Topical stratum corneum lipids accelerate barrier repair after tape stripping, solvent treatment and some but not all types of detergent treatment

Abstract

Summary Topical act‐tone treatment extracts lipids from the stratum corneum. and disrupts the permeability barrier, resulting in a homeostatic response in the viable epidermis that ultimately repairs the barrier. Recently, we have developed an optimal lipid mixture (cholesterol, ceramide. palmitate and linoleate 4–3:2.3:1:1.08) that, when applied topically, accelerates barrier repair following extensive disruption of the barrier by acetone. The present study determined if topical treatment with this optimal lipid mixture would have beneticial effects following disruption of the barrier by petroleum ether, tape stripping, or by detergent treatment. Also, we determined if barrier repair was accelerated after moderate disturbances of barrier function. Following moderate or extensive disruption of the barrier by acetone or petroleum ether (solvents), or tape stripping (mechanical), application of the optimal lipid mixture accelerated barrier repair. Additionally, following barrier disruption with V‐laurosarcosine free acid or dodecylbenzensulphuric acid (detergents), the optimal lipid mixture similarly accelerated barrier repair. However, following disruption of the barrier with different detergents, sodium dodecyl sulphate and ammonium lauryl sulphosuccinate. the optimal lipid mixture did not improve barrier recovery. Thus, the optimal lipid mixture is capable of accelerating barrier repair following disruption of the barrier by solvent treatment or tape stripping (mechanical), and by certain detergents such as Sarkosyl and dodecylbenzensulphuric acid. The ability of the opiimal lipid mixture to accelerate barrier repair after both moderate and extensive degrees of barrier disruption suggests a potential clinical use for this approach.

Thematic review series: Skin Lipids. The role of epidermal lipids in cutaneous permeability barrier homeostasis

“…When one topically applies a lipid mixture containing equimolar concentrations of all three essential lipids, permeability barrier recovery after acute disruption is normal (128)(129)(130). In contrast, topical application of any one or two of the three key lipids to acutely perturbed skin actually results in a delay in permeability barrier repair associated with abnormal-appearing lamellar bodies (128)(129)(130).…”

“…In contrast, topical application of any one or two of the three key lipids to acutely perturbed skin actually results in a delay in permeability barrier repair associated with abnormal-appearing lamellar bodies (128)(129)(130). Both complete and incomplete mixtures of the three key lipids rapidly traverse the stratum corneum and are taken up by stratum granulosum cells, thereby markedly altering the molar distribution of lipids, leading to abnormalities in the formation of lamellar bodies (128)(129)(130). Along similar lines, chronic topical treatment with statins also results in abnormalities in lamellar body structure and permeability barrier homeostasis (57,131).…”

“…When one topically applies a lipid mixture containing equimolar concentrations of all three essential lipids, permeability barrier recovery after acute disruption is normal (128)(129)(130). In contrast, topical application of any one or two of the three key lipids to acutely perturbed skin actually results in a delay in permeability barrier repair associated with abnormal-appearing lamellar bodies (128)(129)(130). Both complete and incomplete mixtures of the three key lipids rapidly traverse the stratum corneum and are taken up by stratum granulosum cells, thereby markedly altering the molar distribution of lipids, leading to abnormalities in the formation of lamellar bodies (128)(129)(130).…”

Effects of Serine Palmitoyltransferase Inhibitor ISP-I on the Stratum Corneum of Intact Mouse Skin

“…1) Application of a SPT inhibitor to the skin disrupted by tape-stripping or acetone treatment showed a marked delay in the recovery of SC barrier function. 2,3) We previously reported that application of ISP-I to UVB-irradiated mouse dorsal skin decreased TEWL, despite the fact that ISP-I inhibits SPT and ceramide synthesis, which suggested that this phenomenon may be due to an increase in the number of SC layers in ISP-I-treated skin. 10) To date, no study is available regarding the effects of SPT modification on intact skin, as work has been limited to tape-stripped, acetone-treated, or UVB-irradiated skin.…”

“…Therefore, SPT is considered a key enzyme in the regulation of sphingolipid levels involved in ceramide production and it affects the epidermal barrier function. Holleran et al 2) and Yang et al 3) demonstrated that the application of a SPT inhibitor resulted in the delayed barrier recovery of mouse skin disrupted by tape-stripping and acetone treatment. However, the effect of SPT inhibition on SC barrier function in the intact skin has not yet been elucidated.…”