In recent years, the studies of emerging contaminants have received growing concerns due to their ambiguous fate and unclear effect to the water environment, aquatic organisms or even human. With the development of the analytical techniques, the increase detection rate of emerging contaminants is at a rapid pace that many of their fates and influence are still pending investigation. In this work, a group of organic UV filters, which is one of the vital categories of emerging contaminants are monitored. Organic UV filters, used as the major components in not only sunscreens but also other cosmetics products, have a widespread usage and large production volume for more than 80 years, causing the massive input towards the aquatic environment. To first investigate their environmental behaviours and impacts, the regional distribution of total nine commonly used organic UV filters was monitored along the southeast coastline of Shenzhen, which is the most rapid developing city in China with large population with the consideration of seasonal variation. In addition, the Shenzhen reservoirs, as the major sources of drinking water in Shenzhen, was also monitored together with the city tap water. The results indicated the extensive distribution of certain kinds of UV filters with obvious seasonal pattern, which may cause medium to high risk to aquatic organisms. And the incomplete removal of them in drinking water supply system resulting trace amount of UV filters to be detected in city tap water, may cause a general exposure of these UV filters towards all populations. Therefore, a quantitative analytical method for simultaneous detecting multiple classes UV filters in human urine samples has been developed and applied on more than 100 real samples for determining internal exposure. Similar UV filters were also detected in human urine samples compared with surface water while one of the most commonly used organic UV filters, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate exhibited much lower detection rate and concentration in human urine. Then, biotransformation of Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate was examined in rats for the purpose of selecting suitable metabolites as exposure biomarkers. Several metabolites have been identified in urine and plasma by UHPLC-QTOF-MS. Two of its metabolites, 4-methoxycinnamic acid and 4' -methoxyacetophenone, were unambiguously identified by comparing with commercial standard. Excretion trend of Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and its two metabolites confirmed that most of the parent compound were quickly metabolized and excreted through urine samples. Herein, these three targeted compounds were further evaluated in two populations - female university students and school-aged children. Although Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate was not detected in 49 female university students, significant internal correlations were discovered among these three analytes in school-aged students and extensive detection of metabolites instead of parent compound was also confirmed. The third part of this thesis is to comprehensively monitor the internal exposure of UV filters and their metabolites, and also discover their potential adverse health impacts - obesity in Shanghai children and adolescents. Urinary concentration of certain kinds of UV filters were significantly higher in girls than in boys. However, further associations have been found with urinary Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate concentration and reduced adiposity outcomes only in boys, indicating it may have the potential to influence the metabolism in male population during growing stage. In short, a complete study of organic UV filters is presented in this thesis, from their environmental occurrence to metabolism in animal models, and finally to human exposure and potential health impacts. The widespread exposure and significant associations with adiposity outcomes can form a solid base for future comprehensive risk assessment of UV filters towards human health

No description available.

Commercial sunscreen products are used to protect the skin against hannful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can induce skin cancer at high dosage. These products contain UV filters that can reflect, scatter or absorb UV light. The chemical UV filters responsible for the absorption of UV radiation can be photochemically modified and as a result reduce the efficacy of the sunscreen formulation. This study focused on the possible use ofplant polyphenols as potential stabilisers of photo-unstable sunscreen chemical absorbers. The photo-instability of some sunscreen absorbers results in radical formation; this prompted the use of the plant, Sutherlandia microphylla (Cancer Bush plant), as a potential photostabiliser. The Cancer Bush plant is used by the indigenous people of South Africa to treat AIDS and cancer. The radical scavenging