Structural modifications in the stratum corneum by effect of different solubilizing agents: A study based on high-resolution low-temperature scanningelectron microscopy

The action of different solubilizing agents (chloroform-methanol mixtures a nd the non-ionic surfactant octyl glucoside, OG) on the structural organiz ation of the stratum corneum (SC) was investigated by means of the double-l ayer high-resolution low-temperature scanning electron microscopy technique . Chloroform-methanol mixtures were able to remove mainly the lipid without a significant loss of cohesion in the SC tissue. However, OG treatment cau sed a partial disaggregation of the corneocytes and their envelopes and, at a macroscopic level, a loss of cohesion in the whole SC tissue. As for lip id domains, after OG treatment the formation of rough structures was detect ed, probably associated with the disorder in the lipid lamellae. The format ion of these new structures could be attributable to the interaction of the lipids with the proteins liberated from the corneocytes. Hence, a direct c orrelation may be established between the preservation of the structure of the corneocytes and the corneocyte envelope and the cohesion of the whole S C tissue. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.