Discussion
These results suggest that UFB shower can recover the skin barrier function and improve skin inflammation, especially in conditions such as extrinsic AD.
Methods
We examined the effects of a UFB shower on two mouse models of AD: Dermatophagoides farinae body (Dfb)- induced AD in NC/Nga mice and interleukin (IL)-33 transgenic (tg) mice. Each model comprised three groups: UFB shower-treated, normal shower-treated, and untreated. We evaluated the mice using a dermatitis score, scratching counts, histology, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines and skin barrier-related proteins.
Results
In the Dfb-induced AD mouse model, clinical features improved markedly in the UFB shower-treated mice compared to other groups. IL-4 and IL-13 levels decreased in the skin of normal and UFB shower-treated mice. In addition, in the skin of UFB shower-treated mice, the expression levels of skin barrier-related proteins were increased compared to normal showertreated mice. However, we found no significant differences in IL33tg mice.