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Electron probe analysis of human skin: element concentration profiles.
R R Warner1, M C Myers, D A Taylor
1Procter and Gamble Co., Miami Valley Laboratories, Cincinnati, Ohio 45239-8707.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Human skin
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The human skin's stratum corneum acts as a crucial barrier.
- Understanding elemental distribution is key to skin barrier function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the concentration profiles of key inorganic elements within human skin cells.
- To investigate how element distribution changes across the stratum corneum.
Main Methods:
- Electron probe analysis (EPA) and analytical electron microscopy (AEM) were employed.
- Elemental concentrations were determined within individual cells across skin layers.
Main Results:
- Uniform element concentrations (Na, P, S, Cl, K) were observed in viable skin tissue.
- Stratum corneum showed diverse profiles: P was absent, S increased outward due to water loss, K was excluded from inner layers.
- Significant gradients for K, Na, and Cl were found in the outer stratum corneum, potentially from sweat salts.
Conclusions:
- The stratum corneum's elemental diversity suggests specialized barrier functions.
- Recycling of intracellular solutes (K, P, water) in viable tissue may support the stratum corneum.
- Altered recirculation patterns could regulate skin physiology.