The Effect of a Hydrocolloid Dressing Containing Ceramide-2 on Split-Thickness Wounds in a Laser-Induced Erosion Model

Abstract

Lower levels of ceramides in the stratum corneum are considered to be an etiologic factor in the dry and barrier-disrupted skin of patients with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, and xeroderma pigmentosum. Topical ceramides therapy has currently been used to improve skin barrier function. However, little is known about the effect of topical ceramides on wound healing. This study investigated the effect of ceramide-2 on wound healing using a diabetic mouse model. Using a CO(2) laser to create standard erosions on the dorsal skin of mice, the authors developed a reproducible model of split-thickness wounds. Two wounds were placed on the back symmetrically across the spine of mice. The left-side wounds were covered with the hydrocolloid dressing containing 0.3% ceramide-2, and those on the right were covered with the control hydrocolloid dressing containing no ceramides. Seven days after the irradiation, controls showed a transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of 66.58 g/m(2)h on average, which was significantly higher than the mean TEWL of the ceramide-treated wounds, 46.22 g/m(2)h (P < .05, Student t test). Histological assessment also revealed ceramide-2 improved recovery of the erosion morphologically. The authors' findings suggest for the first time the possibility of the novel application of ceramide as a therapeutic agent for skin erosion.