Amperometric Determination of Sulfhydryl Changes in Mouse Epidermis and Dermis During Treatment with Certain Polycyclic Hydrocarbons. ∗

Abstract

Summary

An amperometric titration method for determining sulfhydryl groups was applied to mouse skin. The total sulfhydryl, the protein sulfhydryl and by subtraction, the soluble sulfhydryl contents were determined after painting with anthracene, DBA, DMBA, or a combination of the 2 carcinogens. The anthracene and the solvent, acetone, had no effect on the sulfhydryl levels. In general the shape of the curve of the total sulfhydryl content of the epidermis and dermis was the same, although the dermis contained approximately half that of the epidermis. For the most part, the effect on the protein sulfhydryl paralleled the corresponding total sulfhydryl curve. Most of the change in the soluble sulfhydryl level is presumed to occur in the epidermis. No cause and effect relationship to carcinogenesis or anticarcinogenesis is supported by these observations on the sulfhydryl groups of the skin.