properties of polyphenolic compounds present in the plant are possibly responsible for the plant's anti-tumour and anti-IDV properties. Therefore, these Cancer Bush polyphenols could possibly be used to photostabilise photo-unstable sunscreen absorbers. Potential polyphenolic photostabilisers from the Cancer Bush plant were extracted by means of various polyphenolic extraction methods. These extracts were analysed by gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), UV spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The phenolic content and the antioxidant activity ofthese extracts were investigated by means of the Folin-eiocalteu reagent (FCR) and the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assays respectively. Polyphenols were also extracted from various Rooibos teas and compared with those extracted from the Cancer Bush plant. Both the Cancer Bush and various Rooibos tea extracts were found to contain simple phen~lics and potential polyphenolic compounds. The Cancer Bush extracts as well as the Rooibos tea extracts together with the specific polyphenols, epicatechin and rutin, were assessed for their ability to photostabilise sunscreen absorbers. The photostability of the chemical absorbers in the absence and in the presence of the polyphenol extracts was investigated by UV spectroscopy, by monitoring their absorption spectra during irradiation with solar-simulated radiation. These extracts inhibited the photodegradation of the absorber avobenzone. The photostability of avobenzone is solventIntroduction III dependent hence the investigations were carried out in three solvents, namely, cyclohexane, ethyl acetate and dimethylsulfoxide. Additionally, the cause ofthe instability ofavobenzone in these solvents was investigated by means of DV spectroscopy, HPLC and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The oxygen dependency of the photo-instability of avobenzone was also determined. The photo-instability of avobenzone was found to occur as a result of photoisomerisation and!or photodegradation, depending on the solvent. Avobenzone photoisomerised extensively in dimethylsulfoxide and photodegraded appreciably in cyclohexane, whereas both processes occurred to a similar extent in ethyl acetate. Photoisomerisation only occurred in the presence of oxygen whereas photodegradation occurred irrespective of oxygen. The Cancer Bush and various Rooibos tea extracts as well as other polyphenols photostabilised avobenzone in ethyl acetate and dimethylsulfoxide but not in cyclohexane. This photostabilisation effect was potentially due to the radical scavenging ability of polyphenols which prevented the oxygendependent photoisomerisation, but not the oxygen independent photodegradation process from occurring. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-Chemistry-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005

The topical application of sunscreens is widely practised to protect healthy and photosensitive skins from the sun. The benzophenone-derived sunscreens, e.g. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone-5-sulphonic acid (or benzophenone-4) and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone (or benzophenone-3), were ranked as the second and third most frequently used sunscreens, respectively, by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. These sunscreens are categorised as being 'safe' and 'effective'. However, it is well known that the parent compound, benzophenone, undergoes rapid hydrogen abstraction reactions on irradiation and is an extremely powerful radical generator. In addition, benzophenone has been shown to be a potent photosensitizer of thymine dimers in deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA). More astounding to the sunscreen industry is the recent discovery that a group of non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) having the benzophenone backbone, e.g. ketoprofen, not only form thymine dimers when irradiated with DNA in vitro, but also photosensitize double stranded supercoiled DNA making it prone to single-strand break formation. Both these lesions, if unrepaired, may contribute to mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, inherited disease and eventually cell death. