Stratum corneum hydration and amino acid content in xerotic skin

Abstract

The relationship between clinical severity, the hydration state of the skin surface as assessed by a conductance with a 3.5 MHz high frequency impedance meter, and the amino acid content of the stratum corneum (SC) of six patients with ichthyosis vulgaris and 30 elderly persons with varying degrees of xerosis was investigated. With an increase in the severity of xerosis the SC showed a decrease in hydration and in its extractable amino acid content. There was a significant correlation between the hydration state and amino acid content of the SC. Although there was a significant correlation between the amino acid content of the lower leg SC and that of the forearm SC in the same subject, the former was generally lower, corresponding to the greater incidence of xerosis on the lower leg. These results suggest that a decreased amount of amino acids may be the result of low profilaggrin biosynthesis in the epidermis and that this is involved in the pathogenesis of these xerotic skin conditions. Clinical improvement of the xerosis following treatment with a urea-containing cream was not accompanied by any significant change in the amino acid content of the SC.

Kallikrein-related Peptidase-7 Regulates Caspase-14 Maturation during Keratinocyte Terminal Differentiation by Generating an Intermediate Form

“…Filaggrin is a source of NMFs, which are essential for skin hydration and barrier function (19,20). Genetic studies have shown that loss-of-function mutations in FLG, the human gene encoding profilaggrin and filaggrin, are a major risk factor for the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) (21,22).…”

Characterisation of Skin Barrier Function Using Bioengineering and Biophysical Techniques

“…As a result of this mutation, lower levels of NMF are generated in atopic skin and this is thought to contribute to an impaired barrier function (4,11). Furthermore, a reduced NMF level has also been reported in other abnormal dry and scaly skin conditions (12)(13)(14). Therefore, measuring the amount of NMF in the skin may offer a useful indicator of skin hydration and be helpful in the early diagnosis of these skin disorders.…”

The Effect of Topical Tretinoin on the Photodamaged Skin of the Japanese.

“…The amino acid content of the samples attached to the Cello tape (Nichiban, Tokyo) was measured after disolving in toluene according to the method previously described by Horii et al (1989). …”