EPIDERMAL LOCALIZATION AND PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF TOPICALLY APPLIED SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE

Data from the literature, as well as our previous work, indicate a pro tective effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in topical application ag ainst UV-induced cutaneous damage. In the present article we show that pre-treatment of the skin with SOD protects against PUVA-induced infl ammatory reactions not only in murine, but also in human skin. Using f luorescently labelled Cu,Zn SOD, epifluorescence microscopy and digita l Image processing, we demonstrate that the FITC fluorescence localize s in the stratum corneum and upper granulosa, as well as in the epider mal cell layer surrounding the lumina of the hair follicles. These fin dings were similar for murine and human skin. Since autofluorescence w as eliminated by a special filter, it can be ascertained that the fluo rescence observed in the tissues was due to FITC-labelled SOD.