Iron and ascorbic acid concentrations in human dermis with regard to age and body sites.

BACKGROUND Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to processes relating to cutaneous aging. Iron catalyses ROS formation whereas ascorbic acid (AA) plays a fundamental role in defending the organism against undesirable ROS action. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work was to determine the ex vivo iron and AA concentrations in human dermis from different age groups to better understand their role. METHODS Skin fragments were collected from 66 female patients during surgical operations and were grouped according to age: group I (<15 years, before puberty, n = 12), group II (15-50 years, adults, n = 42), and group III (>50 years, advanced age adults, n = 12). Two sites were investigated: the abdomen (unexposed areas) and face (exposed sites). Iron and AA were collected from human dermis by microdialysis and assessed by atomic absorption spectrometry and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, respectively. RESULTS Iron concentrations in the dermis were significantly higher in group III (27.4 +/- 20.9 microg/l) than in group I (13.8 +/- 3.3 microg/l; p< 0.05 ). An inverse correlation between AA dermis levels and increasing age was detected. For groups III and I, iron and AA concentrations were significantly different in dermis from the face compared to that of the abdomen (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study shows for the first time that there is a direct relationship between iron and AA concentrations in the dermis and aging. Moreover, iron and AA concentrations differed according to body site.