• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.799-807
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• 2020

Background: The skin acts as a barrier to protect organisms against harmful exogenous agents. Compound K (CK) is an active metabolite of ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2 and Rc, and researchers have focused on its skin protective efficacy. In this study, we hypothesized that increased expression of the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type-5 (SPINK5) may improve skin barrier function. Methods: We screened several ginsenosides to increase SPINK5 gene promoter activity using a transactivation assay and found that CK can increase SPINK5 expression. To investigate the protective effect of CK on the skin barrier, RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to investigate the expression levels of SPINK5, kallikrein 5 (KLK5), KLK7 and PAR2 in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. Measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and histological changes associated with the skin barrier were performed in a UVB-irradiated mouse model and a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis-like model. Results: CK treatment increased the expression of SPINK5 and decreased the expression of its downstream genes, such as KLKs and PAR2. In the UVB-irradiated mouse model and the DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis model, CK restored increased TEWL and decreased hydration and epidermal hyperplasia. In addition, CK normalized the reduced SPINK5 expression caused by UVB or DNCB, thereby restoring the expression of the proteins involved in desquamation to a level similar to normal. Conclusions: Our data showed that CK contributes to improving skin-barrier function in UVB-irradiated and DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis-like models through SPINK5. These results suggest that therapeutic attempts with CK might be useful in treating barrier-disrupted diseases.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2013

Bicationic minerals such as calcium and magnesium are known to protect the skin barrier. The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the skin barrier protective effects of mineral water, which is composed of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and fluorine. UVB irradiation induces a destruction of tight junction (TJ) components. The TJ permeability barrier was also disrupted by UVB irradiation. We employed a skin equivalent model to assess the efficacy of mineral water in this regard. Mineral water maintained the structure of the skin equivalents following UVB irradiation. The results of the TJ permeability assay showed that mineral water helped to maintain the TJ permeability barrier after UVB irradiation in skin equivalent model. Mineral water supported the structure of TJ components and restored the occludin protein level in differentiated normal human keratinocytes after UVB irradiation. In conclusion, we found out the protective effect of mineral water against UVB irradiation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2015

Skin is the first line of defense for protecting our bodies against external perturbations, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, mechanical/chemical stress, and bacterial infection. Nutrition is one of many factors required for the maintenance of overall skin health. An impaired nutritional status alters the structural integrity and biological function of skin, resulting in an abnormal skin barrier. In particular, the importance of micronutrients (such as certain vitamins and minerals) for skin health has been highlighted in cell culture, animal, and clinical studies. These micronutrients are employed not only as active compounds in therapeutic agents for treating certain skin diseases, but also as ingredients in cosmetic products. Here, the author describes the barrier function of the skin and the general nutritional requirements for skin health. The goal of this review is to discuss the potential roles and current knowledge of selected micronutrients in skin health and function.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.277-282
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• 2011

The penetration of outside material into skin is not easy. It is since the skin, which is a very hard barrier, protects the body against outside chemical and physical stimulation. Microneedle system which can help improve drug penetration into skin is advancing variously in transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) in the field of skin care. After inserting microneedle into skin by using electrical or artificial forces, it makes microhole and drug penetration easily and induces natural skin rejuvenation. Diffusion and penetration of drug by optical and electrical force of microneedle is better for fast and effective TDDS. This is more developed than the traditional method such as the manual stamp, roller, and meso gun. The drug absorbed into dermal layer by microneedle helps revive and repair damaged skin. In the future, utilization of microneedle for skin care will progress constantly because of its human-friendly biodegradable materials and the development of the no pain microneedle.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.227-230
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• 2007

The multi-lamellar and liquid crystal structures have drawn great public attention in the functional cosmetic and skin-related medicinal areas recently. The structure of an emulsion containing aqueous phase as a binding water and fixed oil phase components forming an association compound of the multi-lamellar structure can reconstruct the intercellular lipid lamellar structure in the stratum corneum and restore barrier function of the skin. In this study, we investigated the beneficial effect of bio-mimic liquid crystal emulsions (BLCE) containing higher fatty alcohol, lecithin, and cholesterol on the skin barrier function, and evaluated its cytotoxicity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.330-339
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• 2008

