EPIDERMAL REGENERATION AND OCCLUSION

Disruption of the stratum corneum, by tape stripping or chemical injur y, results in epidermal recovery of the skin barrier. In human skin, 4 0-48 h after surface trauma, epidermal proliferation is maximal. In a previous study in mice, occlusion with plastic or the hydrocolloid Duo derm proved to inhibit the regenerative response. The aim of the prese nt investigation was to find out whether occlusion modulates epidermal proliferation following removal of the stratum corneum in normal heal thy volunteers by sellotape stripping. Epidermal proliferation was ass essed, using a multiparameter approach, by measuring ornithine decarbo xylase activity, keratin 16 expression and DNA synthesis. Following ta pe stripping without subsequent occlusion, ornithine decarboxylase act ivity, keratin 16 expression and DNA synthesis were induced to the sam e extent as observed in previous studies. However, in contrast to the experiments in mice, no indication of a modulation of these responses was observed by the application of the hydrocolloids Duoderm and Comfe el. In human skin, a direct effect of the artificial restoration of th e skin barrier on epidermal regeneration remains unsubstantiated.