Interesting Article Re: Wound Healing Combo

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I found an interesting article in the December 2001 edition of

Dermatology Times. Although it doesn't directly deal with rosacea, it

does talk about how one form of Vitamin E can be absorbed by the skin

and can be used successfully as an antioxidant.

Take care,

Matija

Selenomethionine, vitamin E combo effective

December 1, 2001

By: Jane Schwanke

Dermatology Times

New York - With the number of laser abrasions being performed today,

it is no wonder that postprocedure wound healing is a hot topic.

" Everybody is thinking about it, and everyone has their own

protocol, " said E. Burke, M.D., Ph.D., dermatologist and

attending physician, Cabrini Medical Center, New York.

While lasers are delivering miraculous results on the face, the

downside remains a difficult initial healing period, with redness,

pain, and sometimes swelling, as well as the risk of infection.

Dr. Burke's approach to wound healing is based on her more than 15

years of research on selenium and vitamin E. Most recently she

extended her studies to investigate how selenium delivered topically

as L-selenomethionine, coupled with vitamin E, can help the skin

recover from laser abrasion procedures. " They're both good

antioxidants and both are known to be anti-inflammatory, " she

said. " It stood to reason that they would help in wound healing too. "

Selenium, a trace mineral that quenches free radicals, has earned

acclaim for its cancer-preventive qualities among populations that

naturally derive the nutrient through soil and water. People in the

Southeast are often deficient, while those in the Great Plains

regions consume higher levels.

Vitamin E has 32 distinct molecular forms or isomers; these isomers

are classified as D-, L-, or DL- and alpha, beta, gamma, or delta.

When it comes to application on the skin, the form that is " by the

far the most effective is D-alpha-tocopherol, " Dr. Burke said. What

she found in her latest study convinced her of the combined healing

properties of selenomethionine and vitamin E.

Enhanced healing, less inflammation

Using Yorkshire pigs, Dr. Burke performed both high-wattage and low-

wattage laser abrasions. Immediately following the procedures, some

of the pigs were treated with a moisturizing cream and some were

treated with L-selenomethionine 0.05 percent and vitamin E in the

form of 5 percent D-alpha tocopherol. Others were left untreated.

Absorption status was verified by measuring skin, blood, and liver

levels.

The pigs that received topical applications of either

selenomethionine or vitamin E experienced " markedly enhanced wound

healing and markedly less inflammation, " Dr. Burke said, whereas the

other control groups improved only slightly.

In addition, Dr. Burke found that the animals that received L-

selenomethionine developed half as many skin cancers induced by

ultraviolet irradiation as those that received no treatment. And

these cancers developed later in the animals' lives - about five or

10 human equivalent years later. In human subjects, she found that

the higher the concentration of topical L-selenomethionine applied,

the greater the protection.

" The most important thing is that selenium must be applied topically

in the form of selenomethionine, or it's not absorbed, " Dr. Burke

said. " Unlike selenium sulfide - utilized in shampoos developed to

treat seborrhea and dandruff, which results in no percutaneous

absorption of selenium - L-selenomethionine is absorbed by the skin.

And secondly, form matters. You can't apply vitamin E from a capsule

since the capsule contains tocopheryl acetate, the ester form; the

ester is not active on the skin because, unlike the stomach, the skin

does not have the enzymes to convert the ester to the active

tocopherol form.

" Only the D-alpha tocopherol form is active on the skin, and a

minimum concentration of 2 to 5 percent is needed for efficacy.

Almost all, if not all, vitamin E products commonly available contain

the mixture of 32 isomers, rather than the one active isomer, and

contain the ester derivative, which is not active on the skin. Also,

the concentration is usually very low - less than 0.1 percent.

Topical D-alpha-tocopherol 5 percent is truly different. "

Silvadine burn treatment

In other studies, Dr. Burke has also shown that Silvadine, a cream

used to treat severe burns, significantly enhances postlaser abrasion

wound healing. Application should begin immediately after the

procedure, she said, " particularly for the first week when the wound

is really open because of its anti-bacterial properties. After the

initial healing, I favor 5 percent vitamin E. "

Whichever topical treatment is used, Dr. Burke encourages open

dressings. " Although closed dressings are easier for the patient,

they also create more chance for infection, " she said. " Two things

can cause scarring after laser abrasion: an uneven abrasion or too

much overlap, and infection. "

Despite improvements in laser techniques, the need for effective

wound-healing products is not likely to diminish. " No matter what

technique is used, to get more of an effect, you have to do more

abrasion, which means more of a healing period, " said Dr. Burke. " As

I've shown in pig models, these products really do help.

" Any person that undergoes laser abrasion should take steps to

enhance wound healing, " she added. " I think every surgeon should at

least try topical L-selenomethionine, vitamin E, and Silvadine and

see if they don't agree. In my studies, all of them enhance wound

healing significantly. In the clinic, I find them to be excellent. "

DT