Key clinical point: Children with atopic dermatitis (AD) had higher β-glucocerebrosidase (GBA) activity and glucosyl cholesterol (GlcChol) levels than healthy controls, depicting the role of inflammation in disturbed lipid processing; however, the levels decreased after treatment with topical corticosteroids (TCS).
Major finding: Baseline GBA activity ( P < .0001) and GlcChol ( P < .01) levels were higher in children with AD vs. healthy controls but decreased after a 6-week TCS therapy (both P < .01). GBA activity and GlcChol levels correlated with the levels of interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-18 ( P < .01 for all), and GlcChol levels were associated with disease severity ( P < .05).
Study details: The study cohort was derived from a larger study involving 100 children with AD, of which 22 children with AD were matched with 17 healthy controls and 19 children with AD with 9 healthy controls for analyzing GBA activity and GlcChol levels, respectively.
Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Source: Kezic S et al. Br J Dermatol. 2022 (Jan 7). Doi: 10.1111/bjd.20979.