Topical Application of Galgeunhwanggeumhwangryeon-Tang Recovers Skin-Lipid Barrier and Ameliorates Inflammation via Filaggrin-Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin-Interleukin 4 Pathway

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of Galgeunhwanggeumhwangryeon-tang (GGRT) on the skin barrier integrity and inflammation in an atopic dermatitis-like animal model. Materials and Methods: The model was established using lipid barrier elimination (LBE) in BALB/c mice. Ceramide 3B, a control drug, and GGRT were applied to the skin of LBE mice. Gross observation and histological examination were combined with measurement of skin score, trans-epidermal water loss, and pH. The expression of filaggrin, kallikrein-related peptidase 7 (KLK7), protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and interleukin 4 (IL-4) was examined. Results: The effect of GGRT on atopic dermatitis was estimated in silico using two individual gene sets of human atopic dermatitis. In animal experiments, GGRT treatment reduced atopic dermatitis-like symptoms, as confirmed via gross and histological observations, skin score, pH change, and trans-epidermal water loss. The expression level of filaggrin increased in the skin of GGRT-treated mice compared to that in the LBE group. The expression levels of KLK7, PAR2, TSLP, and IL-4 were decreased in GGRT-treated mice skin compared to those in LBE mice. Conclusions: We demonstrated that GGRT restored the skin barrier and reduced inflammatory reactions in a murine model of atopic dermatitis.

Transcriptomic responses and survival mechanisms of staphylococci to the antimicrobial skin lipid sphingosine

Sphingosines are antimicrobial lipids that form part of the innate barrier to skin colonisation by microbes. Sphingosine deficiencies can result in increased epithelial infections by bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus . Recent studies have focused on the potential use of sphingosine resistance or its potential mechanisms. We used RNA-Seq to identify the common D-sphingosine transcriptomic response of the transient skin coloniser S. aureus and the dominant skin coloniser S. epidermidis . A common D-sphingosine stimulon was identified that included downregulation of the SaeSR two-component system (TCS) regulon and upregulation of both the VraSR TCS and CtsR stress regulons. We show that the PstSCAB phosphate transporter, and VraSR offer intrinsic resistance to D-sphingosine. Further, we demonstrate increased sphingosine resistance in these staphylococci evolves readily through mutations in genes encoding the FarE-FarR efflux/regulator proteins. The ease of selecting mutants with resistance to sphingosine may impact upon staphylococcal colonisation of skin where the lipid is present and have implications with topical therapeutic applications.

Anatomy and Histologic of Intrinsic Aging Skin

Aging is an inevitable and dynamic biological process that is characterized by the progressive deterioration of body systems and declines in physiological reserve capacity. Aging skin has distinct two types: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic changes reduce collagen production, blood flow, amount of skin lipid, and loss of rete ridges. Intrinsic aging or chronological aging is cannot be restored to the skin with characterized by sagging skin and some expression of excess wrinkling lines. Intrinsic aging changes in thickness and characteristics of the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Histologically, epidermis thinner by leveling off the dermo-epidermal junction. In the dermis, collagen fibers become thicker and irregular than younger skin, reducing the elasticity of the skin, while hypodermis reduces lipid volume.

Effects of (R)- and (S)-α-Hydroxylation of Acyl Chains in Sphingosine, Dihydrosphingosine, and Phytosphingosine Ceramides on Phase Behavior and Permeability of Skin Lipid Models

Ceramides (Cers) with α-hydroxylated acyl chains comprise about a third of all extractable skin Cers and are required for permeability barrier homeostasis. We have probed here the effects of Cer hydroxylation on their behavior in lipid models comprising the major SC lipids, Cer/free fatty acids (C 16-C 24)/cholesterol, and a minor component, cholesteryl sulfate. Namely, Cers with (R)-α-hydroxy lignoceroyl chains attached to sphingosine (Cer AS), dihydrosphingosine (Cer AdS), and phytosphingosine (Cer AP) were compared to their unnatural (S)-diastereomers and to Cers with non-hydroxylated lignoceroyl chains attached to sphingosine (Cer NS), dihydrosphingosine (Cer NdS), and phytosphingosine (Cer NP). By comparing several biophysical parameters (lamellar organization by X-ray diffraction, chain order, lateral packing, phase transitions, and lipid mixing by infrared spectroscopy using deuterated lipids) and the permeabilities of these models (water loss and two permeability markers), we conclude that there is no general or common consequence of Cer α-hydroxylation. Instead, we found a rich mix of effects, highly dependent on the sphingoid base chain, configuration at the α-carbon, and permeability marker used. We found that the model membranes with unnatural Cer (S)-AS have fewer orthorhombically packed lipid chains than those based on the (R)-diastereomer. In addition, physiological (R)-configuration decreases the permeability of membranes, with Cer (R)-AdS to theophylline, and increases the lipid chain order in model systems with natural Cer (R)-AP. Thus, each Cer subclass makes a distinct contribution to the structural organization and function of the skin lipid barrier.

Occupational Exposure to Vegetable Oil: a Risk Factor of Blood Lipid Disorder

Introduction: Few pieces of evidence are available about the association between occupational exposure to vegetable oil and the risk of blood lipid problems. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between exposure to vegetable oil and blood lipid profile in a vegetable oil factory. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was carried out on 30 male workers exposed to vegetable oil as an exposed group and 30 male office workers as an unexposed group in a vegetable oil factory. Blood lipid profiles as total cholesterol, triglycerides, Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) were measured by analyzing the blood samples in both groups in a clinical laboratory. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, body weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), and physical activity. The results showed significantly higher mean levels of triglyceride and LDL in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group (P < 0.001), while HDL mean levels in the exposed group were significantly lower than the unexposed group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings revealed the possible association between blood lipid disorders and occupational exposures to vegetable oil. Further researches are proposed to study the mechanisms of occupational respiratory and skin lipid absorptions in different types of vegetable oils.

Transcriptomic responses and survival mechanisms of staphylococci to the antimicrobial skin lipid sphingosine

Sphingosines are antimicrobial lipids that form part of the innate barrier to skin colonisation by microbes. Sphingosine deficiencies can result in increased epithelial infections by bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus. Recent studies have focused on the potential use of sphingosines as novel therapeutic agents, but there have been no investigations into sphingosine resistance or its potential mechanisms. We used RNA-Seq to identify the common D-sphingosine transcriptomic response of the transient skin coloniser S. aureus and the dominant skin coloniser S. epidermidis. A common D-sphingosine stimulon was identified that included downregulation of the SaeSR two-component system (TCS) regulon and upregulation of both the VraSR TCS and CtsR stress regulons. We show that the PstSCAB phosphate transporter, and VraSR offer intrinsic resistance to D-sphingosine. Further, we demonstrate increased sphingosine resistance in these staphylococci evolves readily through mutations in genes encoding the FarE-FarR efflux/regulator proteins. The ease of selecting mutants with resistance to sphingosine may impact upon staphylococcal colonisation of skin where the lipid is present and have implications with topical therapeutic applications.