Effect of a Precision Cryotherapy Device with Temperature Adjustability on Pigmentation

Mi Hee Kwack; Seongjin Lee; Eun Hye Lee; Gi Ung Ha; Gun-Ho Kim; Weon Ju Lee

doi:10.4103/ijd.ijd_755_21

Effect of a Precision Cryotherapy Device with Temperature Adjustability on Pigmentation

Indian J Dermatol. 2022 Mar-Apr;67(2):204. doi: 10.4103/ijd.ijd_755_21.

Authors

Mi Hee Kwack^{1

2}, Seongjin Lee³, Eun Hye Lee⁴, Gi Ung Ha⁴, Gun-Ho Kim³, Weon Ju Lee⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
² BK21 FOUR KNU Convergence Educational Program of Biomedical Sciences for Creative Future Talents, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
³ Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea.
⁴ Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea.

Abstract

Background: Pigmentary skin disorders impair the quality of life, leading to the development of therapeutic modalities. However, these treatments should focus more on effectiveness and safety.

Aims and objectives: To evaluate the effect of a temperature-adjustable cryotherapy device on the expression of pigmentation-related biomarkers.

Methods and results: A temperature- and time-adjustable cryotherapy device was employed to improve 200 mJ UVB-induced pigmentation on mice at -5°C (for 5, 10 or 20 s), 0°C (for 5, 10 or 20 s), 5°C (for 5, 10 or 20 s), or 10°C (for 5, 10 or 20 s). Expression of pigmentation-related biomarkers, such as tyrosinase, c-kit, melanocortin 1 receptor and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor before and after treatment with the cryotherapy device was investigated with real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.

Results: Expression of pigmentation-related biomarkers was decreased after the treatment of the temperature-adjustable cryotherapy device. Gene expression of the pigmentation-related biomarkers was decreased under the above conditions with some exception. Protein expression of the pigmentation-related biomarkers showed decreased tendency under the conditions with some exceptions.

Conclusion: The temperature-adjustable cryotherapy device used in this study reduced the expression of pigmentation-related biomarkers on mice and may be used to treat patients with skin pigmentation.

Keywords: Cryotherapy device; UVB; pigmentation.