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a group of benzophenone-derived sunscreen agents has the ability to photosensitize the cleavage of DNA, whereby supercoiled DNA is converted to the relaxed circular and linear forms. The group of UV absorbers investigated in this study included benzophenone-4, benzophenone-3 , 2,4 dihydroxybenzophenone (or benzophenone-l), 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy benzophenone sulphonic acid (or trade name Uvinul DS49) and 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulphonic acid (or trade name Eusolex 232). For comparison the parent compound benzophenone and the NSAID ketoprofen, a well-known photocleaver, were also studied. Buffered aqueous solutions of the benzophenones were irradiated in the presence of DNA at wavelengths greater than 300 nm with an Osram 500 W/2 high-pressure mercury lamp in conjunction with a 10 mm thick Pyrex filter. The irradiated samples were analysed for DNA cleavage by agarose gel electrophoresis and for DNA binding by fluorescence spectroscopy. The photostability of the UV absorbers was also investigated. In addition, computational studies were conducted to obtain the lowest energy geometrical structures of these UV absorbers and hence determine if intercalation of these UV absorbers with DNA was possible. From the photostability experiments conducted, it is apparent that the benzophenone-based UV absorbers were stable to photodecomposition when irradiated with UV light. They behaved in a manner different from their parent compound benzophenone, and from ketoprofen, where substantial photodegradation occurred upon UV irradiation. This is indicative of the rapid photoreactivity of the benzophenone backbone. The relative photostability of the UV absorbers was not anticipated and was attributed to the substituents present on the benzophenone backbone. The agarose gel electrophoresis experiments however clearly showed that benzophenone, ketoprofen, benzophenone-l, Uvinul DS49 and Eusolex 232 cleave ?X174 DNA when irradiated with UV light at wavelengths greater than 300 nm, while benzophenone-3 and benzophenone-4 did not. For these UV absorbers with the exception of benzophenone-3 and benzophenone-4, the number of single strand breaks in the DNA increased compared to when it was irradiated in their absence. In addition, the supercoiled DNA was converted to the relaxed circular and linear forms, the latter of which was undetected in the absence of the UV absorbers. Binding of benzophenone, ketoprofen, benzophenone-l and Uvinul DS49 to calf thymus DNA was also detected by the fluorescence spectroscopy technique. However, this was not observed for Eusolex 232, benzophenone-3 and benzophenone-4, since they did not compete with ethidium bromide for DNA binding sites. Where DNA cleavage did occur, the mechanism of this interaction had to be determined hence the motivation for the computational studies. From computational studies using PM3 semi- empirical calculations, it was determined that the benzophenone-based UV absorbers investigated, apart from Eusolex 232, displayed non-planar geometrical structures. This indicated that DNA intercalation of these sunscreen agents with DNA would at best be very limited, since only one half of the molecule could possibly interact with the bases of DNA. For benzophenone, ketoprofen, benzophenone-l and Uvinul DS49, photosensitised type I and type II processes involving triplet energy transfer reactions has been identified in literature as being responsible for DNA cleavage. It was determined by ab initio calculations that Eusolex 232 exists in a planar structure unlike the other UV absorbers mentioned above that were non- planar. It was concluded that although Eusolex 232 has the ability to intercalate with the base pairs of DNA, it does not do so, as shown by its lack of binding to calf thymus DNA by the fluorescence spectroscopy study. Literature alludes to photooxidation by singlet oxygen in single stranded DNA via the type II reaction and type I electron transfer reactions in double stranded DNA as the mechanism responsible for DNA cleavage induced by Eusolex 232. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Os filtros solares formam a base da indústria cosmética de proteção solar. Estas substâncias podem absorver ou refletir a radiação UV. Por essa radiação provocar danos à pele, fotoenvelhecimento, câncer, é necessário o uso de protetores solares. Com isso, nas últimas décadas, as formulações cosméticas passaram a ser acrescidas dessas substâncias, que protegem a pele do consumidor contra a radiação UV. As vitaminas também passaram a ser adicionadas à a formulações fotoprotetoras para atuarem como antioxidantes. No entanto, os filtros sofrem degradação na presença de luz (fotodegradação), além disso, sua combinação com vitaminas pode levar à formação de intermediários reativos os quais podem provocar dermatites de contato e reações fototóxicas na pele. A comunidade científica tem se empenhado para a utilização de testes alternativos ao uso de animais de experimentação, sendo que o teste de fototoxicidade 3T3 NRU PT (Neutral red uptake), em cultura de fibroblastos, tem sido o preconizado para essa finalidade. