Relationships between transepidermal water loss, cutaneous microcirculatory function and autonomic nervous activity

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Physiology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Skin properties, microcirculation, and autonomic nervous activity are known to be impaired in various conditions.
• Previous research suggested these factors might be linked in pathological states.
• However, their relationship in healthy individuals remained uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the hypothesis that skin properties are related to cutaneous microcirculatory function and autonomic nervous activity.
• To investigate these relationships in healthy adult subjects.

Main Methods:

• Assessed skin properties: stratum corneum hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
• Measured cutaneous microcirculation via skin blood flow (SkBF) responsiveness to local warming.
• Analyzed autonomic nervous activity using 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and heart rate variability (HRV) indices (LF/HF and HF).

Main Results:

• Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) showed moderate negative correlation with SkBF responsiveness.
• TEWL was moderately correlated with autonomic nervous system indices (LF/HF and HF).
• Stratum corneum hydration did not correlate with microcirculation or autonomic activity indices.

Conclusions:

• Skin barrier function, cutaneous microcirculatory function, and autonomic nervous activity are mutually associated in healthy adults.
• These findings suggest an integrated physiological relationship between skin health and systemic regulation.