Background and Objective: To determine how much barrier-reinforcing effects of ceramides contribute to prevent the surfactant-induced cutaneous deterioration. Methods: We compared the effects of topical application of two types of pseudoceramides on cutaneous deterioration induced by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment for 10 days in association with alterations of barrier function. Results: Daily application of pseudoacylceramide immediately after each SDS treatment significantly prevented the marked elevation of transepidermal water loss, which was accompanied by a marked abrogation of the increased expression in intercellular adhesion molecule 1 by epidermal cells as well as by suppressed epidermal hyperplasia. In contrast, topical application of a nonacylated pseudoceramide with poor barrier-reinforcing potential showed less preventive effects on cutaneous deterioration. Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that perturbation of the skin barrier is a causative factor in surfactant-induced cutaneous changes and that reinforcing the barrier function by ceramide application is effective in preventing the surfactant-induced skin deterioration.

Keywords:
Acylceramide, Sodium dodecyl sulfate, Transepidermal water loss, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1
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2005
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