Open AccessComparison of cathepsin L activity in cheek and forearm stratum corneum in young female adults
Author(s) -
Yamaguchi Masaki,
Tahara Yusuke,
Makino Teruhiko,
Shimizu Tadamichi,
Date Akira
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2009.00373.x
Subject(s) - stratum corneum , chemistry , forearm , chromatography , anatomy , medicine , pathology
Purpose: The objective is to determine the usefulness of cathepsin L (Cat L) activity derived from the stratum corneum as an index of skin conditions by comparing the cheek and the forearm, in 20 female young adults. Methods: The sebum quantity, hydration index, melanin index and pH were measured with a sensor system consisting of a sebumeter, a corneometer, a mexameter and a pH meter. The stratum corneum was collected using tape stripping. Cat L and total protein (TP) were analyzed and the Cat L/TP ratio was calculated. Results: Our results indicated that (i) chronic sun exposure causes an increase in Cat L activity; and (ii) in order to cancel out the influence of the collecting technique, it is very important to measure the Cat L/TP ratio. Conclusion: It is considered that the Cat L/TP ratio may be a useful index of the skin conditions in humans.