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Acute psychological stress (PS) mobilizes metabolic responses that are of immediate benefit to the host, but the current medical paradigm holds that PS exacerbates systemic and cutaneous inflammatory disorders. Although the adverse consequences of PS are usually attributed to neuroimmune mechanisms, PS also stimulates an increase in endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) that compromises permeability barrier homeostasis, stratum corneum cohesion, wound healing, and epidermal innate immunity in normal skin. Yet, if such PS-induced increases in GC were uniformly harmful, natural selection should have eliminated this component of the stress response. Hence, we hypothesized here instead that stress-induced elevations in endogenous GC could benefit, rather than aggravate, cutaneous function and reduce inflammation in three immunologically diverse mouse models of inflammatory diseases. Indeed, superimposed exogenous (motion-restricted) stress reduced, rather than aggravated inflammation and improved epidermal function in all three models, even normalizing serum IgE levels in the atopic dermatitis model. Elevations in endogenous GC accounted for these apparent benefits, because coadministration of mifepristone prevented stress-induced disease amelioration. Thus, exogenous stress can benefit rather than aggravate cutaneous inflammatory dermatoses through the anti-inflammatory activity of increased endogenous GC.

Solar ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is a primary cause of premature skin aging that is closely associated with the degradation of collagens caused by up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or a decrease in collagen synthesis. The phenolic veratric acid (VA, 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid) is one of the major benzoic acid derivatives from fruits, vegetables and medicinal mushrooms. VA has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and photo-protective effects. In this study, anti-photoaging effects were investigated through the photo-protective mechanisms of VA against UV irradiation in human dermal fibroblasts and the reconstructed human epidermal model. We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) and immunohistochemistry assays. Finally, we further investigated the clinical effects of VA on facial wrinkle improvements in humans. Our results demonstrate that VA attenuated the expression of MMPs, increased cell proliferation, type Ι procollagen, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, and filaggrin against UV radiation; however, has no effect on improvement expressions of elastic fiber. In addition, treatment with cream containing VA improved facial wrinkles in a clinical trial. These findings indicate that VA improves wrinkle formation by modulating MMPs, collagens and epidermal layer integrity, suggesting its potential use in UV-induced premature skin aging.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors and consist of three isotypes: PPARα, PPARβ/δ and PPARγ. PPARs are expressed in various cell types in the skin, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts and infiltrating immune cells. Thus, these receptors are highly studied in dermato-endocrine research, and their ligands are targets for the treatment of various skin disorders, such as photoageing and chronological ageing of skin. Intensive studies have revealed that PPARα/γ functions in photoageing and age-related inflammation by regulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) via nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). However, the detailed mechanism of PPARα/γ's role in photoageing has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we confirmed that abietic acid (AA) is a PPARα/γ dual ligand and significantly decreased UVB-induced MMP-1 expression by downregulating UVB-induced MAPK signalling and downstream transcription factors, subsequently reducing IκBα degradation and blocking NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation in Hs68 human dermal fibroblast cells. Treatment of cells with AA and GW6471 or bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), PPARα or PPARγ antagonists, respectively, reversed the effect on UVB-induced MMP-1 expression and inflammatory signalling pathway activation. Taken together, our data suggest that AA acts as a PPARα/γ dual activator to inhibit UVB-induced MMP-1 expression and age-related inflammation by suppressing NF-κB and the MAPK/AP-1 pathway and can be a useful agent for improving skin photoageing., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Stress slows cutaneous wound healing (WH) in an endogenous glucocorticoid (GC)-dependent fashion. We investigated whether stress/GC-induced delays in WH require further intracutaneous activation of endogenous GC; and whether blockade or down-regulation of peripheral activation normalizes WH in the face of stress. Delayed WH in our motion-restricted murine model of stress could be attributed to elevated systemic GC, because blockade of GC production (using corticotropin-releasing factor inhibitor, antalarmin), or of peripheral binding to the GC receptor [GCr], with an antagonist, Ru-486, normalized WH. We next investigated whether local blockade or down-regulation of the peripheral GC-activating enzyme, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), accelerates cutaneous WH. Topical applications of nonspecific (carbenoxolone) as well as an isoform-specific 11β-HSD1 inhibitor overcame stress and exogenous GC-induced delays in WH. Moreover, two liver X receptor ligands, TO901317 and GW3695, down-regulated expression of 11β-HSD1, attenuating stress-induced delays in WH. Combined inhibitor and liver X receptor ligand applications accelerated WH in the face of stress/systemic GC. Thus: (1) intracutaneous conversion of inactive-to-active GC accounts for stress (GC)-induced delays in WH; and (2) blockade or down-regulation of 11β-HSD1 and/or GCr normalize cutaneous WH in the face of stress/GC. Local blockade or down-regulation of cutaneous GC activation could help enhance WH in various clinical settings., (© 2013 by the Wound Healing Society.)

