Análise histomorfológica das alterações cutâneas ao longo do processo de envelhecimento

Abstract

Introduction: It is undeniable that senescence affects all organs and causes diverse and distinct changes in each organ. All these changes have repercussions on the skin, considered a biological marker of aging. Thus, it is essential to distinguish the signs of the natural aging process, linked to internal factors, from those of external interferences, thus establishing the causes of biological aging or senescence and the causes of pathological aging or senility. Objectives: To analyze the histomorphometric alterations of the skin of autopsied patients at the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro in three different age groups (RNs, adults and elderly). Methods: 120 skin fragments were analyzed for epidermal and dermal thickness, number of layers and diameter of keratinocytes, density of Langherans cells, percentage of collagen and elastic fibers, as well as their fractal dimensions. Statistical analysis was performed by SigmaStat® 2.03. Results: There were alterations in the epidermis throughout the age, justified by a significant increase in the thickness of the epidermis, number of layers and cell diameter from the fetal to the adult stage, where a decline begins until the age group of the elderly. In addition, the dermis also showed oscillation in its thickness, in the fibers that compose it and in its disposition. It was observed a tendency of organization of the dermal fibers, as well as in their maturation, and increase of the quantity with the advancement of the age until the adult phase, generating increase of the dermal thickness. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the skin undergoes numerous histomorphological changes in all its layers over the years. Such modifications are characterized by variation in the thickness of the epidermis and dermis, as well as in the organization and percentage of the dermal fibers. Thus, this study provides data for a better understanding of the transformations that occur in the skin during the life, and through a microscopic and meticulous analysis, one can understand in which age bands such changes are more relevant.