Involvement of TRPV4 in temperature-dependent perspiration in mice.

Reports indicate that an interaction between TRPV4 and anoctamin 1 (ANO1) could be widely involved in water efflux of exocrine glands, suggesting that the interaction could play a role in perspiration. In secretory cells of sweat glands present in mouse foot pads, TRPV4 clearly colocalized with cytokeratin 8, ANO1, and aquaporin-5 (AQP5). Mouse sweat glands showed TRPV4-dependent cytosolic Ca2+ increases that were inhibited by menthol. Acetylcholine-stimulated sweating in foot pads was temperature-dependent in wild-type, but not in TRPV4-deficient mice and was inhibited by menthol both in wild-type and TRPM8KO mice. The basal sweating without acetylcholine stimulation was inhibited by an ANO1 inhibitor. Sweating could be important for maintaining friction forces in mouse foot pads, and this possibility is supported by the finding that wild-type mice climbed up a slippery slope more easily than TRPV4-deficient mice. Furthermore, TRPV4 expression was significantly higher in controls and normohidrotic skin from patients with acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis (AIGA) compared to anhidrotic skin from patients with AIGA. Collectively, TRPV4 is likely involved in temperature-dependent perspiration via interactions with ANO1, and TRPV4 itself or the TRPV4/ANO 1 complex would be targeted to develop agents that regulate perspiration.

Stress, spicy foods and elevated temperatures can all trigger specialized gland cells to move water to the skin ­ in other words, they can make us sweat. This process is one of the most important ways by which our bodies regulate their temperature and avoid life-threatening conditions such as heatstroke. Disorders in which this function is impaired, such as AIGA (acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis), pose significant health risks. Finding treatments for sweat-related diseases requires a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind sweating, which has yet to be achieved. Recent research has highlighted the role of two ion channels, TRPV4 and ANO1, in regulating fluid secretion in glands that produce tears and saliva. These gate-like proteins control how certain ions move in or out of cells, which also influences water movement. Once activated by external stimuli, TRPV4 allows calcium ions to enter the cell, causing ANO1 to open and chloride ions to leave. This results in water also exiting the cell through dedicated channels, before being collected in ducts connected to the outside of the body. TRPV4, which is activated by heat, is also present in human sweat gland cells. This prompted Kashio et al. to examine the role of these channels in sweat production, focusing on mice as well as AIGA patients. Probing TRPV4, ANO1 and AQP5 (a type of water channel) levels using fluorescent antibodies confirmed that these channels are all found in the same sweat gland cells in the foot pads of mice. Further experiments highlighted that TRPV4 mediates sweat production in these animals via ANO1 activation. As rodents do not regulate their body temperature by sweating, Kashio et al. explored the biological benefits of having sweaty paws. Mice lacking TRPV4 had reduced sweating and were less able to climb a slippery slope, suggesting that a layer of sweat helps improve traction. Finally, Kashio et al. compared samples obtained from healthy volunteers with those from AIGA patients and found that TRPV4 levels are lower in individuals affected by the disease. Overall, these findings reveal new insights into the underlying mechanisms of sweating, with TRPV4 a potential therapeutic target for conditions like AIGA. The results also suggest that sweating could be controlled by local changes in temperature detected by heat-sensing channels such as TRPV4. This would depart from our current understanding that sweating is solely controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions such as saliva and tear production.

Morphology of sweat glands in the skin of Saimaa (Pusa hispida saimensis) and Baltic ringed (Pusa hispida botnica) seals.

The endangered Saimaa ringed seal (Pusa hispida saimensis) is an endemic freshwater subspecies inhabiting Lake Saimaa in Finland. The Baltic ringed seal (Pusa hispida botnica) inhabits the brackish Baltic Sea, which is almost entirely landlocked. Recent research shows that Saimaa and Baltic ringed seals may be genetically even further apart from each other than from other ringed seal subspecies. We documented histologically the integument microstructure of Saimaa and Baltic ringed seals to determine whether the geographic and genetic isolation was manifested as variation in the integument microstructure of these subspecies adapted to icy aquatic environments. The skin structures of these subspecies were similar to those of other phocids. The association of the sweat glands with hair follicles in both subspecies suggested that they were small apocrine sweat glands described previously in terrestrial or aquatic mammals. None of the apocrine glands had large lumina, and some of the ducts were relatively straight and short. Further studies analysing the mode of secretion, for example, apocrine versus eccrine, in the sweat glands are necessary to confirm the types of sweat glands in seals.

Subclinical effects of botulinum toxin A and microwave thermolysis for axillary hyperhidrosis: A descriptive study with line-field confocal optical coherence tomography and histology.

