Healthy Japanese Females Research Articles

A Rapid Activated Protein C Sensitivity Test as a Diagnostic Marker for a Suspected Venous Thromboembolism in Pregnancy and Puerperium

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine whether changes in response to activated protein C (APC) can be a diagnostic marker of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy and puerperium. Methods: The normalized APC sensitivity ratio (sr) was examined in arbitrarily selected healthy Japanese pregnant females and compared with those in non-pregnant females and patients with VTE at the onset before anticoagulation in pregnancy and puerperium using an endogenous thrombin potential-based assay with a computer-assisted calibrated automated thrombography. Results:Sensitivity to APC in patients with VTE at onset was reduced in comparison to that in late pregnancy period and puerperium (p < 0.01, Student’s t test). The odds ratio for VTE was 31.9 with statistical significance in pregnant females with suspected clinical symptoms and APC-sr (≧5), although the odds ratio for VTE was not significant with D-dimer (≧5). Conclusion: These data suggest that an APC sensitivity test can be a possible surrogate diagnostic marker of suspected VTE during pregnancy and puerperium.

健常女性における最大下運動時の二重積屈曲点と動脈スティフネスの関係

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relation between double product break point (DPBP) and pulse wave velocity (PWV).Two hundred three healthy Japanese females were studied (mean age; 53.5 +/- 11.7 years old). The DPBP was measured by continuous incremental exercise test with a bicycle ergometer (ML-3600, Fukuda Electronic Co. Ltd). The work rate at DPBP was converted into metabolic equivalents (METs@DPBP). The brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) was also measured. In addition, height, weight and mean blood pressure (mBP) were measured and physical activity condition in daily life (PA) was evaluated by questionnaire.The mean METs@DPBP was 5.0 +/- 0.7 METs. The mean baPWV was 1,373 +/- 254 cm/ sec. The relation between METs@DPBP and baPWV was investigated with the use of multiple linear regression models with adjustment for affecting factors of baPWV.In this study, it was identified that there was a significantly inverse relation between METs@DPBP and baPWV (p <0.01). This finding was independent from age, height, weight, mBP and PA. Thus, there was an inverse relation between sub-maximal aerobic capacity and arterial stiffness.

Glycation Stress and Photo-Aging in Skin

This article reviews glycation stress as a factor linked to age-related diseases and functional and structural alterations of the skin. Photo-aging and glycation stress are major causes of skin deterioration. Glycation occurs when a reducing sugar, such as glucose or fructose, combines with a protein in a non-enzymatic reaction forming a glycated protein. Further reactions form advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which may accumulate in tissue. AGEs may also bind to a receptor for AGEs (RAGE), thus inducing inflammatory changes in skin and other tissues. The concept of glycation stress includes cellular and tissue responses to reducing sugars and aldehydes, not just to the production of AGEs. Glycation stress may be induced and affected by many factors, including exposure to ultraviolet light, which drastically intensifies AGE accumulation. AGEs modify skin collagen by reducing skin elasticity, and one result is wrinkle formation. AGEs accumulated in skin may be detected using auto-fluorescence (AF); our data from 136 healthy Japanese females shows the AF level is correlated with age. Glycation stress, and subsequently skin aging, may be reduced by managing levels of blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride through an appropriate diet, lifestyle, and intake of anti-glycation materials such as AGE generation inhibitors, AGE decomposers, and AGE receptor antagonists. Study of glycation stress may help identify new anti-aging treatments.

A phase II, open-label, multicentre study to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of an adjuvanted prepandemic (H5N1) influenza vaccine in healthy Japanese adults

