This study will be conducted to observe any change in aerobic bacterial pattern on the skin of arsenicosis patients before and after administration of vitamin E (200 IU) capsules.
Arsenicosis has emerged as one of the main and hazardous public health problem in Bangladesh. Melanosis and keratosis are the most common manifestations of arsenicosis. The exact mechanism of development of keratosis is not clear. With chronic ingestion of arsenic contaminated water the excretion of arsenic through skin increases and also the oxidative stress, which in turn cause cellular damage. These changes may influence the growth of normal bacteria and consistency of skin, which may be responsible for keratosis. In different study results shown that, vitamin E, a potential antioxidant that halts lipid peroxidation and maintains cell membrane integrity, also detoxified arsenic from the body. Normal skin bacteria mainly composed of Gram +ve bacteria. In arsenicosis, this pattern changes from Gram +ve bacteria to Gram -ve bacteria. Still now no study have been conducted to see, the effect of vitamin E on skin bacteria in arsenicosis, as skin bacteria changes. Therefore, this study will be conducted to observe any change in aerobic bacterial pattern on the skin of arsenicosis before and after administration of vitamin E capsules. Fifteen patients with skin manifestations, 15 arsenic exposed control, 15 healthy volunteers will be recruited on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. They will be provide vitamin E capsules 200 IU twice daily for 12 weeks without any interruption. Water and nail samples will be collected for confirming the diagnosis. Skin samples will be collected two times (before and after giving vitamin E) for qualitative analysis of bacteria. All the patients, arsenic exposed controls and healthy subjects will be provided with same capsule in same dosage schedule. So, this study will find any change of skin bacteria pattern after administrating vitamin E capsule.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
45
Capsules will be distributed to each participant free of cost
Muradnagar Health Complex
Comilla, Bangladesh
Identification of aerobic bacteria in five areas of the skin
Change in Number of aerobic bacteria in five areas (palm, dorsum of the hand, front of the chest, axilla and nare) of the skin of patients in comparison to arsenic exposed controls and healthy volunteers after 12 weeks of supplementation with vitamin E
Time frame: 0 weeks (baseline), 12 weeks (end)
Clinical improvement in palmar arsenical keratosis following supplementation
There will be improvement of moderate palmar arsenical keratosis following supplementation with vitamin E
Time frame: 0 weeks (baseline), 12 weeks (end)
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