Botulinum toxin A (BTX) and microwave thermolysis (MWT) are standard axillary hyperhidrosis treatments, but comparison of their subclinical effects is lacking. Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) is a promising non-invasive imaging tool for visualizing tissue-interactions. This study aimed to describe subclinical effects of BTX and MWT for axillary hyperhidrosis with LC-OCT-imaging compared to histology. This study derived from an intra-individual, randomized, controlled trial, treating axillary hyperhidrosis with BTX versus MWT. Subclinical effects based on LC-OCT images from baseline and 6-month follow-up (n = 8 patients) were evaluated and compared to corresponding histological samples. At baseline, LC-OCT visualized eccrine pores at the skin surface and ducts in the upper dermis (500 µm), but not deeper-lying sweat glands. Histology identified entire sweat glands. Six months post-treatment, LC-OCT revealed no detectable morphology changes in any BTX-treated axillae (100%), while recognizing obstructed eccrine pores and atrophy of eccrine ducts in most MWT-treated axillae (75%). Histology corroborated LC-OCT findings, while also showing substantial changes to entire sweat glands. LC-OCT enabled visualization of subclinical alterations of superficial eccrine ducts after MWT and unchanged morphology after BTX. LC-OCT is a promising tool for non-invasive assessment of treatment-specific tissue-interactions that can be complementary to histology.

The effect of female breast surface area on heat-activated sweat gland density and output.

Female development includes significant morphological changes across the breast. Yet, whether differences in breast surface area (BrSA) modify sweat gland density and output remains unclear. The present study investigated the relationship between BrSA and sweat gland density and output in 22 young to middle-aged women (28 ± $\ \pm \ $ 10 years) of varying breast sizes (BrSA range: 147-561 cm2) during a submaximal run in a warm environment (32  ± $ \pm \ $ 0.6°C; 53  ± $ \pm \ $ 1.7% relative humidity). Local sweat gland density and local sweat rate (LSR) above and below the nipple and at the bra triangle were measured. Expired gases were monitored for the estimation of evaporative requirements for heat balance (Ereq, in W/m2). Associations between BrSA and (i) sweat gland density; (ii) LSR; and (iii) sweat output per gland for the breast sites were determined via correlation and regression analyses. Our results indicated that breast sweat gland density decreased linearly as BrSA increased (r = -0.76, P < 0.001), whereas sweat output per gland remained constant irrespective of BrSA (r = 0.29, P = 0.28). This resulted in LSR decreasing linearly as BrSA increased (r = -0.62, P = 0.01). Compared to the bra triangle, the breast had a 64% lower sweat gland density (P < 0.001), 83% lower LSR (P < 0.001) and 53% lower output per gland (P < 0.001). BrSA (R2 = 0.33, P = 0.015) explained a greater proportion of variance in LSR than Ereq (in W/m2) (R2 = 0.07, P = 0.538). These novel findings extend the known relationship between body morphology and sweat gland density and LSR, to the female breast. This knowledge could innovate user-centred design of sports bras by accommodating breast size-specific needs for sweat management, skin wetness perception and comfort.

Altered Sweat Composition Due to Changes in Tight Junction Expression of Sweat Glands in Cholinergic Urticaria Patients.

In cholinergic urticaria (CholU), small, itchy wheals are induced by exercise or passive warming and reduced sweating has been reported. Despite the described reduced muscarinic receptor expression, sweat duct obstruction, or sweat allergy, the underlying pathomechanisms are not well understood. To gain further insights, we collected skin biopsies before and after pulse-controlled ergometry and sweat after sauna provocation from CholU patients as well as healthy controls. CholU patients displayed partially severely reduced local sweating, yet total sweat volume was unaltered. However, sweat electrolyte composition was altered, with increased K+ concentration in CholU patients. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsies were stained to explore sweat leakage and tight junction protein expression. Dermcidin staining was not found outside the sweat glands. In the secretory coils of sweat glands, the distribution of claudin-3 and -10b as well as occludin was altered, but the zonula occludens-1 location was unchanged. In all, dermcidin and tight junction protein staining suggests an intact barrier with reduced sweat production capability in CholU patients. For future studies, an ex vivo skin model for quantification of sweat secretion was established, in which sweat secretion could be pharmacologically stimulated or blocked. This ex vivo model will be used to further investigate sweat gland function in CholU patients and decipher the underlying pathomechanism(s).

Characterization of age-associated gene expression changes in mouse sweat glands.

