used to evaluate the clinical signs, severity of pruritus, and skin sensory phenomenon.

RESULTS:

The IGA scores at day 1 and 4 of treatment and the SP score at day 1, 4, and 11 of treatment were significantly lower than the baseline scores before treatment (P < 0.05). Among these 52 patients, 28 (53.8%) showed positive capsaicin-like response (i.e., burning with consequent rapid amelioration of pruritus) at the application sites, 12 (23.1%) showed camphor-like response (i.e., warming with consequent rapid amelioration of pruritus), and 12 (23.1%) showed negative capsaicin-like response or negative camphor-like response.

CONCLUSIONS:

Treatment with pimecrolimus cream 1% can rapidly and effectively improve the signs and symptoms of facial dermatitis in adult women patients. Pimecrolimus cream 1% may act on the transient potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor in the skin sensory afferents to induce capsaicin-like response or camphor-like response and then desensitizes TRPV1 and rapidly inhibits or alleviate itching.

• Authors: Zhi-Qiang Xie, Gao-Yun Yang, Wei Jiang, Min-Li Xu
• Journal: Zhongguo yi xue ke xue yuan xue bao. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae (Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao) Vol. 31 Issue 1 Pg. 27-30 (Feb 2009) ISSN: 1000-503X [Print] China
• PMID: 19317053 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipruritics
• pimecrolimus
• Tacrolimus

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antipruritics (administration & dosage)
• Dermatitis (complications, drug therapy)
• Face
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Pruritus (drug therapy, etiology)
• Tacrolimus (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Young Adult