Abstract:The obesity epidemic is a costly public health crisis that is not improving. In addition to the stigma and discomfort associated with carrying extra weight (at the expense of range of movement), obesity also goes hand-in-hand with co-morbidities like fatty liver disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk of some forms of cancer. Currently there are no long-lasting treatments for obesity other than diet and exercise, which are not feasible for many populations that may not be equipped with th… Show more
“…This process takes approximately 2–3 weeks (Nicolaou & Harwood, 2016 ). The role of sebum in skin barrier function is not completely understood; however, it is generally accepted as key in maintaining skin homeostasis, lubrication, thermoregulation, and protection from environmental stressors, pathogens, and contaminants by producing either proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, interleukins, pheromones, free fatty acids, and hormones (Dumas & Ntambi, 2018 ; Honari et al, 2014 ; Luca & Valacchi, 2010 ; Nicolaou & Harwood, 2016 ; Niemann & Horsley, 2012 ; Picardo et al, 2015 ; Shamloul & Khachemoune, 2021 ; Smith & Thiboutot, 2008 ). Fig.…”
Section: What Is Sebum?mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The sebaceous glands express the fatty acid transport protein (FATP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors that are responsible for the uptake of lipids from blood circulation for the hypothesised elimination via sebum secretion (Fig. 2 ) (Dumas & Ntambi, 2018 ; Shetage et al, 2018 ; Villas-Bôas et al, 2011 ; Zhou et al, 2012 ). This lipid elimination is supported by several experimental observations; for instance, a diet high in fats and carbohydrates causes an increase in sebum production (Kim et al, 2010 ; Macdonald, 1964 ; Pochi et al, 1970 ; Wilkinson, 1966 ), the incorporation of free fatty acids into sebum is reduced by 20% at the beginning of fasting (Downing et al, 1972 ; Pochi et al, 1970 ), and that inhibition of sebum production using isotretinoin resulted in significantly increased plasma triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels (Bershad et al, 1985 ; Zech et al, 1983 ).…”
Section: What Is Sebum?mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…1 Despite this, there is a growing interest in the metabolomics of less conventional biological matrices, one of them being skin secretions. Skin secretions are a mixture of sebum, sweat, corneocyte debris, and proteolytic products of filaggrin, collectively known as “residual skin surface components” (RSSC) (Dumas & Ntambi, 2018 ; Ludovici et al, 2018 ; Shetage et al, 2018 ). Their composition is predominantly governed by complex hormonal and metabolic mechanisms and may be confounded by interactions with the external environment and bacterial colonies on the skin surface (Bolognia et al, 2018 ; Bouslimani et al, 2015 ; Dumas & Ntambi 2018 ; Lovászi et al, 2017 ; Luca & Valacchi, 2010 ; Zouboulis et al, 2016 ).…”
Introduction
Sebum-based metabolomics (a subset of “sebomics”) is a developing field that involves the sampling, identification, and quantification of metabolites found in human sebum. Sebum is a lipid-rich oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands onto the skin surface for skin homeostasis, lubrication, thermoregulation, and environmental protection. Interest in sebomics has grown over the last decade due to its potential for rapid analysis following non-invasive sampling for a range of clinical and environmental applications.
Objectives
To provide an overview of various sebum sampling techniques with their associated challenges.
To evaluate applications of sebum for clinical research, drug monitoring, and human biomonitoring.
To provide a commentary of the opportunities of using sebum as a diagnostic biofluid in the future.
Methods
Bibliometric analyses of selected keywords regarding skin surface analysis using the Scopus search engine from 1960 to 2022 was performed on 12th January 2023. The published literature was compartmentalised based on what the work contributed to in the following areas: the understanding about sebum, its composition, the analytical technologies used, or the purpose of use of sebum. The findings were summarised in this review.
Results
Historically, about 15 methods of sampling have been used for sebum collection. The sample preparation approaches vary depending on the analytes of interest and are summarised. The use of sebum is not limited to just skin diseases or drug monitoring but also demonstrated for other systemic disease. Most of the work carried out for untargeted analysis of metabolites associated with sebum has been in the recent two decades.
Conclusion
Sebum has a huge potential beyond skin research and understanding how one’s physiological state affects or reflects on the skin metabolome via the sebaceous glands itself or by interactions with sebaceous secretion, will open doors for simpler biomonitoring. Sebum acts as a sink to environmental metabolites and has applications awaiting to be explored, such as biosecurity, cross-border migration, localised exposure to harmful substances, and high-throughput population screening. These applications will be possible with rapid advances in volatile headspace and lipidomics method development as well as the ability of the metabolomics community to annotate unknown species better. A key issue with skin surface analysis that remains unsolved is attributing the source of the metabolites found on the skin surface before meaningful biological interpretation.