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a fotoestabilidade e fototoxicidade da avobenzona e palmitato de retinila associadas a diferentes fotoestabilizadores, por meio do uso de cromatografia liquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) e cultura de fibroblastos em monocamadas, respectivamente. Para tal, foram desenvolvidas formulações fotoprotetoras contendo os filtros solares avobenzona (AVO) e metoxicinamato de etilexila (MTX) acrescidos ou não de palmitato de retinila (Pr), e de fotoestabilizadores (tris tetrametilhidroxipiperidiol - TTMHP, etilhexil metoxicrileno - EHMCR e Tris-bifenil Triazina - TBFT), que foram utilizados para melhorar a sua fotoestabilidade. Os resultados de fotoestabilidade por CLAE demonstraram que a avobenzona, o metoxicinamato de etilexila e o palmitato de retinila foram considerados fotoinstáveis, porém a adição do fotoestabilizador EHMCR melhorou a fotoestabilidade das mesmas. Já o fotoestabilizador TBFT e TTHMP melhoraram a fotoestabilidade da associação de filtros sem a presença do palmitato de retinila. As análises por espectrofotometria demonstraram que a inclusão do TBFT na associação de filtros (FB3) e a inclusão do EHMCR na associação de filtros e o palmitato de retinila (FB2Pr), melhoraram a fotoestabilidade de suas respectivas formulações. A fototoxicidade das associações de filtros solares, estabilizadores e palmitato de retinila foi avaliada por meio do uso de cultura de fibroblastos 3T3, que foi submetida à radiação UVA para a determinação da viabilidade celular na presença e ausência da radiação seguindo recomendações da OECD TG 432. Os resultados obtidos nos sugerem que, no estudo de fototoxicidade, a AVO e TBFT apresentaram potencial fototóxico. As associações contendo os filtros AVO e MTX, acrescidos ou não de Pr (C1C e C1PrC) foram consideradas fototóxicas. Quanto à adição dos fotoestabilizadores, observou-se que a adição dos fotoestabilizadores TBFT e EHMCR à associação de AVO, MTX também foi considerada fototóxica (C2 e C3, respectivamente). Entretanto a adição do fotoestabilizador EHMCR à associação AVO, MTX e Pr, foi considerada não fototóxica. Já a inclusão dos fotoestabilizadores TTMHP e TBFT à associação contendo AVO, MTX, Pr (C3Pr e C4Pr) foram consideradas fototóxicas. / Sunscreens form the basis of cosmetic sun protection industry. These substances can absorb or reflect UV radiation. The radiation causes UV-induced damages to the skin, photoaging, cancer; therefore the use of sunscreen is necessary. In recent decades, the cosmetic formulations are now added of those substances which protect the consumer\'s skin against UV radiation. Vitamins also began to be added to the photoprotective formulations to act as antioxidants. However, the filters are degraded in the presence of light (photodegradation), moreover, the combination with vitamins can lead to the formation of reactive intermediates which can cause contact dermatitis and phototoxic skin reactions. The scientific community has been engaged in the use of alternative assays to replace animal experimentation, and the 3T3 NRU phototoxicity test (Neutral Red Uptake) in fibroblasts culture, has been recommended for this purpose. The objective of this study is to evaluate the photostability and phototoxicity of avobenzone and vitamin A associated with different photostabilizers, through the use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and culture of fibroblast in monolayers, respectively. For this, were developed photoprotective formulations containing avobenzone (AVO) and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (MTX) with or without the presence of vitamin A palmitate (Pr), and photostabilizers (Tris Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol Citrate - TTMHP, ethylhexyl methoxycrylene - EEMC, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine - TBFT ), which were used to enhance the sunscreens photostability. The results of photostability by HPLC demonstrated that avobenzone, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and retinyl palmitate were considered photounstable, but the addition of the EHMCR improved their photostability. The TBFT and TTHMP improved the photostability of the association of sunscreens without the retinyl palmitate. Results by spectrophotometry demonstrated that the TBFT inclusion in the association of sunscreens (FB3) and EHMCR inclusion with the association of sunscreens and retinyl palmitate (FB2Pr) improved the photostability of their respective formulations. Phototoxicity of sunscreens combinations, photostabilizers, and vitamin A was evaluated by using 3T3 fibroblasts culture, which has been subjected to UVA radiation for the determination of cell viability in the presence and absence of radiation, according to OECD TG 432. The results suggest that, in phototoxicity study, AVO and TBFT presented phototoxic potential. Combinations containing AVO and MTX filters, added or not of Pr (C1C and C1PrC) were considered phototoxic. Regarding the addition of the photostabilizers, it was observed that the addition of TBFT and EHMCR photostabilizers to the combination of AVO, MTX was also considered phototoxic (C2 and C3). However, the addition of EHMCR to AVO, MTX and Pr was considered non-phototoxic. The inclusion of the TTMHP and TBFT photostabilizers in the combination containing AVO, MTX, Pr (C3Pr and C4Pr) were considered phototoxic.

