Microdialysis can detect age-related differences in glucose distribution within the dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue.
BACKGROUND
Intrinsic (chronological) cutaneous aging is a continuous and complex process. Limitation in nutrient supply to the skin could contribute to this process.


OBJECTIVE
Our study focused on the impact of age on glucose supply to human skin and its distribution within the dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue.


METHODS
An oral glucose load (100 g) was given to healthy volunteers of two age groups (24 +/- 4 and 59 +/- 10 years, n = 4 for each group). Dialysate concentrations of glucose and glycerol were monitored by microdialysis in the dermis and adipose tissue.


RESULTS
Baseline tissue [glucose] did not differ significantly between the two groups. After the glucose load, dialysate [glucose] of the dermis peaked between 60 and 80 min and between 80 and 120 min in the young and old groups, respectively. In the old group, dialysate [glucose] was significantly higher in the dermis than adipose tissue at 80, 100, 120, 160 and 180 min after the load. The sum of the areas under the curve (dermis + adipose tissue) did not differ significantly between the two age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Aging is accompanied by an increased diffusion barrier for glucose between the dermis and adipose tissue.
Boschmann
M
M
German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany. boschman@www.dife.de
Murphy
F P
FP
Krueger
J G
JG
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D020405:Dermis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015314:Dialysis Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017551:Microdialysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D001786:Blood Glucose; D015314:Dialysis Solutions; D005947:Glucose; D005990:Glycerol