Changes in Skin Barrier Function after Repeated Exposition to Phospholipid-Based Surfactants and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate In Vivo and Corneocyte Surface Analysis by Atomic Force Microscopy.

Claudia Vater,Alexandra Apanovic,Christoph Riethmüller,Victoria Klang,Michael Wolzt,Brigitte Litschauer,Claudia Valenta

doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13040436

Claudia Vater, Alexandra Apanovic + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13040436

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Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pure lecithins in comparison to a conventional surfactant on skin in vivo. (2) Methods: Physiological skin parameters were evaluated at the beginning and the end of the study (day 1 and day 4) (n = 8, healthy forearm skin) with an Aquaflux®, skin-pH-Meter, Corneometer® and an Epsilon® sensor. Confocal Raman spectroscopy was employed to monitor natural moisturizing factor, urea and water content of the participants’ skin. Tape strips of treated skin sites were taken and the collected corneocytes were subjected to atomic force microscopy. Circular nano objects were counted, and dermal texture indices were determined. (3) Results: Transepidermal water loss was increased, and skin hydration was decreased after treatment with SDS and LPC80. Natural moisturizing factor and urea concentrations within the outermost 10 µm of the stratum corneum were lower than after treatment with S75 or water. Dermal texture indices of skin treated with SDS were higher than skin treated with water (control). (4) Conclusions: Results suggest very good (S75) or good (LPC80) skin-tolerability of lecithin-based surfactants in comparison to SDS and encourage further investigation.

Highlights

Introduction iationsThe human skin is a complex organ that comprises different layers with specific physiology and functions
Two of the participants (S005 and S006) showed a very strong or strong reaction to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), which occurred on the last day of treatment
As the volunteers stated that the skin area did not hurt and they wished to conclude the study, no participants were excluded at this point

Summary

Introduction

Introduction iationsThe human skin is a complex organ that comprises different layers with specific physiology and functions. The outermost layer of the epidermis, termed the stratum corneum (SC), plays a key role in this context It is composed of 10 to 25 stacked layers of flattened, elongated, keratinized dead cells, the corneocytes, which are embedded in a complex lipid matrix [1,3]. Corneocytes emerge from the main cell type of the living epidermis, the keratinocytes, which are formed in the basal layer of the epidermis and constantly migrate towards the skin surface. During this process, differentiation occurs and the emerging corneocytes are subjected to desquamation [3]. The intercellular lipid matrix, which mainly consists of ceramides, Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

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