Ceramide, cholesterol and free fatty acids are the major intercellular lipids, maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier. However, the roles of these lipids in canine skin barrier function are little known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the repairing effects of 2% ceramide (CER), 2% cholesterol (CHO), 2% linoleic acid (LIN) and 2% intercellular lipid mixture (ILM) on damaged canine skin barrier by 1.25% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, skin pH and skin thickness were assessed. Histological profiles and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) profiles were assessed on day 12. SLS effectively induced the canine skin barrier damage. TEWL was significantly decreased by topical application of CER and ILM in SLS and vehicle-treated skin on day 8 and 12, respectively (p < 0.05, p < 0.0 I). By end of the experiment all lipids significantly decreased the TEWL as compared with SLS and vehicle control, but CER and ILM more significantly decreased the TEWL than UN and CHO, respectively (p < 0.01). Skin hydration was significantly increased by CER and ILM during experimental periods (p < 0.01). Skin pH was significantly decreased by CER, LIN and ILM. In histological profiles, the thickness of the stratum corneum (SC) was significantly increased by the SC lipids as compared with vehicle and SLS (p < 0.01). Especially, CER and ILM showed more prominent improvement of barrier recovery. In TEM of the SC, SLS induced exfoliations of corneodesmosomes in the SC, and CER and ILM effectively protected exfoliations of corneodesmosomes on SLS-damaged canine skin. These results indicated that topical application of CER and ILM dramatically improved damaged-skin barrier function by SLS. Also, it was considered that the use of CER or ILM was recommended for the management of skin barrier dysfunction by irritant and inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.142-146
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to establish experimental canine skin barrier disruption model in dog. The study was designed to investigate the predictive properties of acetone damage using as effect parameters transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum (SC) hydration. To compare the structures of SC intercellular lipids in normal and acetone damaged skin, TEM observations were performed. Six clinically normal, male Beagles without dermatological problems were chosen for this study. Acetone damage was performed at 48hrs after clipping. Efficacy measurements for TEWL and skin hydration were performed before ($t_1$) and after ($t_2$) damage in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room ($2{0\sim}22^{\circ}C$, 50-60%). TEWL and SC hydration values were decreased in the acetone damaged model compared with non damaged skin. In TEM observation of acetone damaged sample, the intercellular lipid lamellae exhibit abnormal and incomplete structure compared with those of normal skin. It seems that acetone damage would be one of canine skin epidermal barrier disruption model for the study of canine atopic dermatitis (AD) as well as dry skin in veterinary dermatology research.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.197-204
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• 2003

The skin is a barrier between the living organism and its environment, and this barrier function resides in the stratum corneum. The main function of the stratum corneum is to serve as a barrier preventing the penetration of irritants and transepidermal water loss(TEWL). The rate of transepidermal water loss is a convenient parameter for expressing barrier function. Impaired barrier function was manifested by a greatly increased rate of transepidermal water loss. In atopic dermatitis the rate of transepidermal water lossis greatly increased transepidermal water loss. Medication of Gagampalmultang restored to normal the abnormally high rates of transepidermal water loss in the 104 patients with atopic dermatitis. It specifically plays an important role in regulating barrier function.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.395-400
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• 2017

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors, dysregulation of immunological response, as well as dysfunction of the skin barrier proteins. The purpose of this study is to develop an ELISA kit suitable for evaluating the expression of skin barrier proteins. Proteins were obtained from the skin via AriNo and D-Squame patches. The efficiency of protein collection from the skin, using the Arino patch, was shown to be more effective than using D-Squame; while the efficiency of lysis using 0.1% Triton-X100 was higher than that of other lysis solutions, including 0.1 M Tris-HCL, 0.1% Tween-20, and 5 mM KOH. Recombinant skin barrier proteins, such as filaggrin and involucrin, were produced by molecular biological methods. Monoclonal antibodies against filaggrin and involucrin were produced by immunization of mice, fusion of spleen cells and myeloma cells, as well as a selection of antibody-producing hybridoma cells. The filaggrin expression in the skin of subjects suffering from atopic dermatitis was lower than that in normal mice. Involucrin expression was not altered between normal individuals and subjects with atopic dermatitis. These findings contribute to an elucidation of the importance of the skin barrier protein expression in atopic dermatitis and the development of a diagnostic kit for atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2020

Psychological stress can affect the physiological condition of the skin and cause various cutaneous disorders. The stress hormone cortisol is secreted by various skin cells such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and melanocytes. Tight junctions (TJs) are cell-cell junctions that form a barrier in the stratum granulosum of mammalian skin. TJs can also affect other skin barriers and are affected by chemical, microbial, or immunological barriers. Stress can cause damage to the skin barrier. Interestingly, to our knowledge, there has not been any research demonstrating the involvement of TJs in this process. In this study, cortisol was used to treat keratinocytes to determine its role in regulating TJs. We found that cortisol damaged skin barrier function by regulating the gene expression and structure of TJ components. Cortisol also inhibited the development of the granular layer in a skin equivalent model. These results suggest that cortisol affects the skin barrier function by the regulation of TJs.