Disparate Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Cultured Human Cutaneous Fibroblasts, Keratinocytes, and Melanocytes

Antioxidant enzyme activities of cultured human foreskin fibroblasts, keratinocytes and melanocytes from healthy black and Caucasian donors were measured and compared. Fibroblasts had more (p < 0.05) peroxidase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity than keratinocytes. Keratinocytes had more (p < 0.05) peroxidase, catalase, glutathione peroxidas, and superoxide dismutase activity than melanocytes. No differences in antioxidant enzyme activities were observed between the cells of any type taken from black or Caucasian people. Antioxidant enzyme activities may affect resistance to damage by oxidants induced by ultraviolet radiation and inflammation