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IN VIVO CHANGES IN UROCANIC ACID OF GUINEA PIG AND HUMAN EPIDERMIS BY ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:4694856

Control skin and skin irradiated with ultraviolet light (UV) were examined for chemical differences resulting from the UV irradiation. It was found that acid extracts of skin exposed to three minimal erythema dose of UV from a hot quartz mercury vapor lamp possess a marked decrease in the specific UV absorbency in the 260 m mu portion of the spectrum. It is shown that the decrease in specific UV absorbency is due largely to decreased amounts of urocanic acid in the extract. It is further shown that almost half of the urocanic acid isolated after irradiation is the cis isomer. Only the trans modification was found in normal, non-irradiated extracts. A method for separation of the cis and trans isomers of urocanic acid, using ion exchange methods, is outlined. The infrared absorption spectra of cis and trans urocanic acid isolated from skin is presented with similar spectra for the authentic trans isomer and in vitro prepared cis urocanic acid. The cis isomer of urocanic acid from UV irradiated skin was characterized by melting point, mobility in paper chromatographic systems, color formation with diazotized aromatic amines, and UV absorption spectra characteristics. Infrared absorption data support present assignment of cis and trans configurations in these substances. (Dissertation Abstr. 23: May 1963)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-17-028767
OSTI ID:
4694856
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English