Cutaneous complications are common in diabetes, with approximately 30% of patients experiencing some skin involvement during the course of their illness and these may also be an early indicator of undiagnosed diabetes[
1]. In particular xerosis is a common skin disorder frequently observed in diabetic patients[
2]. Skin xerosis and callous formation could be risk factors for diabetic ulcers developing[
3]. An effective hydration of foot skin in diabetics is a relevant preventive strategy in order to maintain a healthy foot[
4]. Emollient and moisturizer topical products are efficacious in repairing the epidermal barrier function and in ameliorating xerosis[
5]. However few studies have been conducted in diabetic patients assessing wheter this treatment can help correct alterations in functional and mechanical properties of diabetic skin. Urea is considered an effective hydrating and emollient topical product[
6]. Recent experimental data performed in human keratinocytes suggest that urea is not a simple emollient compound but it is able to improve cell differentiation increasing gene expression of transglutaminase, filaggrin, aquaporin, and loricrin, therefore improving keratinocytes differentiation[
7]. Arginine is an important substrate for Nitric Oxide formation[
8]. In diabetic skin a deficit in NO production has been demonstrated[
9]. This reduction could be due to an enhanced arginine consumption linked to high arginase enzymatic activity[
10]. Carnosine is able to interfere with advanced glycosylated end-products formation[
11]. This action has been also demonstrated for urea[
12]. Recently a topical cream product containing urea 5%, arginine and carnosine has been developed (Ureadin Rx Db, Isdin Spain). This formulation, from a theoretical point of view, is an interesting topical product with a composition particularly suitable for the specific treatment of the xerotic skin in diabetic patients. However, so far, not controlled clinical data are available particular with a head-to-head comparison design with standard topical emollient treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical urea
(Ureadin Rx Db, ISDIN) containing also arginine and carnosine, in comparison with glycerol-based (15%) emollient topical product containing also vaseline (8%)
(Dexeryl, Pierre Fabre ) in the treatment of xerotic skin in Type 2 diabetic patients.