“…This process takes approximately 2–3 weeks (Nicolaou & Harwood, 2016 ). The role of sebum in skin barrier function is not completely understood; however, it is generally accepted as key in maintaining skin homeostasis, lubrication, thermoregulation, and protection from environmental stressors, pathogens, and contaminants by producing either proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, interleukins, pheromones, free fatty acids, and hormones (Dumas & Ntambi, 2018 ; Honari et al, 2014 ; Luca & Valacchi, 2010 ; Nicolaou & Harwood, 2016 ; Niemann & Horsley, 2012 ; Picardo et al, 2015 ; Shamloul & Khachemoune, 2021 ; Smith & Thiboutot, 2008 ). Fig.…”
Section: What Is Sebum?mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The sebaceous glands express the fatty acid transport protein (FATP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors that are responsible for the uptake of lipids from blood circulation for the hypothesised elimination via sebum secretion (Fig. 2 ) (Dumas & Ntambi, 2018 ; Shetage et al, 2018 ; Villas-Bôas et al, 2011 ; Zhou et al, 2012 ). This lipid elimination is supported by several experimental observations; for instance, a diet high in fats and carbohydrates causes an increase in sebum production (Kim et al, 2010 ; Macdonald, 1964 ; Pochi et al, 1970 ; Wilkinson, 1966 ), the incorporation of free fatty acids into sebum is reduced by 20% at the beginning of fasting (Downing et al, 1972 ; Pochi et al, 1970 ), and that inhibition of sebum production using isotretinoin resulted in significantly increased plasma triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels (Bershad et al, 1985 ; Zech et al, 1983 ).…”
Section: What Is Sebum?mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…1 Despite this, there is a growing interest in the metabolomics of less conventional biological matrices, one of them being skin secretions. Skin secretions are a mixture of sebum, sweat, corneocyte debris, and proteolytic products of filaggrin, collectively known as “residual skin surface components” (RSSC) (Dumas & Ntambi, 2018 ; Ludovici et al, 2018 ; Shetage et al, 2018 ). Their composition is predominantly governed by complex hormonal and metabolic mechanisms and may be confounded by interactions with the external environment and bacterial colonies on the skin surface (Bolognia et al, 2018 ; Bouslimani et al, 2015 ; Dumas & Ntambi 2018 ; Lovászi et al, 2017 ; Luca & Valacchi, 2010 ; Zouboulis et al, 2016 ).…”
Introduction
Sebum-based metabolomics (a subset of “sebomics”) is a developing field that involves the sampling, identification, and quantification of metabolites found in human sebum. Sebum is a lipid-rich oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands onto the skin surface for skin homeostasis, lubrication, thermoregulation, and environmental protection. Interest in sebomics has grown over the last decade due to its potential for rapid analysis following non-invasive sampling for a range of clinical and environmental applications.
Objectives
To provide an overview of various sebum sampling techniques with their associated challenges.
To evaluate applications of sebum for clinical research, drug monitoring, and human biomonitoring.
To provide a commentary of the opportunities of using sebum as a diagnostic biofluid in the future.
Methods
Bibliometric analyses of selected keywords regarding skin surface analysis using the Scopus search engine from 1960 to 2022 was performed on 12th January 2023. The published literature was compartmentalised based on what the work contributed to in the following areas: the understanding about sebum, its composition, the analytical technologies used, or the purpose of use of sebum. The findings were summarised in this review.
Results
Historically, about 15 methods of sampling have been used for sebum collection. The sample preparation approaches vary depending on the analytes of interest and are summarised. The use of sebum is not limited to just skin diseases or drug monitoring but also demonstrated for other systemic disease. Most of the work carried out for untargeted analysis of metabolites associated with sebum has been in the recent two decades.
Conclusion
Sebum has a huge potential beyond skin research and understanding how one’s physiological state affects or reflects on the skin metabolome via the sebaceous glands itself or by interactions with sebaceous secretion, will open doors for simpler biomonitoring. Sebum acts as a sink to environmental metabolites and has applications awaiting to be explored, such as biosecurity, cross-border migration, localised exposure to harmful substances, and high-throughput population screening. These applications will be possible with rapid advances in volatile headspace and lipidomics method development as well as the ability of the metabolomics community to annotate unknown species better. A key issue with skin surface analysis that remains unsolved is attributing the source of the metabolites found on the skin surface before meaningful biological interpretation.
“…[ 23 ] Secretion of sebaceous lipids has been suggested to play a role in whole-body lipid clearance in response to diet. [ 24 ] Isotretinoin reduces sebum production and is related to increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. Skin plays a role in elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via enzymes and sebum.…”
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become a global crisis and is believed to affect almost one-quarter of the world's population. Its prevalence has been rising, especially in the younger age group. The interactions of the skin and MetS are myriad. Physiological functions of the skin may confer a protective role, whereas cutaneous diseases may play the role of MetS initiator or amplifier. Cutaneous signs may be some of the earliest manifestations of insulin resistance, the basic pathophysiology behind MetS. Skin changes are also prominent in type 2 diabetes mellitus, the consequence of MetS. Drugs used in dermatological disorders can lead to metabolic dysfunction. Awareness about the risk factors and early lifestyle interventions can help delay or even prevent the life-threatening complications of this syndrome. Dermatologists are in a unique position to predict and prevent MetS or its complications, a long time before the patient visits a physician for systemic problems. To write this review, an internet search was made focusing on articles on skin problems associated with MetS and its components, its risk factors, pathogenesis, and ways to prevent it. Information relevant to dermatological practice was compiled.
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