Background: Specific species of ceramides (Cer), major constituents of lipids in the stratum corneum (SC), are\ndecreased and are correlated with SC barrier and water-holding functions in the skin of patients with atopic\ndermatitis (AD) or psoriasis (Pso). However, possible correlations between Cer subclass ratios and skin properties in\nbarrier-disrupted skin and in healthy skin remain unclear. The objective of this study was to identify a new marker\nto evaluate skin properties and epidermal differentiation in SC not only in barrier-disrupted skin but also in healthy\nskin.\nMethods: The Cer subclass ratios in the SC of healthy control subjects and in patients with AD or Pso were\nevaluated. Correlations with candidate markers and facial skin features of healthy Japanese females (20â??74 years old,\nn = 210) were investigated. Variations of markers during epidermal differentiation were studied in human epidermis\nand in cultured keratinocytes.\nResults: The ratios of Cer [NP]/[NS], Cer [NH]/[NS], Cer [NP]/[AS], Cer [NH]/[NS], Cer [NDS]/[AS], Cer [AH]/[AS] and\nCer [EOP]/[AS] showed significant differences between non-lesional skin of AD patients and normal skin of healthy\ncontrol subjects, as well as Pso patients and their healthy control subjects. The Cer [NP]/[NS] ratio was correlated\nwith SC functional parameters (transepidermal water loss and capacitance) and with skin appearance (texture,\nscaling and color) even in the cheek skin of healthy female subjects. The Cer [NP]/[NS] ratio in the SC was\napproximately 18-times higher than in living keratinocytes, and it increased as they differentiated.\nConclusions: The Cer [NP]/[NS] ratio in the SC is a potential marker for skin properties and epidermal differentiation\nin barrier-disrupted skin as well as in healthy skin.
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