ISSN:
1600-0846
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background/aims: The evaluation of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is one of the methods most frequently used in studies involving skin water dynamics. However, TEWL does not provide a direct measurement of epidermal barrier function, being rather a surrogate effect of it. In particular, when external stimuli change cutaneous water balance, these stimuli must be taken into account in order to achieve a rigorous interpretation of the results. Since TEWL is primarily attributed to the water flux from the deepest layers of the skin, through the epidermis, and towards the external environment, this whole process is reasonably compliant with Fick's first law of diffusion. Within this perspective, the aim of this work was to develop a two compartment mathematical model capable of quantitatively describing cutaneous water mass balance over time and thus to provide practical and objective comparable parameters that are particularly useful for studies critically depending on a precise evaluation of TEWL.Methods: The theoretical basis for the proposed model was tested with data collected from different protocols that use TEWL as the main indicator of induced cutaneous alterations. Those alterations involved either external inputs or intrinsic changes on the cutaneous pathway capable of changing the whole water balance across the skin, either altering epidermal cohesion or promoting a significant influx of external water.Results: Both the evaporation and the hydration equilibrium processes, merged within the TEWL curve profiles, were thoroughly described in a quantitative fashion using a mathematical model. Direct parameters were calculated, such as kinetic rate constants (khydr and kevap) and half-life times (t1/2 hydr and t1/2 evap) chosen to describe the hydration and evaporation processes. Secondary parameters, such as time to reach the maximum and an area under the curve derived parameter, the dynamic water mass (DWM), were also calculated, providing additional data particularly useful for comparisons.Conclusion: Modelling TEWL experimental data in a compartmental analysis framework provides valuable parameterized information for characterising and comparing results. Numerical parameters derived on solid theoretical assumptions are reliable indicators for many situations, as long as those assumptions are not violated. The proposed bicompartmental model may also be suitable for other cutaneous water balance related variables, such as capacitance or conductance, although eventually based on distinct model assumptions. In any case, this modelling conceptualisation seems to render valuable insights into the kinetic description of the main processes involved in the net evaporation and water distribution within the complex human skin hydration process.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0846.1999.tb00119.x
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