Systematic evaluations of skin damage irradiated by an erbium:YAG laser: Histopathologic analysis, proteomic profiles, and cellular response

Pan, Tai-Long; Wang, Pei-Wen; Lee, Wan-Ruoh; Fang, Chia-Lang; Chen, Chih-Chieh; Huang, Chun-Ming; Fang, Jia-You

doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2010.02.001

« Previous Next »Journal of Dermatological Science
Volume 58, Issue 1 , Pages 8-18, April 2010

Systematic evaluations of skin damage irradiated by an erbium:YAG laser: Histopathologic analysis, proteomic profiles, and cellular response

Tai-Long Pan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Pei-Wen Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Wan-Ruoh Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Medical University-Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Chia-Lang Fang
- Department of Pathology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Chih-Chieh Chen
- Pharmaceutics Laboratory, Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Chun-Ming Huang
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 858 552 8585x3708.
Jia-You Fang
- Pharmaceutics Laboratory, Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Corresponding author at: Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 3 2118800x5521; fax: +886 3 2118236.

Received 11 September 2009; received in revised form 15 January 2010; accepted 4 February 2010. published online 12 July 2010.

Abstract

Background

The erbium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) laser is used for surgical resurfacing. It has ablative properties with water as its main chromophore.

Objective

This study attempted to establish the cutaneous effect and cellular response to Er:YAG laser irradiation using different fluences (7.5 and 15J/cm²).

Methods

Female nude mouse was used as the animal model in the study. Physiological parameters were examined and histology was evaluated at 4, 24 and 96h after laser exposure. A proteomic analysis and immunoblotting were also used to determine the mechanisms of the laser's effect on the skin.

Results

Both fluences were associated with a significant increase in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema (a*), and the skin pH at 4 and 24h. In contrast, at 96h, the levels of these parameters had generally decreased to the baseline. The histology examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed vacuolization, hydropic degeneration and epidermal necrosis of laser-irradiated skin. The higher fluence (15J/cm²) exhibited more-severe disruption of the skin. Bulous and scarring were observed in skin treated with the higher fluence during the recovery period. p53 and p21 proteins were significantly activated in skin following exposure to the laser. However, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cytokeratin expressions were downregulated by the low fluence (7.5J/cm²).