Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Defensins are peptides capable of reactivating latent LGR6 stem cells in the basal layer. When applied topically, these peptides can reduce signs of skin aging and increase dermal thickness. This study investigates the effects of a topical defensin formulation on extremity skin composition.
METHODS: An open label, single arm clinical trial was conducted on participants with dry, photoaged, or dull skin. A defensin-containing hand and body cream was applied twice daily for 6 weeks to the hands, forearms, elbows, and knees. Photographs and objective measurements of skin hydration, viscoelasticity (VE), retraction time (RT), thickness, density/transepidermal water loss (TEWL), as well as self-evaluation of skin quality and characteristics were obtained pre- and post- intervention.
RESULTS: After the study period, RT decreased by 56% across all body sites (p < 0.001) and VE improved at the elbow (125%, p = 0.009) and knee (110%, p < 0.001). Skin density also increased in all 4 body sites (40%, p < 0.001), while skin thickness increased at the elbow (29%, p = 0.03) and knee (17%, p = 0.04). Skin hydration increased at the elbow, knee, and forearm by 99%, 28%, and 16%, respectively (p < 0.05), while TEWL improved at the elbow only (-39%, p = 0.02). Patients\' self-evaluations showed improvements in overall skin quality and in the domains of dryness, ashiness, wrinkling, pigmentation, redness, roughness, and discomfort (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Following 6-week use of a defensin-containing cream, subjects reported significant improvement across many subjective skin domains. Similarly, objective measurements demonstrated significant improvement in skin architecture at select sites.
METHODS: An open label, single arm clinical trial was conducted on participants with dry, photoaged, or dull skin. A defensin-containing hand and body cream was applied twice daily for 6 weeks to the hands, forearms, elbows, and knees. Photographs and objective measurements of skin hydration, viscoelasticity (VE), retraction time (RT), thickness, density/transepidermal water loss (TEWL), as well as self-evaluation of skin quality and characteristics were obtained pre- and post- intervention.
RESULTS: After the study period, RT decreased by 56% across all body sites (p < 0.001) and VE improved at the elbow (125%, p = 0.009) and knee (110%, p < 0.001). Skin density also increased in all 4 body sites (40%, p < 0.001), while skin thickness increased at the elbow (29%, p = 0.03) and knee (17%, p = 0.04). Skin hydration increased at the elbow, knee, and forearm by 99%, 28%, and 16%, respectively (p < 0.05), while TEWL improved at the elbow only (-39%, p = 0.02). Patients\' self-evaluations showed improvements in overall skin quality and in the domains of dryness, ashiness, wrinkling, pigmentation, redness, roughness, and discomfort (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Following 6-week use of a defensin-containing cream, subjects reported significant improvement across many subjective skin domains. Similarly, objective measurements demonstrated significant improvement in skin architecture at select sites.
摘要：
目的:防御素是能够在基底层中重新激活潜伏LGR6干细胞的肽。当局部应用时，这些肽可以减少皮肤老化的迹象，增加皮肤厚度。本研究调查了局部防御素制剂对四肢皮肤组成的影响。
方法：开放标签，单臂临床试验是对干燥的参与者进行的，照片老化，或暗沉的皮肤。含防卫素的手部和身体霜每天两次，持续6周。前臂,肘部,和膝盖。皮肤水合的照片和客观测量，粘弹性（VE），缩回时间（RT），厚度,密度/经皮水分流失（TEWL），以及干预前后皮肤质量和特征的自我评价。
结果：研究结束后，所有身体部位的RT下降了56%(p<0.001)，肘部的VE改善了(125%，p=0.009)和膝盖(110%，p<0.001)。所有4个身体部位的皮肤密度也增加了（40％，p<0.001)，而肘部皮肤厚度增加(29%，p=0.03)和膝盖(17%，p=0.04)。肘部的皮肤水合作用增加，膝盖,和前臂99%，28%,16%,分别为(p<0.05)，而TEWL仅在肘部有所改善(-39%，p=0.02)。患者的自我评估显示，在整体皮肤质量和干燥领域的改善，灰,起皱,色素沉着,发红,粗糙度,和不适（p<0.05）。
结论：使用含防御素的乳膏6周后，受试者报告了许多主观皮肤领域的显着改善。同样，客观测量显示,选定部位的皮肤结构有显著改善.
方法：开放标签，单臂临床试验是对干燥的参与者进行的，照片老化，或暗沉的皮肤。含防卫素的手部和身体霜每天两次，持续6周。前臂,肘部,和膝盖。皮肤水合的照片和客观测量，粘弹性（VE），缩回时间（RT），厚度,密度/经皮水分流失（TEWL），以及干预前后皮肤质量和特征的自我评价。
结果：研究结束后，所有身体部位的RT下降了56%(p<0.001)，肘部的VE改善了(125%，p=0.009)和膝盖(110%，p<0.001)。所有4个身体部位的皮肤密度也增加了（40％，p<0.001)，而肘部皮肤厚度增加(29%，p=0.03)和膝盖(17%，p=0.04)。肘部的皮肤水合作用增加，膝盖,和前臂99%，28%,16%,分别为(p<0.05)，而TEWL仅在肘部有所改善(-39%，p=0.02)。患者的自我评估显示，在整体皮肤质量和干燥领域的改善，灰,起皱,色素沉着,发红,粗糙度,和不适（p<0.05）。
结论：使用含防御素的乳膏6周后，受试者报告了许多主观皮肤领域的显着改善。同样，客观测量显示,选定部位的皮肤结构有显著改善.
