Deficient Water-binding in Pathological Horny Layers

Topical Medication in Relation to Skin Physiology

“…Because of a systemic error in sulphur metabolism this incorporates sulphur which thus becomes unavailable for keratin synthesis. Flesch and Jackson Esoda (1961) believe that a mucopolysaccharide builds up in the pathologic horny layer instead of becoming decomposed as in normal keratinisation. A similar view is held by Tickner (1961), who suggests that the psoriatic lesion arises from a failure of the union of tonofibrin fibrils due to the presence, in abnormally large quantity, of a substance produced by some metabolic block.…”

The water-binding properties of the water-soluble substances in the horny layer.

“…Szakall ( 13) originally assumed that it was represented by free amino acids, but hc was unable to prove this directly. Flcsch and Esoda (3) found that psoriasis scales bind less water than normal homy-layer material and also contain less free alllino acids. This reduced capacity to take up moisture was attributed by these authors to a dccreased amino acid content.…”