BackgroundPromising clinical data and significant antigen-sparing have been demonstrated for a pandemic H5N1 influenza split-virion vaccine adjuvanted with AS03A, an α-tocopherol-containing oil-in-water emulsion-based Adjuvant System. Although studies using this formulation have been reported, there have been no data for Japanese populations. This study therefore aimed to assess the immunogenicity and tolerability of a prepandemic (H5N1) influenza vaccine adjuvanted with AS03A in Japanese adults.MethodsThis open-label, single-group study was conducted at two centres in Japan in healthy Japanese males and females aged 20-64 years (n = 100). Subjects received two doses of vaccine, containing 3.75 μg haemagglutinin of the A/Indonesia/5/2005-like IBCDC-RG2 Clade 2.1 (H5N1) strain adjuvanted with AS03A, 21 days apart. The primary endpoint evaluated the humoral immune response in terms of H5N1 haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titres against the vaccine strain (Clade 2.1) 21 days after the second dose. Ninety five percent confidence intervals for geometric mean titres, seroprotection, seroconversion and seropositivity rates were calculated. Secondary and exploratory endpoints included the assessment of the humoral response in terms of neutralising antibody titres, the response against additional H5N1 strains (Clade 1 and Clade 2.2), as well as the evaluation of safety and reactogenicity.ResultsRobust immune responses were elicited after two doses of the prepandemic influenza vaccine adjuvanted with AS03A. Overall, vaccine HI seroconversion rates and seroprotection rates were 91% 21 days after the second vaccination. This fulfilled all regulatory acceptance criteria for the vaccine-homologous HI antibody level. A substantial cross-reactive humoral immune response was also observed against the virus strains A/turkey/Turkey/1/2005 (Clade 2.2) and A/Vietnam/1194/2004 (Clade 1) after the second vaccine administration. A marked post-vaccination response in terms of neutralising antibody titres was demonstrated and persistence of the immune response was observed 6 months after the first dose. The vaccine was generally well tolerated and there were no serious adverse events reported.ConclusionsThe H5N1 candidate vaccine adjuvanted with AS03A elicited a strong and persistent immune response against the vaccine strain A/Indonesia/5/2005 in Japanese adults. Vaccination with this formulation demonstrated a clinically acceptable reactogenicity profile and did not raise any safety concerns in this population.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT00742885

Establishment of a Novel Cell Line of Plasmablastic Lymphoma with Loss of p16 Tumor Suppressor Protein and Overexpression of MDR

AbstractAbstract 4451Plasmablastic lymphoma is characterized by diffuse proliferation of large blastoid cells with immunophenotype of plasma cells. It frequently presents as a mass in the oral cavity, but it may also be encountered in other extranodal sites. It is clinically aggressive with a median survival of 6 months. Immunodeficiency, mainly by HIV, is the major risk factor for this disease, however, in some Asian countries like Japan and Korea, more numbers of HIV-negative cases of plasmablastic lymphoma has been reported, with fewer Epstein Birr Virus (EBV)-associated cases. Thus, it needs to be further determined whether any ethnic differences in the occurrence of this disease exists.We have experienced a rare case of plasmablastic lymphoma of the uterus in an otherwise healthy young Japanese female. Although treated with multiple chemotherapy regimens such as CHOP, hyper CVAD and VAD, the patient died of the disease within three months after the diagnosis. The clinical course of the disease was unique with de novo onset in the uterus, progressing to systemic lymph node swelling. Immunophenotype of the tumor was positive for CD138, VS38c and EMA but negative for CD20 and EBER. Karyotyping of the tumor showed two novel chromosome translocations, t(4;7)(q35;q22) and t(9;13)(p22;q22), either as a single translocation of t(9;13) or both. Southern blot analysis of the tumor was negative for EBV or c-myc translocation, which has recently been reported to have causal relationship with this type of lymphoma. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient and the family, and tissue sample obtained by lymph node biopsy was used for further analysis.The lymph node specimen was transplanted subcutaneously in immunodeficient NOG mice and was stably transplantable up to over five passages. The tumor was also transplantable subcutaneously to nude mice. We also succeeded in maintaining these newly established plasmablastic lymphoma cell lines in vitro. Two cell lines, one with a single translocation of t(9;13) and another with double translocation of t(4;7) and t(9;13) were established. Both cell lines were identical to the original patient's tumor in terms of immunophenotype.Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to identify the precise chromosomal breakpoints in these translocations. FISH analysis using approximately 50 probes identified consistent result with CGH analysis, which lead to the identification of lack of tumor suppressor p16 protein expression (t(9;13)) and upregulation of multidrug resistant protein (MDR) (t(4;7)).The expression of cell surface MDR and its function were also confirmed using flow cytometry and dye efflux method. Comparison among the established cell lines with or without the t(4;7) translocation confirmed increased resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs such as adriamycin and cisplatinum in t(4;7) positive, MDR overexpressing cell line. This result is in accordance with the clinical course of the patient, where adriamycin was initially the key drug, but lost its responsiveness with disease progression.We believe that this is the first report of the establishment of cell line for plasmablastic lymphoma that has identified genetic lesions involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. These newly established cell lines and experimental animal models of plasmablastic lymphoma will be a useful tool to understand the pathogenesis of the disease including development of the typical plasmablastic feature of this type of lymphoma, and to identify novel effective treatment strategy for this highly aggressive lymphoma. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Serum high-molecular-weight adiponectin as a marker for the evaluation and care of subjects with metabolic syndrome and related disorders

