BACKGROUND: Stratum corneum lipids serve as a water retainer as well as permeability barrier by forming a multi-lamellae structure in the stratum corneum. The major constituent of these lipids, ceramides, have been shown to be predominantly associated with both functions. OBJECTIVE: Exposure of human epidermis to ultraviolet(UV) irradiation leads to changes in the physiologic and biochemical features of the skin. In order to investigate the effect of UVB irradiation on the skin barrier function in hairless mice, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and lipid composition of stratum corneum were evaluated in hairless mice. METHODS: Hairless mice were irradiated 3 times weekly for 3 weeks with suberythemal dose (0.6MED, Group I) and minimal erythemal dose(MED), Group II) of UB. The mice of Group III received high dose of UVB(3MED) on the back in a single exposure. The control was Group IV. TEWL measured by evaporimeter and lipid composition of stratum corneum appraised by high performance thin layer chromatography(HPTLC) were evaluated weekly for 3 weeks. RESULTS: 1. Each time it was measured, the values of TEWL in group I were lower than group IV, but the difference was not significant. The peak value of TEWL in group II was 8.2+/-1.56 g/cm/h on the 7th day. The increase in TEWL was markedly significant at this point(P<0.001). Although the values of TEWL on the 14th and 21th day in group E increased compared with those of the control group, the significance of the values decreased (P<0.05). 2. The peak value of TEWL in group III was 9.88+/-1.13 g/cm/h on the 2nd day, showed a markedly significant increase compared with that of the control group(P<0.001). The values of TEWL decreased to the level of the control group on the 14th day. 3. The lipid(cholesterol sulfate, ceramide and neutral lipid) and total lipid mass in group 1 were insignificantly larger than that of the group IV measured each time. On the 7th and 14th day, the amount of each three lipid and total lipid mass significantly increased (P<0.05). On the 21th day, the amount of ceramide and neutral lipid showed a significant increase(P<0.05), furthermore the total lipid mass increased pronouncedly(P<0.01) in group II. 4. The amount of the 3 kinds of lipid and total lipid mass in group III significantly increased compared with those of the control group on the 2nd day(P<0.05). After the 7th day, no significant difference of the lipid mass except neutral lipid compared with that of the control group was seen. Comparing the 2nd and 14th day, there was a significant decrease in the amount of ceramide and total lipid mass(P<0.05) CONCLUSION: These results results suggest that considerable amount of UVB irradiation given in single or repeated exposure causes the disruption of skin barrier function, but a compensatory increase of skin lipid, especially ceramide, protests it from further damage and also improves skin barrier function.
Animals ; Ceramides ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Permeability ; Skin*

Chinese herbal medicine ultrafine powder has become a research hotspot for the addition of cosmetic raw materials. Dendrobium candidum is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Its extract and stem extract are already cosmetic raw materials and its water extract has the effect of preventing photoaging,but D. candidum ultrafine powder has not been accepted as a raw material for cosmetics,and no relevant research on photoaging prevention has been reported. In this experiment,the ultra-fine powder and fine powder of D. candidum to prevent photoaging were observed and compared,and its mechanism of action was discussed to provide a basis for the prevention of skin photoaging products. Seventy-two female ICR mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,solvent group,titanium dioxide(Ti O2) group,isooctyl salicylate(2-ES) group,D. candidum ultrafine powder 1(DP1),ultrafine powder 2(DP2) and fine powder(DP3) groups. The photoaging model was established by ultraviolet irradiation for 8 weeks,and the model was intervened while modeling. The skin wrinkle grade,elastic parameters,skin microcirculation blood flow,skin structure and pathological changes(skin thickness,skin collagen fiber,elastic fiber) were observed,the skin transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),Smad3 levels were determined,and the type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen,matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1),activated protein-1(AP-1),VEGF expression were detected. The results showed that ultrafine powder(DP1,DP2) significantly reduced the wrinkle level and skin blood flow of the model mice(P<0. 05,P<0. 01); DP1,DP2 and DP3 could significantly reduce the thickness of the epidermis(P<0. 001),improve collagen fiber,elastic fiber hyperplasia,and distortion and decrease VEGF expression,and DP1 is better than DP2 and DP3; each group could up-regulate type Ⅰ collagen,down-regulate type Ⅲ collagen,AP-1,MMP-1 protein expression,and DP1 improvement optimal. However,it has no obvious effect on TGF-β1 and Smad3. The ultrafine powder and fine powder of D. candidum have certain preventive effect on photoaging,and the effect of ultrafine powder is better than that of fine powder. Ultrafine powder may down-regulate the expression of type Ⅲ collagen,AP-1 and MMP-1 by up-regulating type Ⅰ collagen. Inhibition of collagen degradation plays a role in preventing photoaging.
