抄録
Skin has three main functions: protection, regulation and sensation. The extensibility and elasticity of soft tissues such as skins are probably attributable to the quality and quantity of elastin fibers. However, the biomechanical contribution of elastin to the skin properties remains unknown. Our overall goal was to clarify the mechanical function of elastin in soft tissues and to determine whether the external medication of elastin ingredients is effective for the maintenance and improvement of the skin extensibility. Specifically, we focused on the deformation recovery behavior after tensile loads were applied to skin tissues. Elastin ingredients were obtained from aortic bulbs of young yellowtail. In the present study, biomechanical tests were conducted for hairless mouse skins irradiated with ultraviolet light. The mice of 18 weeks old were used for the experiment. We irradiated the ultraviolet to hairless mouse back skins (UV group). Irradiation of ultraviolet was performed for 18 weeks. The ultraviolet-irradiated skins applied elastin and placebo lotion were used to obtain the data for the E-lotion and P-lotion groups, respectively. Data for the non-treated, normal skins were also obtained (Control group). The elastic recovery strain and recovery strain rate in the E-lotion group were higher than those in the UV and P-lotion groups. There were no significant differences in the both parameters between the Control and E-lotion groups. From these results, we can say that elastin components were closely related to the dermal functions as well as the healing processes and diseases of skins. The finding of the present study would be useful as basic knowledge for the development of novel medicine to prevent the skin aging and diseases.
