Neutron Activation Analysis of Trace Elements in Skin.

Abstract

SUMMARY.— Manganese levels in normal epidermis and dermis from 34 cadavers were estimated by neutron activation analysis. The mean concentration of manganese in the epidermis was 4 times higher than that in the dermis. An important biological role of manganese in skin is suggested by the remarkably narrow range of concentration of that trace metal in the analysed samples.

Neutron activation analysis of trace elements in skin.

“…The dried specimens were irradiated together with a manganese standard inside a Pye AFM reactor for 2-3 h at a thermal neutron flux of 36 x 10'^ n cm"^ sec"'. Manganese activity in the samples was separated and counted in a multi-channel pulse height analyser (Molokhia & Portnoy, 1969). All material used in the collection or preparation of samples prior to irradiation was checked for their manganese content and found to contain insignificant amounts.…”

“…Manganese is an essential trace element with specific roles in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism (Underwood, 1971). The concentrations of this element in the epidermis were found to be among the highest in the body (Molokhia & Portnoy, 1969). Manganese levels were also found to vary from one region of skin to another, with the foreskin showing the highest and the plantar skin the lowest (Molokhia & Portnoy, 1970a).…”

“…However, no such systems had yet been identified in the skin apart from arginase, the activity of which was found to increase in the presence of manganese ions (Roberts & Frankel, 1949). The possible association of manganese with the main two enzyme-dependent processes in skin, namely keratinization and pigment formation, has been reviewed previously (Molokhia & Portnoy, 1969).…”