Animals ; Dendrobium ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Skin ; Skin Aging ; Ultraviolet Rays

PURPOSE: Currently, soft tissue filler products based on hyaluronic acid are widely used. They are safe, effective, and convenient to use compared with bovine collagens. However, all commercially available hyaluronic acid based fillers in Korea are imported ones. The purpose of this study is to evaluate efficacy of a new hyaluronic acid filler (HyaFilia; CHA bio&Diostech Co., Seoul), which has been recently developed in Korea. METHODS: Three kinds of soft tissue fillers, including Restylane(Q-Med, Uppsala, Sweden), HyaFilia(CHA bio & Diostech Co., Seoul), Juvederm(Allergan, CA, USA), were injected subdermally into the back of hairless mice at six sites. The 2 cephalic sites composed Restylane groups, the 2 middle sites HyaFilia groups, and the 2 caudal sites Juvederm groups. Six hairless mice were included in the study, therefore, a total of 12 injections per group were performed. After 16 weeks after injection, the nodular swellings that resulted from the injections were excised wide enough to include skin beyond the swelling points down to the panniculus carnosus layer using 8mm punches. Volumes and weights were measured using a stereoimage optical topometer system and a weighting machine. Histologic comparisons were also carried out. RESULTS: The mean volumes of the Restylane, HyaFilia and Juvederm groups were 3698 x 103, 4820 x 103, and 1435 x 103 PI, respectively. The mean weights of the Restylane, HyaFilia and Juvederm groups were 36.08, 37.83, and 24.66mg, respectively. Histologic examination between the 3 groups showed no significant difference in tissue compositions and inflammatory reactions. CONCLUSION: The results of this study shows that HyaFilia is superior to Restylane and Juvederm in longavity of filling effect. Therefore, HyaFilia may be an effective replacement for the imported materials including Restylane and Juvederm.
Animals ; Collagen ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Korea ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Skin ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: The cornified cell envelope(CE) which is formed during the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes, is a specialized structure which forms a structurally and functionally complete permeability barrier. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to investigate the effects of changes in the calcium ions on keratinocyte differentiation, especially in the expression of CE protein. METHODS:The permeability barrier of hairless mice was disrupted by tape-stripping and then exposed to the air or occluded with a water-vapor impermeable membrane, and iontophoresis was done without permeability barrier perturbation. Skin specimens were prepared for ion capture cytochemistry and immunohistochemistry with anti-K5, anti-K10, anti-K6, anti-involucrin and anti-loricrin. RESULTS: The calcium gradient which disappeared after tape-stripping was restored at 36 h after tape-stripping with air exposure and at 60 h after tape-stripping with occlusion. The change in calcium ions produced by both positive and negative iontophoresis showed recovery at 6 h. Expression of basal K5 showed a slight decrease and expression of suprabasal K10 showed an increase at 12 h with air exposure after tape-stripping, tape stripping with occlusion, and iontophoresis. Expression of K6 appeared at 12 h after tape-stripping and then in the whole epidermis at 36 h with air exposure after tape-stripping and tape stripping with occlusion and focally appeared in the stratum granulosum and stratum spinosum after iontophoresis. Expression of involucrin was increased at 12 h with air exposure after tape-stripping and iontophoresis and was extended to the lower spinous layers in tape-stripping with occlusion. Expression of loricrin in air exposure after tape-stripping, tape-stripping with occlusion and iontophoresis was similar to that of normal skin. CONCLUSION: The changes in calcium ions without permeability barrier perturbation are related to the expression of CE protein. It is thought that calcium ions in the epidermis have an important role in the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes.