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory processes in human epidermis, resulting in inflammation, photoaging, and photocarcinogenesis. Adequate protection of skin against the harmful effect of UV irradiation is essential. In recent years naturally occurring herbal compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and high molecular weight polyphenols have gained considerable attention as beneficial protective agents. The simple phenolic veratric acid (VA, 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid) is one of the major benzoic acid derivatives from vegetables and fruits and it also occurs naturally in medicinal mushrooms which have been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. However, it has rarely been applied in skin care. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the possible roles of veratric acid in protection against UVB-induced damage in HaCaT cells. Results showed that veratric acid can attenuate cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) formation, glutathione (GSH) depletion and apoptosis induced by UVB. Furthermore, veratric acid had inhibitory effects on the UVB-induced release of the inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and prostaglandin-E2. We also confirmed the safety and clinical efficacy of veratric acid on human skin. Overall, results demonstrated significant benefits of veratric acid on the protection of keratinocyte against UVB-induced injuries and suggested its potential use in skin photoprotection.

Two critical defensive functions of the outer epidermis, the permeability barrier and antimicrobial defense, share certain structural and biochemical features. Moreover, three antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), i.e., mouse β-defensin 3 (mBD3), mouse cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (mCAMP), and the neuroendocrine peptide, catestatin (Cst), all localize to the outer epidermis, and both mBD3 and mCAMP are secreted from the epidermal lamellar bodies with other organelle contents that subserve the permeability barrier. These three AMPs are upregulated in response to acute permeability barrier disruption, whereas conversely, mCAMP-/- mice (unable to combat Gram-positive pathogens) also display abnormal barrier homeostasis. To determine further whether these two functions are co-regulated, we investigated changes in immunostaining for these three AMPs in skin samples in which the permeability barrier function in mice had been either compromised or enhanced. Compromised or enhanced barrier function correlated with reduced or enhanced immunohistochemical expression of mCAMP, respectively, but conversely with Cst expression, likely due to the role of this AMP as an endogenous inhibitor of cathelicidin expression. mBD3 expression correlated with experimental barrier perturbations, but poorly with developmental changes in barrier function. These studies show that changes in cathelicidin and Cst expression parallel changes in permeability barrier status, with a less clear relationship with mBD3 expression.

Psychological stress (PS) exerts well-known negative consequences for permeability barrier function in humans and mice, and deterioration of barrier function appears to be attributable largely to excess production of endogenous glucocorticoids (GC). More recently, PS has been shown to compromise antimicrobial defense, also by GC-dependent mechanisms. We assessed here changes in a third antimicrobial peptide (AMP); i.e., the neuropeptide, catestatin (Cst), which also is expressed in the outer epidermis, and previously shown to be regulated by changes in permeability barrier status. In these studies, PS again provoked a decline in both mouse cathelicidin (CAMP) and mouse β-defensin 3 (mBD3) expression, in a GC-dependent fashion. In contrast, Cst immunostaining instead increased after short-term PS, but then began to decline with more sustained PS. In cultured keratinocytes, we showed further that GC downregulate Cst expression, but β-adrenergic blockade increased immunostaining for Cst in the face of long-term PS. Furthermore, β-adrenergic blockade also upregulated CAMP and mBD3 expression. Together, these results suggest that both endogenous GC and β-adrenergic signaling regulate AMP expression.