In 1996, adiponectin was reported to be the most abundant transcript in adipose tissue. Animal studies revealed that administering adiponectin improves insulin resistance and blood glucose levels and inhibits atherosclerosis. In the present article, we review the significance of measuring serum high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin levels in human subjects. Our cross-sectional studies revealed that the serum HMW adiponectin concentration was 1.9 times higher in healthy Japanese females than males and had a strong positive correlation with HDL-cholesterol but a negative correlation with BMI and the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). They also indicated that the serum HMW adiponectin concentration had a stronger association with HOMA-IR and metabolic syndrome than the total adiponectin concentration. Our longitudinal study, a 6-year follow-up of Japanese men, suggested that a decreased level of HMW adiponectin is a predictor of progression to metabolic syndrome. In another intervention study, lifestyle modification for 3 months induced a decrease in BMI and waist circumference and an increase in serum HMW adiponectin but not the total adiponectin level in 16 Japanese males with metabolic syndrome. Administering thiazolidinediones to diabetic patients increased the serum HMW adiponectin concentration 3 fold and improved glucose and lipid profiles and blood pressure. Some people may inherit a lower serum concentration of adiponectin, and have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.It is suggested that HMW adiponectin is a useful marker for the evaluation and care of subjects with metabolic syndrome and related disorders.

Effect of month of birth on personality traits of healthy Japanese

The effect of month of birth on personality traits was investigated in 595 healthy Japanese. Personality traits were evaluated by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Statistical analyses were conducted in two steps. Firstly, months of the year were divided according to ambient temperature or photoperiod, and TCI scores were compared between month groups by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with age as a covariate. Secondly, multiple regression analysis was performed with TCI scores as dependent variables and ambient temperature and photoperiod at birth month and age as independent variables. Both analyses showed that higher ambient temperature at birth month was related to higher scores of self-directedness and persistence in females. Also, higher ambient temperature at birth month was related to lower body mass index (BMI) in females. These results suggest that month of birth affects self-directedness and persistence in healthy Japanese females, and these effects may be mediated by BMI changes associated with ambient temperature at birth month.

Evaluation of anti‐wrinkle effects of a novel cosmetic containing niacinamide

Niacinamide is known to have effectiveness on sallowness, wrinkling, red blotchiness and hyperpigmented spots in aging skin. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-wrinkle effects of a new cosmetic containing niacinamide. A randomized, placebo-controlled, split face study was performed in 30 healthy Japanese females who had wrinkles in the eye areas. The tested cosmetic containing 4% niacinamide was applied on wrinkles of one side for 8 weeks, and a control cosmetic without niacinamide on another site. Anti-wrinkle effects were evaluated with two methods: (i) doctors' observation and photographs based on the guideline of the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association; and (ii) average roughness of skin surface (Ra value) using skin replica. This cosmetic showed marked and moderate improvement in 64% of the subjects with a significant difference as compared with the control site (P < 0.001). Wrinkle grades in the tested area significantly reduced more than pre-application (P < 0.001) and the control (P < 0.001). Reduction in Ra value on the tested area was more than pre-application (P < 0.01) and the control site (P < 0.05) with significant differences. Only one subject stopped the study with minimal irritation. These results indicated that the tested lotion was well tolerated and may be an optional preparation for the treatment of wrinkles in the eye areas.

Relationship of TMJ osteoarthritis / osteoarthrosis to head posture and dentofacial morphology

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that there is a relationship between the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis (OA), head posture and dentofacial morphology. Case-control study. The subjects consisted of 34 Japanese females with TMJ OA (aged 24.7 +/- 6.1 years) and a control group of 25 healthy Japanese females (aged 23.6 +/- 1.3 years). Six cranio-cervical angular measurements were constructed for head posture analysis. Nine angular and three linear measurements were constructed for the skeletal hard tissue analysis. Five angular and one linear measurements were constructed for the dental hard tissue analysis. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare the mean differences of head posture measurements and dentofacial cephalometric measurements between the TMJ OA and the control group. The TMJ OA group had significantly larger cranio-cervical angles (p < 0.05) and had more posteriorly rotated mandibles (p < 0.0001) than those in the control group. They also had a significantly shorter posterior facial height (p < 0.0001). The TMJ OA group had more retroclined lower incisors (p < 0.05). These results suggest that an association may exist between TMJ OA, head posture and dentofacial morphology.