Atualmente, devido ao conhecimento dos danos causados pela exposição da pele à radiação UV, existe uma tendência em utilizar, além dos filtros solares convencionais, substâncias naturais com potencial antioxidante. Entretanto, o uso de associações fotoinstáveis, pode, além de comprometer a capacidade fotoprotetora, levar à formação de intermediários reativos que podem ocasionar dermatites de contato e reações fototóxicas na pele. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a fotoestabilidade e fototoxicidade de formulações fotoprotetoras contendo diferentes associações de filtros solares acrescidas ou não dos polifenóis mangiferina e naringenina. Para o estudo de fotoestabilidade, amostras das formulações foram aplicadas em lâminas de vidro e expostas à radiação UVA e, a seguir, foram feitas análises por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE), para dosagem do teor de filtros solares e antioxidantes, e por espectrofotometria, para determinação da razão UVA/UVB. A fototoxicidade foi avaliada por meio do uso de cultura de fibroblastos 3T3, submetida ou não à radiação UVA, para determinação da viabilidade celular. Os resultados de fotoestabilidade por CLAE demonstraram que a naringenina, o metoxicinamato de etilexila e avobenzona foram considerados fotoinstáveis. Além disso, foi demonstrado que a adição de mangiferina à associação contendo avobenzona e naringenina, proporcionou um aumento da fotoestabilidade das mesmas. A presença do dietilamino hidroxibenzoil hexil benzoato (DHHB) na formulação contendo avobenzona e naringenina promoveu melhora da fotoestabilidade da naringenina, no entanto não houve melhora da fotoestabilidade da avobenzona. As análises espectrofotométricas demonstraram que as formulações contendo a associação de avobenzona e DHHB (associação 3) apresentaram uma proteção no UVA superior às demais associações, ou seja, que continham avobenzona e DHHB isoladamente. O estudo de fototoxicidade mostrou que a avobenzona e o DHHB apresentaram potencial fototóxico. Quando as associações de filtros solares e antioxidantes foram analisadas, foi observado que a associação de avobenzona e naringenina, combinada ou não ao DHHB, apresentou potencial fototóxico. Dessa forma, esta não é recomendada para o desenvolvimento de formulações fotoprotetoras. A associação DHHB / avobenzona, por apresentar elevada proteção UVA, pode ser vantajosa para o desenvolvimento de fotoprotetores, entretanto a sua associação com antioxidantes deve ser utilizada com cautela e analisada caso a caso. A naringenina não é indicada para fotoprotetores contendo avobenzona, uma vez que esta associação foi considerada fotoinstável e fototóxica. Já a utilização da mangiferina pode ser considerada mais segura, e, além disso, a sua elevada atividade antioxidante pode complementar a eficácia de fotoprotetores. / Nowadays, due to the knowledge of UV-induced skin damage, there is a tendency to use natural substances with antioxidant potential, beyond conventional UV-filters. However, the use of photounstable combinations can compromise the photoprotective capacity and lead to formation of reactive intermediates that can cause contact dermatitis and phototoxic skin reactions. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the photostability and phototoxicity of sunscreen formulations containing different UV-filter combinations supplemented or not with the polyphenols mangiferin and naringenin. For photostability studies, samples of the formulations were spread onto glass plates, exposed to UVA radiation and then analyzed by HPLC to determine the UV-filters and antioxidants concentrations, and also by spectrophotometry to determine the UVA/UVB ratio. Phototoxicity was evaluated by using the 3T3 fibroblast cultures, which was exposed to UVA radiation for the determination of cell viability. The results of photostability by HPLC analysis showed that naringenin, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and avobenzone were considered photounstable. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the addition of mangiferin combined with avobenzone and naringenin, provided an increase in their photostability. The presence of DHHB in the formulation containing avobenzone and naringenin promoted an improvement in naringenin photostability, what was not observed for avobenzone. The spectrophotometric analysis showed that the formulations containing the combination of avobenzone and DHHB (combination 3) presented higher protection against UVA than the other combinations, i.e. the combinations containing avobenzone and DHHB, separately. The phototoxicity study showed that avobenzone and DHHB presented phototoxic potential. When UV-filters and antioxidants combinations were analyzed, it was observed that the combination of avobenzone and naringenin, combined or not with DHHB, presented phototoxic potential. Therefore, this is not recommended for the development of sunscreens. The combination DHHB / avobenzone, due to its high UVA protection, may be suitable on the development of sunscreens, however its combination with antioxidants should be used with caution and analyzed case-by-case. Naringenin is not indicated for sunscreens containing avobenzone, since this combination was considered photounstable and phototoxic. Moreover, the use of mangiferin can be considered safer than naringenin and, besides that, its high antioxidant activity can improve the photoprotective effects of sunscreens.