Recently, we reported on the anti-ageing effects of K6PC-5. This compound induced keratinocyte differentiation and fibroblast proliferation by increasing sphingosine-1 phosphate synthesis. We performed this study to confirm the anti-ageing effects of new synthetic products (the K6EAA series) derived from K6PC-5 through an amino group induction. Cellular responses such as differentiation, proliferation and calcium mobilization were investigated using cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Also, we measured the expressions of collagen mRNA and protein using real time RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The K6EAA-L12 product, selected by in vitro screening, was evaluated for anti-ageing effects on intrinsically and extrinsically (photo) aged models of hairless mice. In the intrinsically aged murine skin, K6EAA-L12 showed anti-ageing effects by activating collagen synthesis, eventually causing dermal thickening. Also, in the photo-aged skin, the dermal collagen density and dermal thickness were increased. In photo-aged murine skin, K6EAA-L12 increased stratum corneum integrity by increasing corneodesmosome density and improved the barrier recovery rate. However, there were no changes in the expressions of epidermal differentiation maker proteins. In conclusion, topical K6EAA-L12, a new synthetic K6PC-5 derivative, improves intrinsically and extrinsically (photo) aged skin by increasing the collagen density and improving the skin barrier function., (© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that commonly begins in childhood. K6PC-9p (N-(Ethyl dihydrogenphosphate)-2-hexyl-3-oxo-decanamide) is a synthetic ceramide derivative of PC-9S (N-Ethanol-2-mirystyl-3-oxo-staramide), which was known to be effective in atopic patients. In this study, we examined the effect of topical application of K6PC-9p on skin inflammation and AD-like skin lesions in mouse models. K6PC-9p dose-dependently inhibited phorbol ester-induced increase in ear thickness in BALB/c mice. Moreover, topical application of K6PC-9p suppressed dust mite extract-induced AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Histopathological analysis revealed that both ear swelling and leucocyte infiltration were suppressed by K6PC-9p treatment. K6PC-9p also suppressed IL-4 and TNF-alpha expression in the ears and mast cell infiltration into the ears in NC/Nga mice. Further study demonstrated that K6PC-9p inhibited ConA-induced IL-4 secretion and LPS-induced macrophage activation. Taken together, our results showed that topical application of K6PC-9p exerts beneficial effects in animal model of skin inflammation and AD, suggesting that K6PC-9p might be a promising topical agent for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), which is formed by phosphorylation of sphingosine through a process catalysed by sphingosine kinase (SK), is a multifunctional mediator of a variety of cellular responses including proliferation, differentiation, motility, and survival. K6PC-5, which was recently synthesized as a novel SK activator, is expected to increase S1P levels. Indeed studies have already demonstrated that K6PC-5 exhibits anti-aging effects on intrinsic aged murine skin by increasing fibroblasts, collagen synthesis, dermal thickness, and epidermal differentiation. However, photoaging and intrinsic aging have highly different clinical and histopathological properties. In this study, we developed a photoaged murine model by exposing mice that were 56 weeks old to ultraviolet (UV)B and UVA radiation for 8 weeks. We then investigated whether K6PC-5, as an SK activator, had anti-aging effects on photoaged murine skin in addition to its effects on intrinsic aged murine skin and determined the mechanism. K6PC-5 increased dermal collagen density in photoaged skin through increases in fibroblasts and collagen production. Photoaged murine skin treated with K6PC-5 showed an increase in stratum corneum (SC) integrity with increased corneodesmosome density and an improvement in barrier recovery rate. Matrix metalloproteinase 13 remained unchanged. These results indicate that topical application of K6PC-5 improves photoaged skin by improving skin barrier and increasing fibroblast count and function. In conclusion, K6PC-5, as an S1P activator, improves long-term UV-exposed aged skin as well as intrinsic aged skin.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive sphingolipid metabolite, regulates multiple cellular responses such as Ca(2+) signaling, growth, survival, and differentiation. Because sphingosine kinase (SphK) is the enzyme directly responsible for production of S1P, many factors have been identified that regulate its activity and subsequent S1P levels. Here we synthesized a previously unidentified SphK activator, K6PC-5, and have studied its effects on intracellular Ca(2+) signaling in HaCaT cells and epidermal differentiation in murine skin. K6PC-5, a hydrophobic compound chemically named N-(1,3-dihydroxyisopropyl)-2-hexyl-3-oxo-decanamide, activated SphK (obtained from C57BL/6 murine blood and F9-12 cell lysates) in a dose-dependent manner. K6PC-5 induced both intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) oscillations in HaCaT cells and Ca(2+) mobilization in hairless mouse epidermis. Both dimethylsphingosine (DMS) and dihydroxysphingosine (DHS), SphK inhibitors, and transfection of SphK1-siRNA blocked K6PC-5-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i). The K6PC-5-induced [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations were dependent on thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+) stores and Ca(2+) entry, but independent of the classical phospholipase C-mediated pathway. In addition, K6PC-5 enhanced the expression of involucrin and filaggrin, specific differentiation-associated marker proteins in HaCaT cells, whereas transfection of SphK1-siRNA blocked the increase of involucrin. Topical K6PC-5 also enhanced the expression of involucrin, loricrin, filaggrin, and keratin 5 in intact murine epidermis. Finally, topical K6PC-5 inhibited epidermal hyperplasia by exerting antiproliferative effects on keratinocytes in murine epidermis. These results suggest that K6PC-5 acts to regulate both differentiation and proliferation of keratinocytes via [Ca(2+)](i) responses through S1P production. Thus, regulation of S1P levels may represent a novel approach for treatment of skin disorders characterized by abnormal differentiation and proliferation, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

