title: Topical application of superoxide dismutase mediated by HIV-TAT peptide attenuates UVB-induced damages in human skin.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether topical application of superoxide dismutase with cell penetrating peptide (HIV-TAT) could protect against skin damage induced by UVB irradiation in humans. The permeability through stratum corneum of large proteins linked to TAT peptide was firstly confirmed by confocal microscopy and tape stripping. Ten healthy volunteers with either Fitzpatrick skin type II or III were recruited in this clinical study. TAT-SOD (300units/cm(2)) and vehicle cream were applied on two symmetric areas of both inner upper arms 1h prior to UVB irradiation. After one hour of pretreatment, subjects received 10 incremental doses of UVB on pretreated areas. 24h later, erythema, blood flow and apoptotic cells were measured. Pretreatment with TAT-SOD 1h prior to UVB radiation promoted a mean minimal erythema dose (MED) increase of 36.6±18.4% (p=0.013<0.05. n=10) compared to vehicle control. The median blood flow values of all subjects following 2 and 3-MED of UVB were 107.8±51.0units and 239.5±88.0units respectively, which account for 26% and 25% decrease with respect to vehicle groups. These data suggest that TAT-SOD significantly suppresses UVB induced erythema formation and blood flow rise. Furthermore, pretreatment with TAT-SOD 1h prior to 2-MED of UVB irradiation reduced the apoptotic sunburn cell formation by 47.6±8.6% (p<0.0001) in all subjects. Evaluating results generated from all measurements, we conclude that topical application of TAT-SOD significantly attenuates UVB-induced skin damage in man. These biological effects of TAT-SOD are probably mediated via its free radical scavenging properties, clearly differentiating it from other physical sunscreen agents.
authors.affiliation: College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Fuzhou University, 2 Xue Yuan Road, University Town, 350116 Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China; The University of Edinburgh, Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, Queens Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Xiaochao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Fuzhou University, 2 Xue Yuan Road, University Town, 350116 Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shutao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Fuzhou University, 2 Xue Yuan Road, University Town, 350116 Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Pingfan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: The University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.affiliation: The University of Edinburgh, Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, Queens Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: r.weller@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weller
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D004890:Erythema / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010539:Permeability; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase
keywords: Blood flow; Erythema; HIV-TAT peptide; Sunburn cell; Superoxide dismutase; Tape stripping; Transdermal delivery; Ultraviolet