collagen question, please

[prryjones]

Hi Dr. Nase,
A theoretical question here...
If I understand correctly, rosacea skin is typically thin due to collagen deficiency.
Concerning the pathogenesis of rosacea, any thoughts to the idea that neovascularization is secondary to, and in response to, this collagen deficiency?
Could the body be trying to compensate for the deficiency(at least in part) with increased vascularization?
Thanks
Perry
ps how many valid studies does it generally take before the conclusions are accepted as fact by the scientific community?

[drnase]

Hello Perry,

Collagen deficiency is definitely not a problem. The problem lies with the first three cell layers of the epidermis responsible for laying the epidermis down with tight, thick keratinocytes. They are not able to because of the vascular inflammation right below them. So, there are wide gaps, incomplete keratinocyte formation and no "mortar" between the cells. In addition, the inflammation reduces the overall number of cell layers produced. If there are 30 cell layers in the epidermis of normal subjects, many rosacea sufferers may only have half that number.

In medicine and science, it takes 7 double-blind placebo controlled studies with more than 20 subjects to make it semi-official. Nothing in science or medicine is ever a fact because we dont know 99% of what is truly happening in the body.

[RedHotCanuck]

What in the world is a double-blind placebo? I thought being blind was hard enough .. ?? :?

Seriously, I really don't know.

[JonathanGamache]

What in the world is a double-blind placebo? I thought being blind was hard enough .. ?? :?

Seriously, I really don't know.

http://allergies.about.com/library/blificmsgmyth13.htm

jonathan.

[drnase]

Good link Jonathan.