Microbiology Prof. Jay Fox says he thinks he's found a treatment for psoriasis. It's inside a fish intestine.
Fox, with the help of fellow researchers in Iceland, has developed a new skin treatment using the enzymes of the intestines of an Atlantic codfish. The team, in an expedition over Iceland's coastal waters, searched for ways to use one of Iceland's most valuable resources-its fish. They began with krill, but came up unsuccessful.
Then they turned to the common Atlantic cod. Their findings were exciting.
Mainly, the Iceland researchers and Fox have found topical uses-that is, treatments for the skin. Though it has neither gone through stringent clinical trials nor gotten FDA approval, Fox is certain his fish ointment is useful for psoriasis sufferers, who number about 4 to 5 million Americans.
"Those who've used this get the same benefit as those on the standard treatments. But it's not nasty, it's not smelly, and it's easy to use," Fox said.
Currently, the treatment, which comes in either a gel or lotion ointment, is marketed in Iceland as a treatment for psoriasis. But because of its ability to shed dead skin, it won't be surprising if it were marketed in the U.S. as an exfoliant, or wrinkle removing lotion, at your local Estee Lauder counter. Contact has been made with the cosmetics manufacturer to possibly manufacture exfoliants with this secret ingredient. Still, Fox says he's hesitant to say it works for this purpose.
According to Fox, scientific literature supports the enzymes in wound healing because they have been known to assist in tissue debridement, the natural shedding of unhealthy tissue.
Psoriasis is a persistent skin disease characterized by scaly red patches on elbows or knees, said Scott Vanloock, dermatology resident at the University Hospital.
Sufferers have plenty of treatments on the market, but not all are pleasant or helpful. Topical ointments applied to the skin are the most commonly prescribed products for psoriasis. In more severe cases, Vanloock would suggest tar compounds, steroids or light therapy.
Although there is no known cure, current treatments have been effective, he said.
Vanloock, who never had heard of Fox's cod ointment, chuckled at the thought of using fish intestine enzymes to treat the skin malady.
"It sounds like some herbal or homeopathic treatment, sort of like using shark cartilage for arthritis. It's unproven," he said.
Dermatology Chair Kenneth Greer concurred.
"Fish intestine? Never heard of it," he said.
Because the experimentation is based in Europe and marketed as a "natural marine product," Vanloock says this may appeal to the person looking for some exotic and exciting cure-all. But he says this may give the false impression that it's effective when it really hasn't been tested or FDA approved.
Still, users of the experimental ointment verify Fox's claims that it can treat psoriasis. Despite not having any hard clinical trials, he says people have tried it and now "swear by it."
Pauli Fitzgerald, a communicator for the Virginia Graduate Marine Consortium, said she tried several treatments for her acne and various skin irritations. Because she was an avid cross-country skier and didn't wear a facemask, it took a toll on her skin. She tried many medications, but none of them worked until she came upon Fox's new medication.
"I put the ointment on one side of my face, and in a week, you could actually tell the difference. It was just remarkable," she said, adding that the ointment was particularly impressive because she was allergic to several skin medications.
Nevertheless, Fox still faces skeptics. He and research colleague Jon Bragi Bjarnason, a biochemistry professor at the University of Iceland, promote the theory that the ointment breaks down proteins on the surface of the diseased skin tissue so it can avoid being attacked by the immune system, and the rash that comes from being attacked. But research has not concluded why the enzyme works.
Greer and Vanloock, both still skeptical, agree that if the treatment is indeed proven to work, it would be great for all psoriasis sufferers.
"Yeah, people don't like it. It's a tough disease to treat. But he should share his information with us," Greer said.
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