植物ステロール添加加工米摂取による血中コレステロール低下作用について

Plant sterols are natural dietary components whose lowering effect on serum cholesterol level has been well documented. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of plant-sterol-supplemented processed rice on serum of cholesterol level. In the determination, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted using a 3-group parallel protocol. The subjects comprised 33 healthy Japanese males and females with a total cholesterol level of 234. 6± 24.6 (mean±SD, mg/ml). They were given a daily ration of rice balls prepared from plant-sterol-supplemented rice containing 1.46 and 2.25 g of plant sterol for 4 weeks. Serum total cholesterol was reduced by 4.6% in the 2.25 g/day plant-sterol (as β-sitosterol of about 968 mg/day) group (p<0.05). As for LDL cholesterol level, such reduction was observed in 4.3%. In all the groups, no significant change in the level of HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol, RLP-cholesterol, VLD-lipoprotein, LD-lipoprotein or other kinds of apolipoprtein and biochemical parameters. In addition, no remarkable abnormality was observed in the subjective and objective examination of what symptoms. These results indicate that plant-sterol-supplemented processed rice is useful in supporting healthy eating habits for reducing serum total cholesterol level.

Comparison of cephalometric norms between Japanese and Caucasian adults in antero-posterior and vertical dimension

The aims of this study were to determine Japanese cephalometric norms in the antero-posterior and vertical dimension, and to test the hypothesis that there are racial differences in cephalometric measurements between Japanese and Caucasian norms. Radiographs were obtained from 25 healthy Japanese males (aged 25.1 +/- 2.7 years) and 24 healthy Japanese females (aged 23.6 +/- 1.3 years). Inclusion criteria were an ANB angle between 2 and 5 degrees, a normal occlusion with minor or no crowding, all teeth present except third molars, no previous orthodontic treatment, and no prosthetic replacement of teeth. Two angular and five linear measurements were constructed for the skeletal hard tissue analysis, one angular and six linear measurements for the dental hard tissue analysis, and two angular and seven linear measurements for the soft tissue analysis. The mean and standard deviations for the hard and soft tissue measurements were determined for each gender. Unpaired t-tests were used to determine the mean differences for each cephalometric measurement between the Japanese and the Caucasians. In the antero-posterior dimension, the Japanese subjects had a significantly more retruded chin position (P < 0.001), typically protruding mandibular incisors, and protruded lip positions compared with the Caucasian norms. In the vertical dimension, the Japanese had a significantly steeper mandibular plane (P < 0.01). The Japanese females had a significantly larger lower face height and increased dental height (P < 0.001). The results of this study suggest that these cephalometric measurements might be helpful to formulate treatment plans for Japanese patients.

Open‐configuration MRI study of femoro‐acetabular impingement

Femoro-acetabular impingement has been proposed as a causative factor of primary hip osteoarthritis. However, primary osteoarthritis of the hip is infrequent in Japan and other Asian countries, even though the hips of Asians frequently sustain impingement, since the Asian lifestyle commonly requires a larger range of hip motion than the Western lifestyle. Therefore, using open-configuration MRI, we investigated whether impingement actually occurs during some traditional Japanese hip positions. The hips of 5 healthy Japanese females were examined in 5 sitting postures: 1) sitting straight; 2) bowing while sitting straight; 3) sitting cross-legged; 4) W-sitting; and 5) squatting. The impingement point was detected by multiple plane reconstructed (MPR) views along with the acetabular rim depicted circumferentially. Impingement was considered to have occurred when, on MRI, the anterior femoral head-neck junction approached the acetabular rim and the femoral head was seen to float from the bottom of the acetabulum with the acetabular rim acting as a fulcrum. Impingement was observed in all volunteers in the W-sitting position, and in 2 of 5 volunteers during squatting. These findings show that impingement occurs frequently during daily Japanese activities. Thus, depending on race, femoro-acetabular impingement might not always cause primary osteoarthritis of the hip. (c) 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:1582-1588, 2007.