<p>Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a major risk factor for development of skin cancer. UVR-induced DNA damage and a dysfunctional p53 protein are important steps in the development of squamous cell carcinoman in human skin (SCC). The aim of the present investigation was to analyze incidence trends of SCC in Sweden, quantify the risk of second primary cancer after SCC and further analyze the effects of UVR and p53 protein in human skin <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i>. The effect of photoprotection by sunscreens was also evaluated. </p><p>We found that the age-standardized incidence rate of SCC in Sweden increased substantially in both men and women during the period 1961-1995, especially in men and at chronically sun-exposed skin sites. Patients with SCC are also at increased risk of developing new primary cancers, especially in the skin, squamous cell epithelium, hematopoietic tissues and respiratory organs. In experimental studies <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i> in human skin we observed that repair of UV-induced DNA damage appears to be more efficient in chronically sun-exposed skin despite a less uniform p53 response. Non-sun- exposed skin is more homogeneous with respect to the epidermal p53 response. Keratinocytes in skin exposed frequently to the sun may be prone to react more easily to cytotoxic stress. Two different modalities of photoprotection significantly reduced the amount of DNA damage and the number of p53-positive cells. In addition, we demonstrated that a well-defined system for <i>in vitro</i> culture of explanted skin provides an excellent alternative to <i>in vivo</i> experiments. </p><p>In conclusion, this study has increased our knowledge of SCC epidemiology in Sweden and of the effects of artificial and solar UVR and sunscreens on chronically sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed sites, respectively, of human skin.</p>

This thesis discusses developing new tools to probe DNA damage resulting from photoinduced chemical processes and probing the initial excited-state structural dynamics of nucleic acids and sunscreen agents. The results of this thesis show that UV resonance Raman spectroscopy (UVRRS) is an information-rich probe of chemical compositions in in situ analysis of sunscreen formulations. The results indicate that 244-nm excited UV resonance Raman spectra can provide a limit of detection of 0.23% w/w of sunscreen active ingredients (AIs), far below typical active ingredient (AI) concentrations in sunscreen formulations. UVRRS was used to probe the photostability of sunscreens, by determining the initial excited-state structural dynamics of Benzophenone-3 (BZ3), a common sunscreen active ingredient. Only minor excited-state structural distortions were obtained, based on the low displacement values, suggesting an inherently stable molecule. The largest structural change occurs along the carbonyl stretch, suggesting a strong interaction with the methanol solvent and a dissipative decay path for the molecule. Similarly, to gain an insight into how the structure of nucleic acids determine their photochemistry, UVRRS was used to probe the initial excited-state structural dynamics of 9-methyladenine (9-MeA). As for BZ3, the initial excited-state structural dynamics obtained for 9-MeA, are low, and much lower than for pyrimidine bases, providing a strong evidence for the photochemical stability of this purine base analog, compared to pyrimidines. Since DNA does not exist in isolation in cells, the role of a UV-absorbing amino acid, tryptophan, in UV-induced DNA photodamage was explored using molecular beacons (MBs) to detect the damage. The results indicate that tryptophan protective effects on DNA far outweighs their photodamage potential. However, MBs are expensive and they have some technical limitations, despite their exquisite sensitivity. Therefore, a new DNA damage detection method was developed based on smart probes (SPs). These probes are shown to be sensitive and sequence specific for detecting DNA photodamage.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a major risk factor for development of skin cancer. UVR-induced DNA damage and a dysfunctional p53 protein are important steps in the development of squamous cell carcinoman in human skin (SCC). The aim of the present investigation was to analyze incidence trends of SCC in Sweden, quantify the risk of second primary cancer after SCC and further analyze the effects of UVR and p53 protein in human skin in vivo and in vitro. The effect of photoprotection by sunscreens was also evaluated. We found that the age-standardized incidence rate of SCC in Sweden increased substantially in both men and women during the period 1961-1995, especially in men and at chronically sun-exposed skin sites. Patients with SCC are also at increased risk of developing new primary cancers, especially in the skin, squamous cell epithelium, hematopoietic tissues and respiratory organs. In experimental studies in vivo and in vitro in human skin we observed that repair of UV-induced DNA damage appears to be more efficient in chronically sun-exposed skin despite a less uniform p53 response. Non-sun- exposed skin is more homogeneous with respect to the epidermal p53 response. Keratinocytes in skin exposed frequently to the sun may be prone to react more easily to cytotoxic stress. Two different modalities of photoprotection significantly reduced the amount of DNA damage and the number of p53-positive cells. In addition, we demonstrated that a well-defined system for in vitro culture of explanted skin provides an excellent alternative to in vivo experiments. In conclusion, this study has increased our knowledge of SCC epidemiology in Sweden and of the effects of artificial and solar UVR and sunscreens on chronically sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed sites, respectively, of human skin.

No description available.