Effect of topically applied sphingomyelin-based liposomes on the ceramide level in a three-dimensional cultured human skin model

• Published in: Journal of liposome research 2010-03, Vol.20 (1), p.49-54
• Main Authors: Tokudome, Yoshihiro, Uchida, Raina, Yokote, Takeshi, Todo, Hiroaki, Hada, Nobuko, Kon, Tatsuhiko, Yasuda, Junko, Hayashi, Hidenori, Hashimoto, Fumie, Sugibayashi, Kenji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; ceramide; Ceramides - analysis; Ceramides - chemistry; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Epidermis - chemistry; Humans; liposome; Liposomes - analysis; Liposomes - chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; skin; Skin - chemistry; Sphingomyelin; Sphingomyelins - analysis; three-dimensional cultured human skin model
• ISSN: 0898-2104; 1532-2394
• DOI: 10.3109/08982100903062597

Sphingomyelin-based liposomes were prepared and applied to the stratum corneum side or basal layer side of a three-dimensional (3D) cultured human skin model, and the increase in the type II ceramide (ceramide II) content of the cultured skin model was evaluated. The sphingomyelin-based liposomes were prepared by a high-pressure emulsification method, and the obtained liposomes were characterized; the particle diameter and zeta potential of the liposomes were 155.3 nm and −11.4 mV, respectively. Their spherical shape and lamella structure were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The sphingomyelin-based liposomes or saline were applied to the cultured skin model, and ceramide II was extracted from the skin model. The extracted ceramide II was separated by high-performance thin-layer chromatography and quantified by a densitometer. The amount of ceramide II in the cultured skin model was significantly increased by the application of the sphingomyelin-based liposomes, compared with the nonapplication group. Thus, sphingomyelin-based liposomes are useful for enriching the ceramide level in 3D cultured skin models.