ArticleLipids in health and disease2024
Comparative study of melasma in patients before and after treatment based on lipomics.
Article in Lipids in health and disease, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Identification of Hub genes in melasma using integrated transcriptomic analysis.Bioinformation · 2026Article
- Lipid metabolism dysregulation in solar lentigo: a multi-system-level analysis reveals membrane instability and energy homeostasis disruption.Frontiers in cell and developmental biology · 2026Article
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Treatments on Melasma Area Severity Index and Quality of Life.Pharmaceutics · 2025Review
- Recent advances in gene delivery for melanocyte-associated disorders.Advanced drug delivery reviews · 2025Review
- Lipidome Complexity in Physiological and Pathological Skin Pigmentation.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Review
- Review of Applications of Microneedling in Melasma.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundSkin barrier alterations play a crucial function in melasma development. Past researches have demonstrated variations in lipid content between the epidermis of melasma lesions and normal tissues, along with the varied expression of lipid-related genes in melasma. This study aimed to analyze the lipidome profiles of skin surface lipids (SSL) in patients with melasma before and after treatment to understand associated abnormalities.
methodsMelasma was treated with tranexamic acid orally and hydroquinone cream topically. Disease was assessed using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI), and the impact to life was evaluated with Melasma Quality of Life (MELASQoL) score. Epidermal melanin particles were observed using reflection confocal microscopy (RCM), whereas epidermal pigment and blood vessel morphology were observed using dermoscopy, and SSL samples were collected. Specific information regarding alterations in lipid composition was obtained through multivariate analysis of the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry data.
resultsAfter treatment, patients with melasma exhibited decreased MASI and MELASQoL scores (P < 0.001); RCM revealed reduced melanin content in the lesions, and dermoscopy revealed fewer blood vessels. Fifteen lipid subclasses and 382 lipid molecules were identified using lipidomic assays. The expression levels of total lipids, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine in the melasma lesions decreased after treatment (P < 0.05).
conclusionThis study revealed alterations in the SSL composition after effective melasma treatment, suggesting a compensatory role for lipids in melasma barrier function. The mechanism involving SSL and the lipid barrier, which influences melasma's occurrence, needs further elucidation.
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