Wistar Rat as Photoaging Mouse Model

Background The increasing of human life expectancy may cause aging problems, including photoaging. Photoaging raises new problems in community, because its influence in human self-esteem and quality of life. Studies about photoaging have been extensively performed to enhance the basic mechanism of photoaging. Mouse skin is usually used as cutaneous aging model, because it is genetically similar to human skin. Methods This study was true experimental study, post test only-control group design that was aimed to evaluate the role of ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation to produce photoaging mouse model. Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided randomly allocation into 2 groups, namely non-UV irradiated group and UV irradiated group. Ultraviolet B irradiation were performed for 5 weeks until reaching the total dose 3100 mJ/cm2. Dermal collagen density and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) level were evaluated after the intervention. Results Dermal collagen density in non-UV irradiated group and UV irradiated group were 38.21±2.67 and 27.73±0.77. TEWL level in non-UV irradiated group and UV irradiated group were 7.55±0.89 g/m2/h and 17.53±3.94 g/m2/h. There was significant difference between the groups in dermal collagen density and TEWL level (p<0.05). Conclusion Wistar rat in UV irradiated group that were given total dose 3100 mJ/cm2 of UV B for 5 weeks has been proven to become photoaging mouse model.