Related Experiment Videos
Transepidermal water loss does not correlate with skin barrier function in vitro
Robert P Chilcott1, Christopher H Dalton, Andrew J Emmanuel
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, CBD Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. rchilcott@dstl.gov.uk
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|May 2, 2002
Summary
Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements do not reliably predict skin barrier function. Studies found no correlation between TEWL and skin permeability to water or sulfur mustard, suggesting TEWL may not be a definitive measure of barrier integrity.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Toxicology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is commonly used to assess skin barrier function.
- However, its direct correlation with skin permeability to various substances requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between TEWL and skin permeability to tritiated water (3H2O) and sulfur mustard.
- To determine if TEWL is a reliable indicator of overall skin barrier function.
Main Methods:
- In vitro experiments using human epidermal membranes and full-thickness pig skin.
- Measurement of basal TEWL rates.
- Assessment of skin permeability to 3H2O and sulfur mustard.
- Evaluation of TEWL and permeability after induced skin damage (tape stripping, needle punctures).
Main Results:
- No significant correlation was found between basal TEWL rates and skin permeability to 3H2O or sulfur mustard in human epidermal membranes (p = 0.72, p = 0.74).
- No correlation was observed between TEWL and 3H2O permeability in pig skin (p = 0.68).
- TEWL also did not correlate with 3H2O permeability after tape stripping (p = 0.64) or needle punctures (p = 0.13).
Conclusions:
- TEWL measurements alone may not be a sufficient or unconditional indicator of skin barrier function.
- Further research is needed to understand the precise significance of TEWL measurements in assessing skin barrier integrity.