vitamin d synthesis in skin layer

Schick P. Megaloblastic Anemia. The responses of the human epidermal melanocyte system to chronic erythemal doses of UVR in skin protected by topical applications of a combination of vitamins C and E. Pigment Cell Res. Vitamin D is the only vitamin that the human body can produce entirely on its own! 1993;7(4):1269-1281. While the greatest effect was seen when vitamin E was applied immediately after UV exposure, one study showed a significant effect of application eight hours after the insult (49). Vitamin E is also found as vitamin E conjugates that increase stability but require cellular metabolism for activation. J Nutr. Written in February 2012 by: The epidermis is the relatively thin, tough, outer layer of the skin. Warfarin inhibits the vitamin K-dependent synthesis of clotting factors and proteins. Effect of vitamin E deficiency on collagen metabolism in the rat's skin. Long-term studies with topical vitamin E are needed to establish if these moisturizing effects can be sustained. The effects of antioxidants on skin tumor initiation and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase. 2010;103(10):1493-1498.  (PubMed), 5.  Ekanayake-Mudiyanselage S, Kraemer K, Thiele JJ.  (PubMed), 76.  Tsoureli-Nikita E, Hercogova J, Lotti T, Menchini G. Evaluation of dietary intake of vitamin E in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: a study of the clinical course and evaluation of the immunoglobulin E serum levels. 307 Linus Pauling Science Center 2005;125(4):826-832.  (PubMed), 3.  Thiele JJ, Traber MG, Packer L. Depletion of human stratum corneum vitamin E: an early and sensitive in vivo marker of UV induced photo-oxidation. Together, the application of these antioxidants to the skin of animals before UV exposure has been shown to decrease sunburned cells (61, 62), decrease DNA damage (61, 63), inhibit erythema (61, 64), and decrease skin pigmentation after UV exposure (64). D’Souza RM, D’Souza R. Vitamin A for treating measles in children. However, no studies have demonstrated a positive effect of vitamin E supplementation on wound repair in normal skin.  (PubMed), 41.  Yamada Y, Obayashi M, Ishikawa T, Kiso Y, Ono Y, Yamashita K. Dietary tocotrienol reduces UVB-induced skin damage and sesamin enhances tocotrienol effects in hairless mice.  (PubMed), 59.  Montenegro L, Bonina F, Rigano L, Giogilli S, Sirigu S. Protective effect evaluation of free radical scavengers on UVB induced human cutaneous erythema by skin reflectance spectrophotometry. J Invest Dermatol. Many of these anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin E supplementation have been reported in combination with its photoprotective effects, making it difficult to distinguish an anti-inflammatory action from an antioxidant action that would prevent inflammation from initially occurring. Environmental pollutants like ozone can decrease vitamin E levels in the skin (6, 11, 12) and lead to free radical damage that may compound the effects of UV exposure (12). Effect of vitamin E on plasma malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzyme levels and the rates of wound closures during wound healing in normal and diabetic rats. Some forms of vitamin E, especially ester conjugates, have led to adverse reactions in the skin, including allergic contact dermatitis and erythema. Biotin is a coenzyme in all carboxylase enzyme complexes that are not vitamin K-dependent. Prevention of photocarcinogenesis by dietary vitamin E. Nutr Cancer. Vitamin E conjugates, however, do not have antioxidant functions. 2007;211(2):241-251. 2009;98(7):2364-2376. 1993;19(2):125-133. In humans, levels of vitamin E in the epidermis are higher than the dermis (1). 1997;65(3):587-592. Morkbak AL, Poulsen SS, Nexo E. Haptocorrin in humans. 1997;401(2-3):167-170. Pigment Cell Res. 2004;1031:184-194. J Control Release. Thus, improving the stability of topical applications with vitamin E is important. The skin’s barrier, or acid mantle, is naturally slightly acidic, with a pH hovering around 4.5 to 5.5. Medication Effects on Fecal Occult Blood Testing.  (PubMed), 52.  Beijersbergen van Henegouwen GM, Junginger HE, de Vries H. Hydrolysis of RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E acetate) in the skin and its UV protecting activity (an in vivo study with the rat). Although tocopherols and tocotrienols are available from the diet, α-tocopherol is the primary form of vitamin E found and maintained in the body, due to the specificity of a transport protein for α-tocopherol (see the article on Vitamin E). Inhibitory effects of vitamin E on collagen synthesis and wound repair. Although molecules in the vitamin E family can absorb light in the UVB spectrum, the “sunscreen” activity of vitamin E is considered limited since it cannot absorb UVA light or light in higher wavelengths of the UVB spectrum (25).  (PubMed), 12.  Valacchi G, Weber SU, Luu C, Cross CE, Packer L. Ozone potentiates vitamin E depletion by ultraviolet radiation in the murine stratum corneum. Overview of water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin A should be given to measles patients with vitamin A deficiency to boost their immune system and reduce the risk of complications and mortality, especially in countries where vitamin A deficiency is endemic. Vitamin E first accumulates in the sebaceous glands before it is delivered to the skin surface through sebum (5, 6). Br J Dermatol. In: Post TW, ed. Radiat Environ Biophys. alpha-Tocopherol, an inhibitor of epidermal lipid peroxidation, prevents ultraviolet radiation from suppressing the skin immune system. 1998;38(1):45-48. However, although it is increased after topical delivery, the concentration of vitamin E in the dermis is lower than in the stratum corneum. Richard L. Dunbar and Joel M. Gelfand. J Invest Dermatol. Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis of Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency. Scanning Microsc. Topical application can also supply the skin with vitamin E and may provide specific vitamin E forms that are not available from the diet. Patient education: Vitamin D deficiency (Beyond the Basics). Ann Surg. J Invest Dermatol.  (PubMed), 39.  Fuchs J, Kern H. Modulation of UV-light-induced skin inflammation by D-alpha-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid: a clinical study using solar simulated radiation. 2008;59(3):418-425. A balanced diet typically supplies the body with all vitamins it requires.  (PubMed), 21.  Kosari P, Alikhan A, Sockolov M, Feldman SR. Vitamin E and allergic contact dermatitis. 2003;77(2):348-355. Corvallis, Oregon 97331, phone: 541-737-5075 | fax: 541-737-5077 Lane M, Alfrey CP Jr. J Invest Dermatol. Role of dietary factors in the development of basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer of the skin. Photodamage of the skin: protection and reversal with topical antioxidants. In: Besa EC. Frye RE. 2000;466(1):165-168.  (PubMed), 65.  Dreher F, Gabard B, Schwindt DA, Maibach HI. Overview of vitamin E. In: Post TW, ed. In malnourished or alcohol-dependent patients, always administer thiamine before giving dextrose to decrease the risk of precipitating or exacerbating Wernicke encephalopathy. The primary role of vitamin E in the skin is to prevent damage induced by free radicals and reactive oxygen species; therefore, the use of vitamin E in the prevention of UV-induced damage has been extensively studied. Inhibition of ultraviolet light-induced erythema by antioxidants. J Control Release. 1998;33(1):87-91. Lipids.  (PubMed), 54.  Slaga TJ, Bracken WM. 1991;65(6):490-494. 1989;121(1):43-49. 1997;18(8):1617-1622. Since the stratum corneum contains metabolically inactive cells and the remaining layers of the epidermis and dermis may contain a large volume of extracellular proteins, it is unclear how efficiently ester conjugates are converted to “free” vitamin E in skin.  (PubMed), 36.  van der Pols JC, Heinen MM, Hughes MC, Ibiebele TI, Marks GC, Green AC. 1998;139(2):332-339. Schrier SL. email: lpi@oregonstate.edu, Healthcare Professional Continuing Education.