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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
09:32
Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach
Published on: September 26, 2019
Ethnicity and stratum corneum ceramides
J M Jungersted1, J K Høgh, L I Hellgren
1Department of Dermatology, Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Hospital, 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark.
The British Journal of Dermatology
|November 3, 2010
Summary
Healthy individuals of different ethnicities exhibit varying ceramide/cholesterol ratios in their skin
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and genetics research.
- Skin barrier function and lipidomics.
Background:
- Skin barrier function relies on stratum corneum lipids; atopic eczema (AE) shows altered lipid profiles.
- Global AE prevalence suggests environmental influence, while filaggrin studies indicate genetic factors.
- Exploring the interplay of environment and genetics in skin conditions is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate stratum corneum lipid differences among healthy individuals of diverse ethnicities.
- To determine if ethnicity influences skin lipid composition in a shared environment.
Main Methods:
- Healthy participants of Asian, African, and Danish (white-skinned) origin were recruited in Denmark.
- Stratum corneum ceramide profiles were analyzed using the cyanoacrylate method and high-performance thin-layer chromatography.
- Ceramide/cholesterol ratios and individual ceramide subgroups were quantified.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant differences in the ceramide/cholesterol ratio were observed between ethnic groups.
- Asians exhibited the highest ceramide/cholesterol ratio, followed by white-skinned individuals, and then Africans.
- No significant differences were found in specific ceramide subgroups across the ethnicities.
Conclusions:
- Distinct ceramide/cholesterol ratios exist among healthy individuals of different ethnicities.
- These findings suggest underlying genetic variations influencing skin lipid composition.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the genetic basis of these ethnic differences in skin lipids.
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