Collagen loss in photoaged human skin is overestimated by histochemistry

Citation
Lh. Kligman et al., Collagen loss in photoaged human skin is overestimated by histochemistry, PHOTODERM P, 16(5), 2000, pp. 224-228
Citations number
13
Categorie Soggetti
Dermatology
Journal title
PHOTODERMATOLOGY PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE
ISSN journal
09054383 → ACNP
Volume
16
Issue
5
Year of publication
2000
Pages
224 - 228
Database
ISI
SICI code
0905-4383(200010)16:5<224:CLIPHS>2.0.ZU;2-G
Abstract
It is well known that photoaged skin is characterized by increases in derma l matrix components that include glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and mass es of abnormal elastic fibers accompanied by substantial collagen loss. His tochemical staining of such tissue gives the impression of "massive" loss o f collagen and its replacement by these other matrix components. Early bioc hemical studies have lent support to this notion with a reported decrease i n total collagen of similar to 45% compared to protected skin. More recent studies report considerably less, but varying, amounts of collagen loss, Ra rely have the two approaches, histo-chemistry and biochemical analysis, bee n used in the same study to examine the same tissue. In this study, collage n loss was quantified biochemically in paired biopsies from sun-protected a nd sun-exposed arm skin of moderately photoaged female subjects (age 51-77 years). The values obtained mere compared with histochemical and immunochem ical findings. Quantitatively, collagen loss on a per mg protein basis mas small compared to the histochemical appearance.