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The effects of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on human skin have been studied extensively by many investigators for about 50years. Interest in the response of [...]

Irritant dermatitis of the genital skin has not been well studied, yet it may contribute significantly to certain disorders. To improve understanding of genital skin sensitivity, the effects of the detergent sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) on vulvar and forearm skin were evaluated in 10 premenopausal and 10 postmenopausal women. Skin irritation was measured visually, by water loss across the skin barrier, and by capacitance, a measure of moisture in the skin. Visual scores of skin irritation did not differ when three doses of different concentrations of SLS were used. Reactivity to the highest dose was observed in the vulva in only half of each group; reactivity in the forearm was seen in 6 of 10 of postmenopausal, and in 8 of 10 of premenopausal women. None of these differences were significant. Changes in water loss and capacitance were complex. Water loss, indicating irritation, increased in the forearm, but not vulva of both groups. Capacitance was a more sensitive measure of irritation, as it more consistently decreased following application of SLS. This occurred in vulvar, but not forearm skin, of both groups of women and was not dose-related. Irritation measured by water loss was greater in vulvar than in forearm skin, but was not dose-related. Reactions of postmenopausal women were less frequent and slower than premenopausal women for forearm, but not vulvar, skin. The reason for the different reactions of the two skin types is not yet known. The study suggests that vulvar reactivity is not higher than that of the forearm for SLS, but further research is still needed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sodium Lauryl SulfateWashing Away the HIV Virus Abstract & commentary Source: Poster presentations at the 40th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobials and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) and interviews with Jocelyne Piret, PhD, and [...]

Antibodies are specialized proteins that bind and inactivate foreign particles, but may also attack body tissues and natural factors under abnormal conditions. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a long-term inflammatory disease of connective tissue, is associated with the production of antibodies against double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA), the genetic material of the cell. Because anti-dsDNA antibodies may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, the removal of these antibodies from the circulation may serve as a treatment for this disease. Plasmapheresis (a procedure of involving the removal and separation of blood components from the body) can be used to remove anti-dsDNA antibodies. However, this procedure is not selective for anti-dsDNA antibodies, and because a plasma substitute may be necessary, viral infections including hepatitis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome may result. Anti-dsDNA antibodies can react with negatively-charged molecules such as dextran sulphate, which is used in the treatment of familial hyperlipidemia (high blood fat levels). Dextran sulphate was shown to be selective, efficient, and safe for removing anti-dsDNA antibodies from the circulation of a SLE patient. Anti-dsDNA antibodies interact with the negatively-charged molecules of dextran sulphate. This method of immunoadsorption with dextran to remove anti-dsDNA antibodies may be used as a treatment for SLE, and also provides information about the disease process. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)