• 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 16  (4) , 343-349
Abstract
Hairless mouse epidermis was treated topically with a single application of undiluted DMSO [dimethyl sulfoxide] [a solvent for carcinogens and promoters in carcinogenesis experiments]. Epidermal cell proliferation during the following 72 h was examined by means of DNA flow cytometry. [3H]TdR [thymidine] autoradiography, and a stathmokinetic method with colcemid. Topical application of DMSO was followed by perturbations in the epidermal cell proliferation that were in general similar to those observed in epidermal regeneration due to sudden cell loss. In contrast to such regenerative reactions, no hyperplasia could be detected after DMSO treatment, in spite of a consistently increased mitotic rate the first 3 days after DMSO treatment. The augmented epidermal cell production following exposure to DMSO therefore appears to be balanced by a correspondingly increased cell loss.