Background/Aims: There is no treatment, without side effects, efficiently preventing or curing skin burns, caused by radiotherapy. A new experimental topical treatment protocol was assessed in mice receiving orthovoltage X-rays at an equivalent dose to that applied to human breast cancer patients in conventional radiotherapy. Methods: SKH-HR2 female hairless mice were irradiated on their dorsum with a total dose of 4,300 cGy during a 1-month period (20 fractions). The treatment group received a combination of 3 topical products, an oil-in-water cream, a gel containing Pinus halepensis bark aqueous extract, and an ointment containing olive oil extract of the marine isopod Ceratothoa oestroides. The positive control group was treated with a conventionally used commercial gel, whereas the negative control group did not receive any topical treatment. Skin alterations were evaluated by macroscopic examinations, measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin content, erythema intensity, hydration, and histopathology assessment. Results: Sixty days after radiation, TEWL and hydration values were abnormal and elements of acute, chronic, and granulomatous inflammation were present in all cases. The severest damage was detected in the deeper dermis. Treatment showed a comparatively beneficial effect on chronic and granulomatous inflammation while positive control was beneficial on acute inflammation. Conclusion: Skin anti-inflammatory treatment was the most effective but must be applied for several months. Further preclinical studies should be conducted, assimilating a human cancer radiation therapeutic schema with the aim of optimizing skin inflammation treatment.

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Inhaled tobacco smoke comes in direct contact with few organs such as mouth, lungs, and stomach. Cigarette smoke (CS) in lungs has been extensively studied. However, limited data exist on its effect on skin, and there are no long-term experimental studies suggesting toxic effects on skin. Even though it is generally accepted that CS is among the main factors of skin aging, the number of experimental studies showing this aging effect is limited. We hereby studied the effect of long-term exposure to CS on the skin of hairless mice in combination with or without ultraviolet (UV) light. In addition, we investigated potential skin protection by a potent antioxidant namely procyanidine-rich French maritime pine bark extract (PBE) pycnogenol. Male and female hairless SKH-2 mice were exposed for 10 months to tobacco smoke and/or UV light in vivo, and their effects on skin were investigated. Some biophysical parameters such as development of erythema, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin elasticity were measured. The results show that UV and CS may be acting synergistically, as shown by the enhanced TEWL, erythema values, epitheliomas, and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) observed, whereas PBE seems to protect skin against SCC.