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Tranexamic acid suppresses ultraviolet B eye irradiation‐induced melanocyte activation by decreasing the levels of prohormone convertase 2 and alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone
Author(s) -
Hiramoto Keiichi,
Yamate Yurika,
Sugiyama Daijiro,
Takahashi Yumi,
Mafune Eiichi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1111/phpp.12131
Subject(s) - tranexamic acid , melanocyte stimulating hormone , endocrinology , medicine , proopiomelanocortin , prohormone , melanocyte , irradiation , chemistry , hormone , cancer research , surgery , melanoma , blood loss , physics , nuclear physics
Summary Background Tranexamic acid (trans‐4‐aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid) is a medicinal amino acid used in skin whitening care. This study examined the effects of tranexamic acid on the melanocyte activation of the skin induced by an ultraviolet ( UV ) B eye irradiation. Methods The eye or ear was locally exposed to UVB at a dose of 1.0 kJ/m 2 using a 20 SE sunlamp after covering the remaining body surface with aluminum foil. Results UVB eye irradiation induced melanocyte activation of the skin, similar to that observed following UVB ear irradiation, which was suppressed by the administration of tranexamic acid treatment. The plasma α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐ MSH ) content was increased by UVB irradiation of the eye; however, the increase in α‐ MSH was suppressed by tranexamic acid treatment. In addition, UVB eye irradiation induced the up‐regulation of prohormone convertase ( PC ) 2 in the pituitary gland. Meanwhile, the increase in PC2 induced by UVB eye irradiation was suppressed by tranexamic acid treatment. Conclusions These results clearly indicate that tranexamic acid decreases the expression of PC2 , which cleavages from proopiomelanocortin to α‐ MSH in the pituitary gland, thereby suppressing melanocyte activation.