Lipidomics analysis of facial lipid biomarkers in females with self-perceived skin sensitivity.

Background And Aims: Self-perception of sensitive skin (SPSS) has several consequences, including skin barrier damage, which is prevented by barrier sebum. We analyzed lipidome profiles of skin surface lipids (SSLs) in patients with SPSS and healthy controls and explored the mechanism of action of potential lipid markers on the repair of damaged barrier cells to better understand SSL abnormity in these patients.

Methods: Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to investigate SSL variations in major lipid classes, subclasses, and species. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine changes in intracellular gene expression following cell barrier damage repair by potential lipid markers.

Results: There were significant differences in the lipidomes of individuals between groups. Individuals with SPSS showed significantly increased levels of two diacylglycerols and one very-short-chain free fatty acid and significantly decreased levels of three ceramides (Cers), four glycerophospholipids, and one very-long-chain free fatty acid. RT-PCR revealed that after damage repair by Cer/Glucosylceramide (GlcCer), the expression of two genes in the sterol regulatory element-binding protein and three in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor pathway significantly increased. Causes of skin barrier damage in patients with SPSS are related to the amount and type of lipids.

Conclusion: Cer/GlcCer can promote lipid synthesis and secretion by upregulating lipid-related gene expression to repair barrier damage.