Zinc Sulfate in the Treatment of Rosacea: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Summary

Rosacea is a common chronic dermatological condition, characterized by recurrent or persistent redness, permanent dilation of small blood vessel causing small red lesions, and papules/pustules. The signs of rosacea are usually confined to the face, but may appear on the neck, scalp or trunk. Opthalmologic findings are also common. Rosacea is usually described as being most common in fair skinned women over 40. The purpose of the study is to determine whether oral Zinc Sulfate treatment is an effective treatment for facial rosacea.

Timeline

Start

2006-07

Primary completion

2008-07

Completion

2008-07

Publications

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• Background Millikan L. The proposed inflammatory pathophysiology of rosacea: implications for treatment. Skinmed. 2003 Jan-Feb;2(1):43-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-9740.2003.01876.x.
• Background Wilkin JK. Rosacea. Pathophysiology and treatment. Arch Dermatol. 1994 Mar;130(3):359-62. doi: 10.1001/archderm.130.3.359. No abstract available.
• Background Thiboutot DM. Acne and rosacea. New and emerging therapies. Dermatol Clin. 2000 Jan;18(1):63-71, viii. doi: 10.1016/s0733-8635(05)70147-9.
• Background Bikowski JB.Del Rosso JQ, Goldberg DJ, Margolis DJ, Van Zuuren EJ, Wolf JE. Future Trends in the Treatment of Rosacea. Cutis. 2005;75(Suppl 3):33-36
• Background Tuleya S. Research Highlights: Acne and Rosacea Treatments. Skin and Agining.2003;11(8):70-72.
• Background Fraker PJ, King LE. Reprogramming of the immune system during zinc deficiency. Annu Rev Nutr. 2004;24:277-98. doi: 10.1146/annurev.nutr.24.012003.132454.
• Background Fraker PJ, King LE, Laakko T, Vollmer TL. The dynamic link between the integrity of the immune system and zinc status. J Nutr. 2000 May;130(5S Suppl):1399S-406S. doi: 10.1093/jn/130.5.1399S.
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• Background ___.What's New about Zinc. UC Berkeley Wellness Letter. 2004:130:1344S-1349S.
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• Background Irving JA, Mattman A, Lockitch G, Farrell K, Wadsworth LD. Element of caution: a case of reversible cytopenias associated with excessive zinc supplementation. CMAJ. 2003 Jul 22;169(2):129-31.
• Background Chandra RK. Excessive intake of zinc impairs immune responses. JAMA. 1984 Sep 21;252(11):1443-6.
• Background Barceloux DG. Zinc. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1999;37(2):279-92. doi: 10.1081/clt-100102426.
• Background Schosinsky KH, Lehmann HP, Beeler MF. Measurement of ceruloplasmin from its oxidase activity in serum by use of o-dianisidine dihydrochloride. Clin Chem. 1974 Dec;20(12):1556-63. No abstract available.
• Background West EC, Prohaska JR. Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase is lower and copper chaperone CCS is higher in erythrocytes of copper-deficient rats and mice. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2004 Sep;229(8):756-64. doi: 10.1177/153537020422900807.
• Background Dreno B, Amblard P, Agache P, Sirot S, Litoux P. Low doses of zinc gluconate for inflammatory acne. Acta Derm Venereol. 1989;69(6):541-3.
• Background Dreno B, Moyse D, Alirezai M, Amblard P, Auffret N, Beylot C, Bodokh I, Chivot M, Daniel F, Humbert P, Meynadier J, Poli F; Acne Research and Study Group. Multicenter randomized comparative double-blind controlled clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of zinc gluconate versus minocycline hydrochloride in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. Dermatology. 2001;203(2):135-40. doi: 10.1159/000051728.
• Background Chu A, Huber FJ, Plott RT. The comparative efficacy of benzoyl peroxide 5%/erythromycin 3% gel and erythromycin 4%/zinc 1.2% solution in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol. 1997 Feb;136(2):235-8.
• Background Meynadier J. Efficacy and safety study of two zinc gluconate regimens in the treatment of inflammatory acne. Eur J Dermatol. 2000 Jun;10(4):269-73.
• Background Schachner L, Eaglstein W, Kittles C, Mertz P. Topical erythromycin and zinc therapy for acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990 Feb;22(2 Pt 1):253-60. doi: 10.1016/0190-9622(90)70034-f.
• Background Verma KC, Saini AS, Dhamija SK. Oral zinc sulphate therapy in acne vulgaris: a double-blind trial. Acta Derm Venereol. 1980;60(4):337-40. doi: 10.2340/0001555560337340.
• Background Al-Gurairi FT, Al-Waiz M, Sharquie KE. Oral zinc sulphate in the treatment of recalcitrant viral warts: randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Br J Dermatol. 2002 Mar;146(3):423-31. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04617.x.
• Background Sharquie KE, Najim RA, Farjou IB, Al-Timimi DJ. Oral zinc sulphate in the treatment of acute cutaneous leishmaniasis. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2001 Jan;26(1):21-6. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2230.2001.00752.x.
• Background Berne B, Venge P, Ohman S. Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens (Hoffman). Complete healing associated with oral zinc therapy. Arch Dermatol. 1985 Aug;121(8):1028-30.
• Background Rostan EF, DeBuys HV, Madey DL, Pinnell SR. Evidence supporting zinc as an important antioxidant for skin. Int J Dermatol. 2002 Sep;41(9):606-11. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2002.01567.x.
• Background Dreno B, Trossaert M, Boiteau HL, Litoux P. Zinc salts effects on granulocyte zinc concentration and chemotaxis in acne patients. Acta Derm Venereol. 1992 Aug;72(4):250-2.
• Background Wilkin J, Dahl M, Detmar M, Drake L, Liang MH, Odom R, Powell F; National Rosacea Society Expert Committee. Standard grading system for rosacea: report of the National Rosacea Society Expert Committee on the classification and staging of rosacea. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 Jun;50(6):907-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2004.01.048. No abstract available.

Drugs

Indications