Sleep status and blood pressure in a healthy normotensive female population

Sleeplessness can be linked to hypertension and its consequent complications such as cardiovascular disease. We investigated the cross-sectional relationship between blood pressure (BP) and self-reported sleep status among 227 healthy normotensive Japanese females (mean age: 47.0 years) in a clinical setting. Multiple logistic regression analysis for the highest quartile of diastolic BP (DBP) showed the body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio = 1.26 [95% confidence interval = 1.12–1.41]) and sleep status (sometimes lack: 2.19 [1.00–4.79], poor: 2.82 [1.17–6.80]) as significantly associated factors. The same analysis for systolic BP or pulse pressure showed that both age and BMI were significant factors and sleep status was not associated. A poorer sleep status may contribute to elevated DBP in healthy normotensive females.

健康成人男女におけるＱＴ／ＱＴｃ間隔についての検討―性差，年齢によるＱＴ／ＱＴｃ間隔への影響および測定法による差異についての検討―

Aims : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sex and age on QT/QTc interval in healthy Japanese males and females. In addition, we investigated the difference in the evaluations between manual read and automatic read standard 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG).Methods : In the present study 309 subjects (175 males, 134 females, age : 20-78 years), who had undergone clinical laboratory tests including ECG, physical examination and biochemical blood test in Kan-nondai clinic were enrolled. ECG measurement was made by a Mortara ELI 250 ECG, and the ECG was performed three times every minute for each subject. Electronic ECG data (chart paper) was sent to the outside evaluating system of eResearch Technology Inc. for the manual read. QT/QTc interval data were corrected as QTcB (Bazett's correction) and QTcF (Fridericia correction) and were evaluated according to factors including gender and age. In addition, QT/QTc intervals were compared between manual read and automatic read ECG.Results : The QTcB and QTcF were significantly longer in females (425±18 msec, 421±15 msec, respectively) than males (407±24 msec, 405±20 msec, respectively) in the present enrolled subjects (p<0.0001 in both QTcB and QTcF). The corrected QT/QTc tended to be correlated with age, and slightly positive, in both male and female subjects, although the correlation was marginally significant for QTcB in males. From actual observation ECG parameters calculated from the manual read were shorter than those from the automatic read (% of manual<automatic read : 87.5% for QT, 80.5% for QTcB and 84.7% for QTcF). The measurement deviation of the parameters was 15±10 msec for QTcB and 12±10 msec for QTcF.Conclusions : These results suggested that a ECG parameters study covering a wide range of males and females should be required for developmental drugs with the potential to induce QT/QTc prolongation.

Association of abdominal obesity with decreased serum levels of carotenoids in a healthy Japanese population

Few epidemiological studies have investigated the relationship between abdominal adiposity and serum levels of carotenoids. This study investigated the relationship between total and abdominal obesity and serum levels of carotenoids. Study population consisted of healthy Japanese males (n=192) and females (n=398) who attended a health examination screening (age: 49-86 years). Serum carotenoids were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to provide the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of obesity indices for low levels of serum carotenoids. In females, High waist circumference was associated with low levels of serum canthaxanthin (OR=2.00, 95% CI=1.26-3.19) and beta-carotene (BC) (OR=2.01, 95% CI=1.23-3.28). High waist hip ratio was also associated with low levels of serum alpha- carotene and BC (OR=2.44, 95% CI=1.49-4.03, and OR =1.97, 95% CI=1.20-3.28, respectively). Similar results were obtained when body mass index was added to confounding factors. In males, however, there were no significant associations between obesity indices and serum levels of carotenoids. Our results suggest that abdominal fat accumulation is associated with oxidative stress as determined by low levels of serum carotenoids in females. In males, further study excluding the effect of strong confounding factors, including smoking, is needed.

No association between monoamine oxidase A promoter polymorphism and personality traits in Japanese females

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline in the brain. Previous studies have demonstrated a significant association between MAO-A gene polymorphism and personality traits in males. The purpose of the present study was to examine this association in females. The subjects were 219 healthy Japanese females. We genotyped a variable number of tandem repeats located upstream of the MAO-A gene. Personality traits were assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). There was no association between any personality trait and MAO-A genotype. The present results do not support the hypothesis that MAO-A gene polymorphism is related to certain personality traits in females.

Influence of environmental stress on skin tone, color and melanogenesis in Japanese skin

Influence of environmental stress on skin tone, color and melanogenesis in Japanese skin

A study of diurnal variation in wrinkles on the human face.

