EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE ULTRAVIOLET-A INCLUDING 2-PERCENT ULTRAVIOLET-B ON FREE-RADICAL REDUCTION SYSTEMS IN HAIRLESS MICE

Chronic ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is known to cause a variety of changes in the skin, including wrinkles, pigmented spots and carcinogenesis. To explore time dependent changes in several parameters with chronic UV irradiation, we examined the molecular changes in connective tissue, intracellular defence enzymes and free radical antioxidant substances in hairless mice skin caused by chronic exposure to UV-A including 2% UV-B. Connective tissue changes were estimated using hydroxyproline and isodesmosine assays as a measure of collagen and elastin concentrations, respectively. After 6 weeks irradiation, the insoluble collagen and elastin were both substantially elevated, as were the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Continued UV irradiation resulted in a steady decline in SOD and lipid soluble antioxidants, while the GSH-Px remained elevated, suggesting that SOD and lipid soluble antioxidants in the skin may be involved in protecting it from UV damage and deteriorate with chronic irradiation.