Abstract:

Objective To investigate the role of basic fibroblast growth factor in mouse skin injury in⁃ duced by clobetasol. Methods Skin damage was induced by continuously topical administration with clobetasol followed by tape stripping in C57BL/6J mice′s dorsal skin. bFGF containing gel was applied at 30 min after clobeta⁃ sol treatment. Dorsal skin image and trans ⁃epidermal water loss（TEWL）were recorded，H&E staining was con⁃ ducted in skin tissue with further histological analysis. Cell viability and tight junction protein expressions in human keratinocyte cell line，HaCaT were also determined via MTT assay and western blotting respectively. Results Compared with negative control group，skin injury was confirmed in clobetasol treated mice by rash，edema and increased TEWL，accompanied by shedding and death of epidermic cells and infiltration around the dermal layer in H&E stained skin tissue slides. However，bFGF containing gel treatment significantly attenuated skin damage and TEWL. We also noticed reduced death of epidermic cells，infiltration around the dermal layer and hemorrhage. Moreover，clobetasol stimulation mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and downregulation of tight junction protein，Claudin 1 and Claudin 2 in HaCaT in vitro. Conclusion bFGF containing gel could effectively alleviate mouse skin injury induced by successive application of clobetasol combined with tape stripping，thus provides prospective therapeutic approach for clinic corticosteroid addiction associated side effects.

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