Animals ; Calcium* ; Epidermis ; Histocytochemistry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ions ; Iontophoresis ; Keratinocytes* ; Membranes ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Permeability ; Skin

BACKGROUND: The cornified cell envelope(CE) which is formed during the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes, is a specialized structure which forms a structurally and functionally complete permeability barrier. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to investigate the effects of changes in the calcium ions on keratinocyte differentiation, especially in the expression of CE protein. METHODS:The permeability barrier of hairless mice was disrupted by tape-stripping and then exposed to the air or occluded with a water-vapor impermeable membrane, and iontophoresis was done without permeability barrier perturbation. Skin specimens were prepared for ion capture cytochemistry and immunohistochemistry with anti-K5, anti-K10, anti-K6, anti-involucrin and anti-loricrin. RESULTS: The calcium gradient which disappeared after tape-stripping was restored at 36 h after tape-stripping with air exposure and at 60 h after tape-stripping with occlusion. The change in calcium ions produced by both positive and negative iontophoresis showed recovery at 6 h. Expression of basal K5 showed a slight decrease and expression of suprabasal K10 showed an increase at 12 h with air exposure after tape-stripping, tape stripping with occlusion, and iontophoresis. Expression of K6 appeared at 12 h after tape-stripping and then in the whole epidermis at 36 h with air exposure after tape-stripping and tape stripping with occlusion and focally appeared in the stratum granulosum and stratum spinosum after iontophoresis. Expression of involucrin was increased at 12 h with air exposure after tape-stripping and iontophoresis and was extended to the lower spinous layers in tape-stripping with occlusion. Expression of loricrin in air exposure after tape-stripping, tape-stripping with occlusion and iontophoresis was similar to that of normal skin. CONCLUSION: The changes in calcium ions without permeability barrier perturbation are related to the expression of CE protein. It is thought that calcium ions in the epidermis have an important role in the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes.
Animals ; Calcium* ; Epidermis ; Histocytochemistry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ions ; Iontophoresis ; Keratinocytes* ; Membranes ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Permeability ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Bentonite clay, which is a major component of mud pack, has been used for various purposes in cosmetics. Glycolic acid is known to be effective in the treatment of acne. Al-though those products are used widely, information on the mode of action and effects on the skin are little and controversial till now. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether bentonite alone, or bentonite with glycolic acid in mixed formulation affect the stratum corneum leading to alteration on cutaneous barrier function and whether those products alter the lipid lamellae and desmosomes of corneocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mud pack-type ointment of bentonite, bentonite and 5% glycolic acid formulation, bentonite and 10% glycolic acid formulation were applied on the volar fore-arm of the five healthy men and flank skin of five 6-8 week old hairless mice. Transepidermal water loss and capacitance were measured. Electron microscopic examination after ruthenium tetroxide postfixation was performed on the flank skin of the mice. RESULTS: Transepidermal water loss(TEWL) increased immediately and normalized 4 to 6 hours later after removal of vapor permeable membrane in both mouse and human. Capacitance did not show any evidence of change in the water content of the stratum corneum. Electron microscopic examination revealed that lipid lamellae and desmosome of corneocytes were not de-graded, but lamellar body secretion and partially electron-lucent material was-increased in 10% glycolic acid and bentonite mixture-treated area. CONCLUSION: Barrier function of stratum corneum is not disturbed by bentonite and glycolic acid formulations at the concentration used. Barrier structures are not disrupted, but lamellar body secretion and partially electron-lucent material was increased by bentonite and glycolic acid formulations at higher concentration.
Acne Vulgaris ; Animals ; Bentonite* ; Desmosomes ; Humans ; Male ; Membranes ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Mud Therapy ; Ruthenium ; Skin ; Water

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the heparin effect for a viability of random-pattern dorsal flap in hairless mouse. METHODS: A caudally-based random dorsal flap, measuring 1.5 x 5 m, was designed and heparin was applied topically after microneedling. Twenty five male hairless mice were randomly divided into five groups: control (Group 1, n=5); received only microneedling (Group 2, n=5), only heparin (Group 3, n=5), microneedling with saline (Group 4, n=5), and microneedling with heparin group (group 5, n=5) to the flap during 7 days. The number of the capillaries were compared between the experimental groups and control group with respect to neovascularization after heparin application using imaging analysis program under hematoxylin-eosin stain. The capillary blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. After seven days each animal was evaluatedfor the percentage area of the flap survival. Mann- Whitnety U test and Kruskal-Wallis statistical analysis of survival relationships was performed. RESULTS: It can be observed increased number of the blood vessels in the experimental groups however it was not statistically significant. Blood flow of the haparin with microneedling group maintained higher than other experimental groups. Treated microneedling and heparin mice were significantly better flap viability than in controls (flap survival 67% and 54.4 mm2 respectively; p< 0.01). Positive correlation was shown between flap survival rate and laser Doppler flux value only at first day after surgery. CONCLUSION: Heparin has a beneficial effect on capillary flow and improve peripheral circulatory disturbances in random pattern flaps.
