Biotin: overview of the treatment of diseases of cutaneous appendages and of hyperseborrhea

Biotinylated Quinone as a Chemiluminescence Sensor for Biotin-Avidin Interaction and Biotin Detection Application

Biotin, or vitamin B7, is essential for metabolic reactions. It must be obtained from external sources such as food and biotin/vitamin supplements because it is not biosynthesized by mammals. Therefore, there is a need to monitor its levels in supplements. However, biotin detection methods, which include chromatographic, immune, enzymatic, and microbial assays, are tedious, time-consuming, and expensive. Thus, we synthesized a product called biotin-naphthoquinone, which produces chemiluminescence upon its redox cycle reaction with dithiothreitol and luminol; then it was used as a chemiluminescence sensor for biotin-avidin interaction. When a quinone biotinylated compound binds avidin, the chemiluminescence decreases noticeably due to the proximity between quinone and avidin, and when free biotin is added in a competitive assay, the chemiluminescence returns. The chemiluminescence is regained as the free biotin displaces biotinylated quinone in its complex with avidin, freeing biotin-naphthoquinone. Many experiments, including the use of a biotin-free quinone, proved the competitive nature of the assay. The competitive assay method used in this study was linear in the range of 1.0-100 µM with a detection limit of 0.58 µM. The competitive chemiluminescence assay could detect biotin in vitamin B7 tablets with good recovery of 91.3 to 110% and respectable precision (RSD < 8.7%).

Probiotic supplement combined with topical therapy in the treatment of mild to moderate acne: results from an Italian single centre interventional study

BACKGROUND

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit resulting from different cofactors. The alteration of the skin microbiome has recently been revealed to play a role in acne pathogenesis. Concerns with side effects of available systemic treatment for acne resulted in a greater focus on topical therapies, such as topical azelaic acid which showed to be an effective and safe treatment option for acne. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new treatment protocol for acne based on an oral supplement composed of biotin and 3 strains of lactic ferments combined with a topical gel composed of azelaic acid, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, and α-hydroxy acids.

METHODS

An Italian single-center interventional study was performed enrolling patients suffering from mild-to-moderate-acne. Patients were treated with a supplement based on biotin and 3 strains of lactic ferments, combined with a topical gel product (azelaic-acid, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, and α-hydroxy acids). All enrolled patients were scheduled for a total of 2 visits, a baseline visit (V0) and a follow-up visit after 60 days of treatment (V1).

RESULTS

A total of 30 patients were enrolled in the study. Between V0 (baseline) and V1 (60 days), there was a reduction of 37.4% in the GAGS Score, 40.7% in the SEBUTAPEtm Score, and 18% in the TEWL Score, and an increment of 44% in the T-Blue Test Score. No cases of serious AEs were reported in our experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirmed the promising therapeutic role of a probiotic supplement associated with topical therapy in the treatment of mild to moderate acne.

Short anagen syndrome: A case series and algorithm for diagnosis

BACKGROUND

The short anagen syndrome (SAS) is a rare idiopathic pediatric disorder characterized by the short duration of the anagen phase. SAS mainly affects Caucasian children. Parents complain of their child's inability to grow long hair. Topical minoxidil may be an effective treatment for SAS; however, a slow spontaneous improvement is typical.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to collect data on out cases of SAS and create an algorithm to facilitate diagnosis of SAS.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 25 patients with SAS was performed within the Dermatology Department of the University of Bologna. We collected data regarding symptoms, pull test, hair card test, trichoscopy, trichogram, treatments, including biotin and minoxidil, and clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Characteristic findings included parental reporting that the hair had not required a haircut, hair card test showing hairs with conical-shaped tips, and hair shafts of different diameters, with more 10%-20% of hair shafts less than 60 μm thick on trichoscopy. Trichogram revealed an increased percentage of telogen hair with normal hair shafts and tapering ends. The mean anagen-to-telogen ratio was 66:34 (normal ratio 90:10).

CONCLUSION

We developed an algorithm to facilitate the diagnosis of this rare hair disease using clinical examination and invasive and non-invasive testing to differentiate SAS from other forms of pediatric alopecia. In conclusion, the collected data of the therapy showed that biotin alone or in combination with topical minoxidil is an effective treatment for SAS.