Combination of glucosamine and low-dose cyclosporine for atopic dermatitis treatment: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel clinical trial

Dermatol Ther. 2015 Jan-Feb;28(1):44-51. doi: 10.1111/dth.12163. Epub 2014 Aug 12.

Abstract

Our recent pilot study showed better outcomes using a combination of low-dose cyclosporine and glucosamine than cyclosporine alone in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Here, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-designed study was planned to compare the efficacy and safety of low-dose cyclosporine and glucosamine combination to low-dose cyclosporine alone for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe AD. AD patients with a Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index ≥ 30 were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either cyclosporine 2 mg/kg and glucosamine 25 mg/kg (group A) or cyclosporine and placebo (group B) for 8 weeks. SCORAD indices, serum levels of chemokine ligand 17 and interleukin-31, eosinophil counts, and blood cyclosporine levels were examined before and after treatment. The SCORAD indices for group A (n = 19) were significantly reduced after the treatment and a significant correlation between the changes in the SCORAD indices and changes in the serum levels of chemokine ligand 17, but not interleukin-31, was detected. Glucosamine combined with cyclosporine did not increase adverse events and serum cyclosporine levels compared with cyclosporine alone. Therefore, combination of low-dose cyclosporine and glucosamine may be useful to allow the long-term use of cyclosporine in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe AD.

Keywords: CCL17; SCORAD; atopic dermatitis; combination; glucosamine; low-dose cyclosporine.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chemokine CCL17 / blood
  • Child
  • Cyclosporine / administration & dosage
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / drug therapy*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / pathology
  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Dermatologic Agents / adverse effects
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Eosinophils / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glucosamine / administration & dosage
  • Glucosamine / adverse effects
  • Glucosamine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Interleukins / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CCL17 protein, human
  • Chemokine CCL17
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • IL31 protein, human
  • Interleukins
  • Cyclosporine
  • Glucosamine