Darlenski Razvigor, Fluhr Joachim W
Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016;49:71-9. doi: 10.1159/000441587. Epub 2016 Feb 4.
The epidermal barrier, predominantly attributed to the stratum corneum (SC), is the outermost part of our body that comprises multiple defensive functions against exogenous attacks and the loss of body substances, e.g. water. A novel investigative method, in vivo Raman confocal spectroscopy (RCS), is employed to study the composition of the epidermal barrier and compounds penetrating the epidermis both in a space-resolved manner. By using this method, a semiquantitative analysis of skin barrier constituents can be evaluated, namely SC lipids, natural moisturizing factor components and sweat constituents. The technique enables to examine epidermal barrier impairment in experimental settings as well as the penetration of exogenous substances into the epidermis, e.g. retinol. RCS can reveal microcompositional changes in the skin barrier as a function of age. We also review the use of RCS in studying antioxidant defense components. This chapter discusses the application of in vivo RCS in the investigation of the epidermal barrier.
表皮屏障主要归因于角质层（SC），是我们身体的最外层，具有多种防御功能，可抵御外源性攻击并防止身体物质（如水）流失。一种新的研究方法，即体内拉曼共聚焦光谱（RCS），被用于以空间分辨的方式研究表皮屏障的组成以及穿透表皮的化合物。通过使用这种方法，可以对皮肤屏障成分进行半定量分析，即SC脂质、天然保湿因子成分和汗液成分。该技术能够在实验环境中检查表皮屏障损伤以及外源性物质（如视黄醇）穿透表皮的情况。RCS可以揭示皮肤屏障中随年龄变化的微观成分变化。我们还回顾了RCS在研究抗氧化防御成分方面的应用。本章讨论了体内RCS在表皮屏障研究中的应用。