Evaporation of sweat on the skin surface is the major mechanism for dissipating heat in humans. The secretory capacity of sweat glands (SWGs) declines during aging, leading to heat intolerance in the elderly, but the mechanisms responsible for this decline are poorly understood. We investigated the molecular changes accompanying SWG aging in mice, where sweat tests confirmed a significant reduction of active SWGs in old mice relative to young mice. We first identified SWG-enriched mRNAs by comparing the skin transcriptome of Eda mutant Tabby male mice, which lack SWGs, with that of wild-type control mice by RNA-sequencing analysis. This comparison revealed 171 mRNAs enriched in SWGs, including 47 mRNAs encoding 'core secretory' proteins such as transcription factors, ion channels, ion transporters, and trans-synaptic signaling proteins. Among these, 28 SWG-enriched mRNAs showed significantly altered abundance in the aged male footpad skin, and 11 of them, including Foxa1, Best2, Chrm3, and Foxc1 mRNAs, were found in the 'core secretory' category. Consistent with the changes in mRNA expression levels, immunohistology revealed that higher numbers of secretory cells from old SWGs express the transcription factor FOXC1, the protein product of Foxc1 mRNA. In sum, our study identified mRNAs enriched in SWGs, including those that encode core secretory proteins, and altered abundance of these mRNAs and proteins with aging in mouse SWGs.

Blunted sudomotor reactivity in fibromyalgia is associated with levels of depression.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of sudomotor function by distal electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) can provide an index of peripheral neuropathy. This study explored ESC in fibromyalgia (FM) patients, controlling for tricyclic antidepressant use and body mass index, and its association with the clinical severity of the disease. METHODS: ESC, clinical symptoms and an index of central pain sensitisation derived from pressure algometry were explored in thirty-three fibromyalgia patients and 33 healthy women. RESULTS: ESC was significantly lower in fibromyalgia patients than healthy participants. About 51% of patients exhibited moderate-to-severe ESC dysfunction, indicative of possible neuropathy. However, ESC was not related to any indicators of clinical severity, nor to algometry. ESC only correlated with depression levels; the group differences in ESC disappeared after controlling for depression. Finally, ESC was asymmetric in the overall sample, with lower values seen in the right hand relative to the left one. CONCLUSIONS: The greater prevalence of sudomotor dysfunction in fibromyalgia patients is consistent with the presence of neuropathy in subgroups of patients, and with the basic heterogeneity of the disorder. However, neuropathy does not appear helpful for determining the clinical features of the disorders, or the level of central sensitisation measured by pressure algometry. Future studies including patients with fibromyalgia suffering and not suffering from depression as well as patients with depression but free from chronic pain, are required to identify the role of depression in the observed low ESC levels.

A comparative study of passive drug diffusion through human skin via intercellular and sweat duct route: effect of aging.

A method of drug delivery that could provide control over medicine reaching the bloodstream for systemic circulation would be of immense importance. This work presents a comparative study of the temporal and spatial variation of drugs diffusing passively through two separate routes of human skin, namely intercellular (ICR) and sweat duct route (SDR). An analysis is carried out for two age groups (young < 40 years and old > 60 years of age). Governing equations based on Fick's law for mass transfer have been solved numerically using an in-house developed code. The code has been validated thoroughly with numerical and experimental work from the literature. Each skin route is modeled into three compartments sandwiched between the donor and receiver compartments. To understand the role of diffusion and partition coefficient on drug permeation, four drugs, namely hydrocortisone, trans-cinnamic acid, caffeine, and benzoic acid, are considered. The drug diffusion rate is found greater through ICR as compared to SDR. Further, the amount of drugs diffusing through both routes increases with age. Desirable drug characteristic is inferred to be a lower value of partition coefficient and a higher value of diffusion coefficient. This study could lead to real-time assessment of drugs reaching the bloodstream and beyond.

Involvement of aquaporin 5 and Na-K-2Cl cotransporter 1 in the pathogenesis of primary focal hyperhidrosis: evidence from the primary sweat gland cell culture.

People with primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFH) usually have an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which can activate the sweat glands through the chemical messenger of acetylcholine. The role of aquaporin 5 (AQP5) and Na-K-2Cl cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) in PFH is still unknown. The relative mRNA and protein levels of AQP5 and NKCC1 in the sweat gland tissues of three subtypes of patients with PFH (primary palmar hyperhidrosis, PPH; primary axillary hyperhidrosis, PAH; and primary craniofacial hyperhidrosis, PCH) were detected with real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot. Primary sweat gland cells from healthy controls (NPFH-SG) were incubated with different concentrations of acetylcholine, and the relative mRNA and protein expression of AQP5 and NKCC1 were also detected. NPFH-SG cells were also transfected with si-AQP5 or shNKCC1, and acetylcholine stimulation-induced calcium transients were assayed with Fluo-3 AM calcium assay. Upregulated AQP5 and NKCC1 expression were observed in sweat gland tissues, and AQP5 demonstrated a positive Pearson correlation with NKCC1 in patients with PPH (r = 0.66, P < 0.001), patients with PAH (r = 0.71, P < 0.001), and patients with PCH (r = 0.62, P < 0.001). Upregulated AQP5 and NKCC1 expression were also detected in primary sweat gland cells derived from three subtypes of patients with PFH when compared with primary sweat gland cells derived from healthy control. Acetylcholine stimulation could induce the upregulated AQP5 and NKCC1 expression in NPFH-SG cells, and AQP5 or NKCC1 inhibitions attenuated the calcium transients induced by acetylcholine stimulation in NPFH-SG cells. The dependence of ACh-stimulated calcium transients on AQP5 and NKCC1 expression may be involved in the development of PFH.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The dependence of ACh-stimulated calcium transients on AQP5 and Na-K-2Cl cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) expression may be involved in the development of primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFH).

