Lipid composition of outer stratum corneum in hereditary palmoplantar keratodermas.
BACKGROUND
The analysis of lipid composition of the outer stratum corneum is a promising approach to study the pathophysiology of inherited disorders of keratinization.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was the search for biochemical alterations of stratum corneum lipids in hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK).


METHODS
Using high-performance thin-layer chromatography, we performed an analysis of all major stratum corneum lipid classes in scales of 29 patients with 8 different types of hereditary PPK.


RESULTS
In comparison to the controls, slight differences in the lipid pattern were found in all keratodermas. Reduced amounts of total ceramides and increased levels of free fatty acids were noted in nearly all types.


CONCLUSIONS
The study indicates that the abnormal composition of stratum corneum lipids in PPK is probably not caused by genetic defects of the epidermal lipid metabolism, but it appears to represent an epiphenomenon of a disturbed cornification.
Küster
Wolfgang
W
Department of Dermatology, TOMESA Clinics, Bad Salzschlirf, Germany. kuester@tomesa.de
Melnik
Bodo
B
Traupe
Heiko
H
Hamm
Henning
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002518:Ceramides / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004817:Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007645:Keratoderma, Palmoplantar / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010214:Papillon-Lefevre Disease / Q000378:metabolism
D002518:Ceramides; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D008055:Lipids