Animals ; Blood Vessels ; Capillaries ; Heparin ; Humans ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Skin ; Survival Rate

S-methyl-(L)-methionine (SMM), also known as vitamin U, is commercially available as skin care cosmetic products for its wound healing and photoprotective effects. However, the low skin permeation expected of SMM due to its hydrophilic nature with a log P value of −3.3, has not been thoroughly addressed. The purpose of this study thus was to evaluate the effect of skin permeation enhancers on the skin permeation/deposition of SMM. Among the enhancers tested for the in vitro skin permeation and deposition of SMM, oleic acid showed the most significant enhancing effect. Moreover, the combination of oleic acid and ethanol further enhanced in vitro permeation and deposition of SMM through hairless mouse skin. Furthermore, the combination of oleic acid and ethanol significantly increased the in vivo deposition of SMM in the epidermis/dermis for 12 hr, which was high enough to exert a therapeutic effect. Therefore, based on the in vitro and in vivo studies, the combination of oleic acid and ethanol was shown to be effective in improving the topical skin delivery of SMM, which may be applied in the cosmetic production process for SMM.
Animals ; Ethanol ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Oleic Acid ; Skin Care ; Skin* ; Vitamin U ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: Topical irritants disrupt the cutaneous permeability barrier through the removal of stratum comeum lipids. This perturbation of barrier integrity stimulates a variety of homeostatic repair responses that ultimately result in the normalization of bamer function. Object To measure the effect of desoxymethasone ointment, vaseline and hydrobase on the barrier recovery of benzalkonium chloride (BKC) imtated skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The left flank skin of 2-3 monthold hairless mice was treated with BKC and then desoxymethasone ointment, vaseline and hydrobase were applied. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was checked after 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 hours. Electron microscopic examination was performed after 3 and 24 hours after desoxymethasone, vaseline and hydrobase had been applied. RESULTS: The recovery of TEWL was most prominantly observed in the desoxymethasone ointment treated group followed by vaseline and hydrobase. Electron microscopic examination using ruthenium tetroxide fixation revealed that secretion and numbers of lamellar bodies and complete formatice of lipid bilayers were most prominent at desoxymethasone ointment and vaseline treated group. CONCLUSION: Desoxymethasone ointment, vaseline and hydrobase can be good agents in improving bamer recovery after exposure to irritant material.
Animals ; Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Desoximetasone* ; Irritants ; Lipid Bilayers ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Permeability ; Petrolatum* ; Ruthenium ; Skin*

BACKGROUND: Moisturizers induce skin hydration and then increase flexibility and elasticity, making the skin soft and smooth, and protecting it against environmental stimuli. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to study the role of intercorneocyte lipid layers and desmosomes in the mechanism of moisturization. METHODS: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and capacitance were measured and the morphologic changes of the intercorneocyte lipid layers and desmosomes with electron microscopy, using ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4) postfixation, following the application of glycerin, propylene glycol, and a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol for a 2 hour period to the epidermis of hairless mice were measured. RESULTS: 1. The TEWL was significantly increased in all three groups; glycerin, propylene glycol, and mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol. The increase of TEWL after the application of glycerin was maintained from the second to the forth hour after application which was statistically significant, after the application of propylene glycol it was maintained for 5 hours, and after the application of a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol, for 6 hours. 2. The capacitance also was increased in all three experimental groups, compared to the control group. However there was no statistical significance. 3. Light microscopic findings showed no specific changes in all three groups, compared to the control group. 4. Ultrastructural observation by electron microscope, using RuO4 postfixation, showed widening of the intercorneocyte lipid layers in all three groups. In contrast to glycerin in which the results showed detachment of the desmosomes without changes in the intercorneocyte lipid layers, propylene glycol showed interruption and undulation of the intercorneocyte lipid layers and expansion of the lacunae spaces. A mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol showed interruption and undulation of the intercorneocyte lipid layers, detachment of the desmosomes, and, partial, formation of lacunae. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the moisturizing effects of glycerin result from an increased detachment of the desmosomes and widening of the intercorneocyte lipid layers and then an increase in the water holding capacity of the stratum corneum. Propylene glycol, a chemical penetration enhancer, induce widening, interruption, and undulation of the lipid layers and expansion of the lacunae space. In the mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol, propylene glycol potentiate and continue the moisturizing effects of the glycerin.
Animals ; Desmosomes* ; Elasticity ; Epidermis ; Glycerol* ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pliability ; Propylene Glycol* ; Ruthenium ; Skin