Metabonomic methods to assess health of skin

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of assessing the health of skin. Biomarkers are used to evaluate skin samples. Using metabonomics approaches, samples taken from different skin sites or at different times during a treatment are used to diagnose skin conditions or to appraise various skin treatments for efficacy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A shows a 700 MHz ¹H NMR spectrum of an aqueous extraction of tape strip collected from occluded adult forearm skin. Spectrum corresponds to proton chemical shift range of about 0.5 to 2.5 ppm. All chemical shifts are reported relative to TMS.

FIG. 1B shows ¹H NMR spectrum per FIG. 1A showing chemical shift range of about 2.5 to 4.5 ppm.

FIG. 1C shows ¹H NMR spectrum per FIG. 1A showing chemical shift range of about 5.5 to 8.5 ppm.

FIG. 2A shows 600 MHz ¹H NMR spectra of extraction of tape strips collected from adult forearm skin following full occlusion for 72 hours (A), partial occlusion for 72 hours (B), non-occluded control (C). Water resonance (about 4.8 ppm) is excluded.

FIG. 2B shows expanded aliphatic regions corresponding to ¹H NMR spectra in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C shows expanded aromatic regions corresponding to ¹H NMR spectra in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 shows 600 MHz ¹H NMR spectra (aromatic region) of tape strip extractions of adult forearm skin (A) and with cis- and trans-urocanic acid spike (B). Chemical structure of trans-urocanic acid shown as insert.

FIG. 4A shows 600 MHz ¹H NMR spectra (aliphatic region) of tape strip extractions of adult forearm skin (A) and with histidine spike (B). Chemical structure of histidine shown as insert.

FIG. 4B shows 600 MHz ¹H NMR spectra (aromatic region) of tape strip extractions of adult forearm skin (A) and with histidine spike (B). Chemical structure of histidine shown as insert.

FIG. 5 shows 600 MHz ¹H NMR spectra (aliphatic region) of tape strip extractions of adult forearm skin (A) and with lactic acid spike (B). Chemical structure of lactic acid shown as insert.

FIG. 6 shows a scores plot for skin samples grouped into occluded and control.

FIG. 7A shows a diagram identifying various test sites of baby skin.

FIG. 7B shows 600 MHz ¹H NMR spectra (aliphatic region) of aqueous extractions of tape strips from the various sites as identified in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C shows 600 MHz ¹H NMR spectra (aromatic region) of aqueous extractions of tape strips from the various sites as identified in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 shows 500 MHz ¹H NMR spectra (aromatic region) of tape skin extractions of adult forearm occluded skin (A), after one wipe with a ZnO lotion wipe (B), and after five wipes with ZnO lotion wipe (C).

FIG. 9 shows a three-dimensional scores plot of skin in different states: untreated normal, occluded and wipe-cleaned.

FIG. 10 shows a spatial separation of three skin conditions (untreated normal, occluded, and wipe-cleaned) on a three-dimensional scores plot from a subject.

FIG. 11 shows 500 MHz ¹H NMR spectra (aromatic region) of tape skin extractions of adult forearm occluded skin (A), skin wiped with ZnO lotion wipe (B), and skin wiped with vehicle (water/preservative only) lotion wipe (C).

FIG. 12 shows separation of ZnO lotion wipes treated skin from vehicle (water/preservative only) wipes treated skin and occluded control skin on a two-dimensional scores plot.

FIG. 13A shows a three-dimensional scores plot of various skin samples, with outlier subjects separated.

FIG. 13B shows an expanded plot of the three-dimensional scores plot of FIG. 13A and is shown without subjects #113 and #115.

Claims

1. A method to assess a change in skin condition comprising the step of comparing a first set of biomarkers on challenged skin to a second set of biomarkers on control skin, wherein a difference between the first set of biomarkers and the second set of biomarkers indicates a change in skin condition.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of identifying individual biomarkers in the first set of biomarkers that are different from individual biomarkers in the second set.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising repeating the comparing step at one or more time in order to determine a rate of change in skin condition.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of identifying a difference in an amount of a specific biomarker in the first set compared to an amount of the same specific biomarker in the second set.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the biomarkers in both the first set and the second set is urocanic acid.

6. A method to assess a change in skin condition comprising the steps of: (a) isolating a first set of biomarkers from challenged skin and a second set of biomarkers from control skin; and(b) comparing individual analyses of the first set of biomarkers from challenged skin and the second set of biomarkers from control skin,

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the individual analyses in step (b) are performed using a technique selected from the group consisting of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the technique is nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein one of the biomarkers in both the first set and the second set is urocanic acid.

10. A method to assess a change in skin condition comprising the steps of: (a) removing a first set of biomarkers from a first challenged skin and a second set of biomarkers from control skin with separate adhesive strips;(b) extracting a first set of biomarkers from the adhesive strip from the first challenged skin and a second set of biomarkers from the adhesive strip from the control skin;(c) analyzing individually the first set of biomarkers and the second set of biomarkers; and(d) comparing results from the analysis in step (c)

11. The method of claim 10 wherein one of the biomarkers in both the first set and the second set is urocanic acid.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein analyzing individually the first set of biomarkers and the second set of biomarkers is performed using individual NMR experiments.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of identifying one or more biomarkers in both the first set and the second set which produce differences between the individual NMR experiments.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the change in skin condition is associated with a topical challenge, a therapeutic challenge, a prophylactic challenge, or a pathological challenge, and control skin is unchallenged skin.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the topical challenge is an occlusion.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein occlusion results from contact with clothing, adult incontinence product, an injury dressing, a diaper, a feminine care product, or a substance.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the substance is a human substance or a foreign substance.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the therapeutic challenge or prophylactic challenge is a topical medicament or cleanser to alleviate or prevent a skin disorder or condition.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the topical medicament or cleanser is a solution, wipe, ointment, powder, cream, or lotion.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the pathological challenge is a bacterial infection, viral infection, or parasitic infection.