Cutaneous Horn Presentation in Porokeratotic Eccrine Ostial and Dermal Duct Nevus. A Brief Review and Case Report.

ABSTRACT: Porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct nevus is a rare adnexal hamartoma characterized by the presence of a cornoid lamella exclusively overlying eccrine acrosyringia. Different clinical presentations have been reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct nevus confirmed by histopathologic study. Atypical lesions are described as whitish, warty-looking neoformations located in the anterolateral region of the right hip (cutaneous horn).

Treatment of Palmar Hyperhidrosis With Radiofrequency Microneedling-Based on Ultrasound Measurements.

This study addresses the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis, which has been difficult to manage. A new treatment has been developed using radiofrequency microneedling to reduce sweating non-surgically by ablating sweat glands. Based on ultrasound measurements of the dermis and precise microneedling damage, effective energy was applied to locate the sweat glands and disabled their function. Radiofrequency microneedling with ultrasound can safely and effectively treat hyperhidrosis in a minimally invasive way.

Super-resolution algorithm for the characterization of sweat glands in fingerprint OCT images.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive optical imaging technique that can be used to produce three-dimensional images of fingerprints. However, the low quality and poor resolution of the regions of interest (ROIs) in OCT images make it challenging to segment small tissues accurately. To address this issue, a super-resolution (SR) network called ESRNet has been developed to enhance the quality of OCT images, facilitating their applications in research. Firstly, the performance of the SR images produced by ESRNet is evaluated by comparing it to those generated by five other SR methods. Specifically, the SR performance is evaluated using three upscale factors (2×, 3×, and 4×) to assess the quality of the enhanced images. Based on the results obtained from the three datasets, it is evident that ESRNet outperforms current advanced networks in terms of SR performance. Furthermore, the segmentation accuracy of sweat glands has been significantly improved by the SR images. The number of sweat glands in the top view increased from 102 to 117, further substantiating the performance of the ESRNet network. The spiral structure of sweat glands is clear to human eyes and has been verified by showing similar left-right-handed spiral numbers. Finally, a sweat gland recognition method for the SR 3D images is proposed.

Botulinum toxin A dissolving microneedles for hyperhidrosis treatment: design, formulation and in vivo evaluation.

Multiple periodic injections of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) are the standard treatment of hyperhidrosis which causes excessive sweating. However, BTX-A injections can create problems, including incorrect and painful injections, the risk of drug entry into the bloodstream, the need for medical expertise, and waste disposal problems. New drug delivery systems can substantially reduce these problems. Transdermal delivery is an effective alternative to conventional BTX-A injections. However, BTX-A's large molecular size and susceptibility to degradation complicate transdermal delivery. Dissolving microneedle patches (DMNPs) encapsulated with BTX-A (BTX-A/DMNPs) are a promising solution that can penetrate the dermis painlessly and provide localized translocation of BTX-A. In this study, using high-precision 3D laser lithography and subsequent molding, DMNPs were prepared based on a combination of biocompatible polyvinylpyrrolidone and hyaluronic acid polymers to deliver BTX-A with ultra-sharp needle tips of 1.5 ± 0.5 µm. Mechanical, morphological and histological assessments of the prepared DMNPs were performed to optimize their physicochemical properties. Furthermore, the BTX-A release and diffusion kinetics across the skin layers were investigated. A COMSOL simulation was conducted to study the diffusion process. The primary stability analysis reported significant stability for three months. Finally, the functionality of the BTX-A/DMNPs for the suppression of sweat glands was confirmed on the hyperhidrosis mouse footpad, which drastically reduced sweat gland activity. The results demonstrate that these engineered DMNPs can be an effective, painless, inexpensive alternative to hypodermic injections when treating hyperhidrosis.

Endocrine Mucin-Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma and Primary Cutaneous Mucinous Carcinoma: A Case Series.

Endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma (EMPSGC) and primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) are rare low-grade neoplasms thought to arise from apocrine glands that share many histological features and are proposed to be on a single histopathologic continuum, with EMPSGC as the in situ form that may progress to the invasive PCMC. Management involves a metastatic workup and either wide local excision (WLE) with greater than 5 mm margins or Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in anatomically sensitive areas. We present 2 cases of EMPSGC and 3 cases of PCMC and review their clinical and histopathologic features, differential diagnoses, and treatment.