Original Article
Clinical Research: Therapeutics
A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial Shows the Role of Zonal Priming and Direct Topical Application of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate in the Modulation of Cutaneous Scarring in Human Skin

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2019.01.030Get rights and content
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Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol, influences cutaneous wound healing because of its antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. We previously showed the role of EGCG in scarring in ex vivo human scar models. Here, we evaluate direct application of topical EGCG compared with zonal priming, a unique concept in the immediate treatment of the zone of injury at the time of wounding before scar formation.

Trial design: Double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Methods: We assessed EGCG application compared with placebo over 1–6 weeks in scars created in 62 human volunteers using quantitative noninvasive devices, immunohistochemical analysis, mRNA sequencing, and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase–PCR of tissue biopsy samples.

Results: EGCG reduced mast cells at weeks 1–3, as evidenced by gene and protein analyses (P ≤ 0.01). M2 macrophages were increased with EGCG compared with placebo. EGCG application by zonal priming significantly down-regulated VEGFA and CD31 at week 1 and at 1–2 weeks after direct application (P ≤ 0.01). Direct EGCG application also reduced scar thickness at weeks 1–3 (P = 0.001) and increased scar elasticity at week 4 (P = 0.01). Increased hydration was evident both noninvasively and by increased hyaluronic acid levels (P < 0.01) at week 3.

Conclusions: We show the beneficial role of both zonal priming and direct EGCG application in scar therapy with positive effects on scar thickness, erythema, hydration, and elasticity.

Trial register: International standard randomized controlled trial, registration number ISRCTN 18643079; July 16, 2018.

Abbreviations

EGCG
epigallocatechin gallate
MC
mast cell
MCC
mast cell chymase
MCT
mast cell tryptase
qRT-PCR
quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase–PCR

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