Preclinical Evaluation of the Effect of Infrared-A Radiation and Visible Light on the Melanogenesis Process Using an In Vitro Model of Cell Cultures and an Ex Vivo Model of Skin Culture

Author: Samara Eberlin

Published at: November 02, 2016

IFSCC Magazine 19(2), 69-72, 2016.
http://www.ifscc.org/Media/Default/PDFs/IFSCC%20Magazine%200216.pdf
Eberlin S, Clerici SP, Eberlin S, Pinheiro ALTA, Pinheiro AS.

Skin pigmentation is dependent on both the increased number of melanocytes as the increase on melanogenic enzymes. Exposure to sunlight can increase the production of factors such as melanocyte stimulating hormone and endothelin-1, which trigger the melanization of the skin. In addition to ultraviolet light, studies also show that the infrared radiation and visible light promote changes in skin pigmentation. In this work, we evaluated the consequences of ultraviolet A and B (UVA/UVB), infrared-A (IR-A), and visible light (VL) irradiation on melanin and endothelin-1 synthesis, using an in vitro model of melanocyte and keratinocyte cultures, and an ex vivo model of skin culture. All radiations (UV, IR-A, VL, and association of radiations) produced a significant increase in melanin production when compared to non-irradiated control. UV radiation, VL, and the association of all radiation produced a significant increase in the production of endothelin-1 when compared to non-irradiated control. Skin fragments subjected to all radiation had a higher melanin density in comparison with control fragments. Our results corroborate previous data from the literature and indicated the need for specific photoprotection strategies which are not addressed by the available conventional sunscreens.