Vitamin D3's role in psoriasisImpact of topical emollient, steroids alone or combined with calcipotriol, on the immune infiltrate and clinical outcome in psoriasis.
We conducted a study to better understand how topical treatments, particularly those involving vitamin D3, affect psoriasis. In our investigation, we focused on a group of 30 psoriasis patients, using a double-blind, randomized approach. This means neither the patients nor the researchers knew who received which treatment, ensuring an unbiased evaluation of their effects.
The treatments explored included a combination of Calcipotriol (a vitamin D3 analogue) and Betamethasone (a steroid), as well as Betamethasone alone and Clobetasol Propionate ointment. Through the analysis of skin biopsies before and after four weeks of treatment, we observed changes in skin inflammation, cellular infiltrate, and patients’ clinical scores for psoriasis severity.
While we noted that all treatments helped reduce skin thickness and improved patient scores, the greatest impact was seen with the combination of Calcipotriol and Betamethasone. This specific treatment effectively diminished the number of harmful immune cells that contribute to psoriasis flare-ups. However, the isolated effect of vitamin D3 alone wasn’t clearly established, as the most significant outcomes were tied to its use in combination with steroids.
Ultimately, our findings suggest that while vitamin D3 plays a role in psoriasis treatment, its benefits are most pronounced when paired with corticosteroids. This combination could potentially lead to enhanced long-term management of the disease, although the specific contribution of vitamin D3 alone remains uncertain.
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Vitamin D's role in psoriasis treatmentVitamins for the Management of Nail Disease: A Literature Review.
We investigated the impact of vitamin D treatment on psoriasis, emphasizing its effectiveness for this skin condition. Our focus was on vitamin D as a topical treatment option, particularly in relation to nail psoriasis, a chronic and often challenging ailment.
Through a review of existing studies, we found strong evidence supporting the use of topical vitamin D analogs alongside tazarotene for managing nail psoriasis effectively. This means that for individuals dealing with nail psoriasis, there is a credible therapeutic option that can assist in reducing symptoms and improving overall nail health.
However, when we looked at other nail disorders and broader treatments involving vitamin D, the evidence was limited. We didn’t uncover significant benefits for many conditions when relying solely on vitamins, suggesting that while vitamin D can be helpful, more robust research is needed to ascertain its full potential across various nail disorders.
In conclusion, while there’s promising news for nail psoriasis patients, the journey for solid, proven treatments for other nail conditions could use further exploration.
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Calcipotriol more effective than calcitriolComparative evaluation of efficacy and safety of calcipotriol versus calcitriol ointment, both in combination with narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis.
We explored the effectiveness of two vitamin D analogues, calcipotriol and calcitriol, in treating stable plaque psoriasis when combined with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy. Our study involved thirty patients who were treated for 12 weeks, applying calcitriol ointment to one side and calcipotriol ointment to the other.
Throughout the trial, we observed significant improvements in skin conditions such as erythema, scaling, and overall plaque thickness with both treatments. Remarkably, those using calcipotriol showed quicker clearance of plaques and experienced fewer relapses compared to those using calcitriol.
Both treatments were found to be safe and well-tolerated, making them cosmetically appealing options. However, calcipotriol not only demonstrated a rapid onset of action but also maintained its efficacy more consistently over the treatment period.
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Vitamin D3 ethosomal gel for psoriasisSynthesis of vitamin D3 loaded ethosomes gel to cure chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease: physical characterization, in vitro and ex vivo studies.
We explored the development of ethosomal gels infused with vitamin D3 to target psoriasis, a chronic skin condition driven by immune responses. Vitamin D3 has long been recognized for its vital role in skin health, particularly in promoting the growth and maturation of skin cells known as keratinocytes.
Our research focused on creating a formulation that combines vitamin D3 with soya lecithin, propylene glycol, and ethanol. Through a series of tests, we assessed the size, shape, and encapsulation efficiency of the ethosomes, finding an impressive encapsulation rate of 96.25%.
The optimized ethosomes measured between 148 and 657 nanometers, with a manageable level of aggregation. We confirmed the formulation's safety and stability over six months, making it suitable for patient use. Additionally, our study demonstrated that this delivery system enabled effective permeation of the drug through membrane barriers.
As we delved into the physical characteristics and effectiveness of these gels, we observed that they could provide a novel and practical option for psoriasis sufferers seeking topical treatments.
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Phototherapy benefits psoriasis treatmentThe Effect of Phototherapy on Systemic Inflammation Measured with Serum Vitamin D-Binding Protein and hsCRP in Patients with Inflammatory Skin Disease.
We investigated how phototherapy, specifically narrowband-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), affects vitamin D levels and inflammatory markers in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The study involved thirty adults—twenty with psoriasis and ten with atopic dermatitis—who underwent NB-UVB treatment.
After therapy, we observed changes in vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), both of which indicate systemic inflammation. Interestingly, DBP levels decreased in psoriasis patients following treatment. However, the drop in hsCRP levels—while noticed in both groups—wasn't statistically significant.
We also saw improvements in disease severity, as measured by established scales, alongside increases in vitamin D levels. Sub-analyses showed that patients with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency tended to respond better to NB-UVB therapy compared to those who were vitamin D sufficient.
Overall, our findings suggest that phototherapy may offer not only skin benefits but also a systemic anti-inflammatory effect, primarily in psoriasis patients.
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