Photoaugmentation in the hairless mouse: a study using ornithine decarboxylase activity and alteration of DNA synthesis as markers of epidermal response.

Photoaugmentation is the potentiation of UVB-induced cutaneous erythema by UV irradiation. We have examined other cutaneous responses to UVB irradiation-the 4 hr depression of DNA synthesis, the 48 hr stimulation of DNA synthesis, and the induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), to determine whether these were also susceptible to augmentation by UVA, which does not cause these responses when administered alone. No photoaugmentation of DNA synthesis, stimulation or ODC induction occurred. The early depression of DNA synthesis was slightly augmented for this did not consistently reach significance.