Long-Term Skin Safety Effect of Chlorine-Rich Water Treatment on C57BL/6 Mice

Abstract

Background: The weakened keratinocyte cohesion, wrinkle formation, loss of elasticity, decreased sebum production, increased water loss, and other skin problems caused by a compromised skin barrier can eventually result in various skin diseases. Given its current usage as a disinfectant and its potential use in medicine, it is crucial to assess the safety of chlorinated water. Objective: The study’s objective was to evaluate the long-term skin safety effects of chlorine-rich sterilized water (CIRW) treatment on C57BL/6 mice in vivo. Methods: Reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione peroxides (GPx), and catalase (CAT), as well as cytokines involved in inflammation (such as interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1 β, IL-13, GM-CS, and TNF-α) were tested as oxidative stress markers in both serum and skin. The skin parameters such as moisture level, elasticity, sebum, pore size, and wrinkles were measured. Results: The CIRW group showed higher elasticity and humidity than the NC group. Similarly, the ROS and NO levels were decreased significantly in the CIRW group compared with those in the NC group by the oxidative stress markers in the skin. We also observed the ClRW group serum IL-5, IL-6, and IL-12 to be significantly lower than those in the NC group. Conclusions: Our results indicate that ClRW does not generally exhibit skin toxicity in vivo with long-term care or immune redox reactions such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and allergic reactions.