PC-9S (N-Ethanol-2-mirystyl-3-oxo-stearamide) is a synthetic ceramide and has been known to be effective in atopic and psoriatic patients. K112PC-5 (2-Acetyl-N-(1,3-dihydroxyisopropyl)-tetradecanamide) is a novel ceramide derivative of PC-9S. In the present study, we examined the effect of K112PC-5 on macrophage and T lymphocyte function in primary macrophages and splenocytes, respectively, as well as the effect of topical application of K112PC-5 on skin inflammation and atopic dermatitis (AD) in mouse models. K112PC-5 inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitrite generation in mouse peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. However, K112PC-5 did not affect concanavalin A-induced proliferation, interleukin (IL)-2 secretion and IL-4 secretion in mouse splenocytes. In addition, K112PC-5 significantly suppressed the increase in phorbol ester-induced ear thickness in BALB/c mice. Further study demonstrated that topical application of K112PC-5 also inhibited AD induced by extracts of dust mites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, in NC/Nga mice. Taken together, these results showed that K112PC-5 exerted an anti-inflammatory effect both in vitro and in vivo and proved to be beneficial in an animal model of AD. Our results suggest that K112PC-5 might be beneficial as a topical agent for the treatment of AD.

Background: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive sphingolipid metabolite, regulates multiple cellular responses such as Ca(2+) signaling, growth, survival, and differentiation. Because sphingosine kinase (SK) is the enzyme directly responsible for the production of S1P, many factors have been identified that regulate its activity and subsequent S1P levels. To date, there are no reports to demonstrate a chemically induced, direct activation of SK., Objective: Here we have studied the effects of K6PC-5 as a newly synthesized SK activator on fibroblast proliferation in both human fibroblasts and aged mouse skin. To demonstrate that K6PC-5 has S1P-mediated action mechanism in fibroblasts, we have measured SK-dependent intracellular Ca(2+) signaling., Methods: Fibroblasts were cultured primarily from human foreskin and were used to study the effect of K6PC-5 and S1P on intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and fibroblast proliferation. Changes in intracellular Ca(2+) were detected by fluorescence with fura-2/AM. To study skin anti-aging effects of K6PC-5, we used intrinsically aged hairless mice (56 weeks old)., Results: K6PC-5 promoted fibroblast proliferation and procollagen production in human fibroblasts significantly. K6PC-5 induced intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) oscillations in human fibroblasts. Both dimethylsphingosine and dihydroxysphingosine, SK inhibitors, and the transfection of SK1-siRNA blocked the K6PC-5-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i), an effect independent of the classical PLC/IP(3)-mediated pathway. The K6PC-5-induced [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations were dependent on thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+) stores and Ca(2+) entry. Topical application of K6PC-5 for 2 weeks to intrinsically aged hairless mice enhanced fibroblast proliferation, collagen production, and eventually increased dermal thickness (10%). K6PC-5 also promoted specific epidermal differentiation marker proteins, including involucrin, loricrin, filaggrin, and keratin 5, without any alterations on epidermal barrier function., Conclusion: These results suggest that K6PC-5 acts to regulate fibroblast proliferation through intracellular S1P production, and can further promote keratinocyte differentiation. We anticipate that the regulation of S1P levels may represent a novel approach for the treatment of skin disorders, including skin aging.

