Uremic toxin indoxyl 3-sulfate regulates the differentiation of Th2 but not of Th1 cells to lessen allergic asthma.

Immune system dysfunctions including the increased Th1/Th2 ratio are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, and a wide variety of skin diseases including Th1-mediated uremic pruritis are associated with CKD. Although there are more than 90 uremic toxins reported, it is yet to be known which uremic solute is associated with the unbalanced Th1/Th2 ratio and how it works. Indoxyl 3-sulfate (I3S), one of uremic toxins and a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand, accumulates in blood and tissues, increasing up to 81.

Indoxyl 3-sulfate stimulates Th17 differentiation enhancing phosphorylation of c-Src and STAT3 to worsen experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Although AhR activation regulates CD4T cell differentiation, how it works has yet to be elucidated. In the present study, using in vitro Th17 differentiation model, we examined effects of AhR activation by indoxyl 3-sulfate (I3S), a uremic toxin, on Th17 differentiation and investigated underlying mechanisms. I3S increased expression of RORγt, the master transcription factor for Th17 differentiation, and stimulated Th17 differentiation, in a comparative manner as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a prototypical AhR ligand.

Safety assessment of chromium by exposure from cosmetic products.

Low level impurities often reside in cosmetic products. The aim of the present study was to estimate the human exposure to chromium from cosmetic products purchased at a local market in South Korea, and to assess the risk on public health. Hexavalent chromium is an impurity substance that contaminates cosmetic products during manufacture.

Skin permeation of retinol in Tween 20-based deformable liposomes: in-vitro evaluation in human skin and keratinocyte models.

To develop a more effective transdermal delivery method for lipophilic functional cosmetic compounds such as retinol, we formulated various deformable liposomes and compared their transdermal delivery efficiency with those of neutral or negatively-charged conventional liposomes. We tested the deformability of liposomes containing edge activators such as bile salts, polyoxyethylene esters and polyoxyethylene ethers. As indicators of deformability, we used the passed volume and phospholipid ratios during extrusion, as well as the deformability index.