We recently evaluated diurnal variations in facial skin elasticity and thickness and reported a decrease in skin thickness and an increase in skin elasticity in the afternoon compared with the morning. This phenomenon may be associated with the effect of gravity on dermal fluids. There have been no reports on the diurnal variation in wrinkles on the face, and we now describe such a study. The subjects of this study included 38 healthy Japanese males and females (mean age 34 years). Wrinkles on their foreheads, in the corners of their eyes and in their nasolabial grooves were evaluated. Replicas were obtained and skin thickness and skin elasticity measured in the morning (0830-1000 hours) and in the afternoon (1530-1700 hours) of the same day. Image analysis of the replicas showed significant aggravation of wrinkles in all areas of the face in the afternoon compared with the morning. The results of skin thickness and skin elasticity were in agreement with those of our last study. Swelling tended to occur in the morning due to the effects of gravity during sleep. Therefore, wrinkles may be swollen in the morning. Furthermore, repeated movements of the face due to changes of facial expression may gradually increase wrinkle formation and depth from the morning to the afternoon.

Identification of a novel allele HLA-A*1113 in a Japanese donor.

Anew HLA-A*11 allele, A*1113, was identified in a healthy Japanese female. She was typed as HLA-A11?, A2, B46, B67, Cw1, Cw7 (Bw6) with unusual serological reactivity of A11, suggesting possible presence of a new A*11 allele. The novel A*1113 allele was identified by haplotypic group-specific allele amplification using A*11 allele-specific primer pairs and sequence-based typing. The A*1113 allele differs from A*11011 by one nucleotide substitution in exon 3 at position 503 (A --> G) which causes an amino acid change in the alfa2 domain at residue 144 (lysine : K --> arginine : R), thus resulting in the unusual serological reactivity.

Distinct locational differences observable in biophysical functions of the facial skin: with special emphasis on the poor functional properties of the stratum corneum of the perioral region

The face is composed of complicated anatomical components, presenting unique portions, such as the eyes, nose and mouth in a relatively narrow area. Moreover, the facial skin is densely populated by the pilosebaceous units and sweat glands, and its stratum corneum (SC) is much thinner than that of the trunk and limbs, although it is always exposed to the environment. Among various portions of the facial skin, some are more easily irritated than others by environmental stimuli, or are more often affected by certain dermatoses. However, the functional aspects of the different portions of the facial skin have not been studied in detail under a strictly controlled environment in sufficiently large numbers of subjects covering different age groups. Thus, we conducted studies in winter with various biophysical techniques, such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), as a parameter for SC barrier function, high-frequency conductance as that for skin surface hydration state, skin surface lipids, pH, blood flow and skin surface temperature on the forehead, mid-portion of the cheek (cheek in short), nasal tip (nose in short), nasolabial fold and chin of 20 healthy Japanese females aged 22-37 years (average 25 years) in a climate chamber adjusted to 21 degrees C and 50% relative humidity. Thereafter, we studied the influence of ageing on these biophysical parameters by collecting data of TEWL, high-frequency conductance and size of superficial corneocytes on the cheek, nasolabial fold and chin of 303 healthy Japanese female volunteers of different ages. The obtained results showed that the barrier function of the SC was best on the cheek, presenting the lowest TEWL, which was significantly higher on the nasolabial fold and chin than on the cheek. TEWL showed a decrease with age. In contrast, skin hydration state was higher on the nose, but it tended to be lower on the nasolabial fold, showing a mild age-related increase. The corneocytes on the nasolabial fold and chin were smaller than those on the cheek. They revealed a clear increase in size with age. Skin surface lipids were richest on the nose, whereas the superficial pH on the nose was the lowest among the regions tested. The skin temperature was lowest on the cheek than on other areas of the face; although, together with the nose, its blood flow was higher than that of the others. These data indicate great regional differences observable in SC functions on the face. In general, the SC barrier function increases with age, probably because of a decreased epidermal turnover rate as recognized by the increase in corneocyte size. Among the various sites, the skin of the nasolabial fold and chin, whose SC consisted of the smallest corneocytes, showed poorest SC properties in barrier function, suggesting the presence of mild invisible inflammation. It is understandable that this area easily develops not only the complaint of sensitive skin to cosmetics but also dermatitis because of various external agents.