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is known to be involved in epidermal permeability barrier function homeostasis. PAR-2 activation occurs after barrier disruption and further activation of PAR-2 by activating peptide significantly delays barrier recovery rate. Cockroach and house dust mite allergens, both known to be associated with the development of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, have protease activity, which can activate PAR-2. In this study, we investigated the effects of both allergens on the epidermal barrier function as well as on the epidermal calcium gradient. Both allergens, when topically applied on the barrier-disrupted site, increased protease activities in the epidermis and delayed barrier recovery and lamellar body secretion in murine skin. The topical application of PAR-2-specific antagonist or protease inhibitors normalized the barrier recovery. Cockroach allergens induced intracellular calcium oscillations in cultured human keratinocytes through PAR-2-involved pathway, which was confirmed by desensitization protocol. Abnormal calcium ion distribution after barrier disruption was also observed in allergens-applied skin. These results suggest that allergens with protease activity can influence the epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis through PAR-2 activation and consequent modulation of the calcium ions in skin.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. K6PC-9 (N-Ethanol-2-hexyl-3-oxo-decanamide) is a novel synthetic ceramide derivative of PC-9S (N-Ethanol-2-mirystyl-3-oxo-stearamide), which was known to be effective in atopic and psoriatic patients. To investigate the immunomodulatory activity of K6PC-9, we examined the effect of K6PC-9 on T lymphocyte and macrophage function and the effect of topical application of K6PC-9 on skin inflammation and AD-like skin lesions in mouse models. K6PC-9 had no effect on concanavalin A-induced proliferation, interleukin (IL)-2 secretion and IL-4 secretion in mouse splenocytes. In contrast, lipopolysaccharide-induced nitrite generation was potently suppressed by K6PC-9 in mouse peritoneal macrophages. In mouse model of skin inflammation, K6PC-9 inhibited phorbol ester-induced increase in ear thickness and expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the ear of BALB/c mice. Topical application of K6PC-9 also suppressed mite extract-induced AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Increase in ear thickness was significantly inhibited by K6PC-9 in this model. K6PC-9 also blocked the infiltration of mast cells and neutrophils into the ear. Further study demonstrated that the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and adhesion molecules, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, was also suppressed by K6PC-9 in the ear of mite extract-treated NC/Nga mice. Taken together, the results presented in this report show that K6PC-9 has an anti-inflammatory potential and exerts beneficial effects in an animal model of AD, indicating that K6PC-9 might be used as a topical agent for the treatment of AD.

