To study the effect of bepotastine besilate (bepotastine) on skin barrier function, we induced dermatitis on the back of C57BL/6 mice by tape stripping with or without oral administration of bepotastine, and investigated the mRNA expression levels of molecules associated with skin barrier function and inflammatory cytokines by real-time RT-PCR. Dermatitis was much milder in mice treated with bepotastine than vehicle-treated mice, and involucrin expression in the former mice was significantly higher than that in the latter mice (p<0.05). Filaggrin expression also tended to be increased by bepotastine treatment. With regard to cytokine expression, bepotastine significantly decreased IL-6 expression (p<0.05). Expression levels of IL-1β, IL-23p19, and IL-17A also tended to be decreased by bepotastine, although the differences were not statistically significant. Our study has suggested that bepotastine not only improves pruritus, but also inhibits expression of inflammatory cytokines, suggesting potential for its improvement of skin barrier function.Skin Research, 14: 391-396, 2015

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A 52-year-old woman was referred to our dermatology department for an irregular-shaped induration on both the iliac crests. She had been intermittently treated with systemic steroids for 7 years under the diagnosis of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis; she had noticed induration on the right iliac crest 4 years previously, which had since gradually enlarged and appeared on the left iliac crest. X-ray revealed that these indurations were caused by calcinosis. Histopathology of a skin biopsy showed basophilic deposits in the dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue by HE stain, which were von Kossa-positive. The lesion was diagnosed as calcinosis cutis, and treatment with 1mg/day colchicine was started one year after the initial presentation. Six months after the start of treatment, pain due to the calcinosis cutis improved and the induration became smaller. X-ray imaging 1 year after the start of colchicine therapy revealed a reduction in the calcinosis size. The patient continued colchicine therapy for more than 3 years. Colchicine has an anti-inflammatory effect and inhibits neutrophil migration. Previous reports have suggested that colchicine is useful for calcinosis cutis with scleroderma. Although calcinosis cutis is refractory to various treatments, colchicine should be considered as a treatment for calcinosis cutis associated with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis.Skin Research, 14: 397-402, 2015

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Topical tapes containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) promote penetration of effective ingredients into the skin by tight attachment. However, allergic and photoallergic sensitization to various components may be occasionally induced. It is well known that damage of the skin barrier promotes penetration of allergens and photoallergens into the skin. Damage of the skin barrier by topical tapes has been little studied. We evaluated transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and capacitance before and after continuous application of loxoprofen sodium hydrate tape and 2% ketoprofen tape for 7 continuous days. Significant increase of TEWL was observed at the skin applied with 2% ketoprofen tape. Our results suggest the need to further investigate the damage of the skin barrier by topical tapes containing NSAIDs to prevent or decrease allergic and photoallergic dermatitis.Skin Research, 14: 403-410, 2015

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We report two cases of spindle cell hemangioma (SCH) with lesions on the toe. The first case was a tumor that appeared on the left first toe in a man in his twenties, and the second case was on the right second toe in a woman in her forties. Preoperative ultrasonography revealed typical findings for hemangioma in both cases. Histopathologically, both nodules consisted of a cavernous area and a solid area composed of spindle cells in the stroma. Immunohistochemically, the endothelial cells were positive for CD31 and focally positive for CD34 and D2-40, and the spindle cells were negative for these endothelial markers. α-SMA was mainly positive along the lining of the vascular lumen. Both the endothelial cells and the spindle cells were negative for WT-1 and HHV-8. SCH is usually recognized as a disease originating from blood vessels, but some reports suggest a lymphatic origin. In our cases, the endothelial cells were positive for D2-40 and negative for WT-1, suggesting the possibility of the SCH originating from blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.Skin Research, 14: 411-416, 2015

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