Ceramide is an important constituent of stratum corneum lipids, which act as both physical barriers and signal modulators. We synthesized several ceramide derivatives and investigated their effects on keratinocyte differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the novel synthetic ceramide derivatives K6PC-4 [N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2-hexyl-3-oxo-decanamide], K6PC-5, [N-(1,3-dihydroxypropyl-2-hexyl-3-oxo-decanamide] and K6PC-9 (N-ethanol-2-hexyl-3-oxo-decanamide) [corrected] These ceramide derivatives elicited a rapid transient increase in intracellular calcium levels, which were measured using laser scanning confocal microscopy. In addition, K6PC-4, K6PC-5, and K6PC-9 stimulated the phosphorylation of p42/44 extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. In a reconstituted epidermis model, K6PC-4, K6PC-5, and K6PC-9 significantly increased keratin 1 expression in the suprabasal layer. These results indicate that these novel synthetic ceramide derivatives have the potential to promote keratinocyte differentiation, suggesting that the lipid molecules are applicable for treating skin diseases involving abnormal keratinocyte differentiation.

Skin atrophy is one of the most frequent side-effects of the topical glucocorticoid. Skin barrier impairment has also been reported as a steroid-induced side effect. Although there have been various studies on preventing or minimizing this atrophogenic effect, little has been reported about preventing barrier impairment. This study was performed to determine the effects of a multilamellar emulsion (MLE) that had a well-ordered lamellar structure on the steroid-induced barrier impairment and epidermal atrophy. To confirm these effects of MLE, 0.05% clobetasol-17-propionate (CP) and 0.05% clobetasol-17-propionate in MLE (MLE/CP) were topically applied to both flanks of hairless mice for 9 days. The topically applied CP induced a significant impairment of the epidermal permeability barrier, and MLE/CP also did not have a preventive effect on this change. However, skinfold thickness studies and histological studies showed that MLE/CP significantly reduced the steroid-induced atrophy. The topical application of MLE/CP was also shown to have a preventive effect on the steroid-induced increase of the stratum corneum (SC) surface pH. In addition, the electron microscopic findings showed relatively well-conserved lamellar bilayers in the skin treated with MLE, as compared to CP only. The results showed that the topical application of MLE immediately after CP treatment prevented the glucocorticoid-induced transepidermal water loss values increase. Light microscopy measurements showed that the skin treated with MLE immediately after CP treatment for 1 week had a slightly lower decline of skin thickness than did the CP-treated skin. These results suggest that MLE should be effective for preventing glucocorticoid-induced epidermal atrophy and for repairing the barrier impairment.

To investigate the molecular organization and phase behavior of physiologic lipid mixtures that contain either newly synthesized pseudoceramide or type III synthetic ceramide, various analytical techniques were used. The phase transition temperatures detected in differential scanning calorimetry analysis were 51.19 and 50.52 for the pseudoceramide-containing physiologic lipid mixture and synthetic type III ceramide-containing lipid mixture, respectively. From the small angle XRD patterns, the multilamellar emulsion-pseudoceramide showed 11.5 nm and 7.61 nm lamellar phases, while the multilamellar emulsion-synthetic ceramide showed only a 7.61 nm lamellar phase. The nonceramide containing lipid mixture did not show any distinct repeat pattern. Lateral packing distances of multilamellar emulsion-pseudoceramide and multilamellar emulsion-synthetic ceramide were measured as 0.4119 and 0.4110 nm at 30, respectively, which indicated the presence of hexagonal lattice. On the contrary, non-multilamellar emulsion did not show any definite repeat pattern. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed nearly comparable lamellar structures in all of the tested emulsions compared to the structure of human stratum corneum intercellular lipid. Decrease of water contents resulted in phase transition into liquid phase for all the tested emulsions, whereas phase transition into orthorhombic phase was observed only in multilamellar emulsion-pseudoceramide. From these results, we concluded that the molecular organization of multilamellar emulsion-pseudoceramide was characterized as the lateral hexagonal phase and both the long and short periodicity lamellar phases, which showed structural similarity with the native human stratum corneum intercellular lipid.