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Influence of a commercial tattoo ink on protein production in human fibroblasts

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Abstract

Tattooing is an ancient art and is still widely practiced all over the world. Since the biocompatibility of tattoo dyes has not been well researched, we studied the toxicity of a commercial tattoo ink, commonly used in tattoo lab and esthetic centers, on human fibroblasts. To test cell viability, MTT assays were carried out and scanning electron microscopy to visualize changes in the cell surface after the dye exposure was performed. A possible influence of the pigment on the expression of procollagen α1 type I protein was visualized by western blotting analysis. The results showed a reduction in cell viability, and electron microscopy demonstrated an unmodified cell surface completely covered by pigment particles. Western blotting analysis demonstrated a clear interference of the pigment on the expression of procollagen α1 type I protein. These data demonstrated that the commercial tattoo dye has a time-dependent effect on protein expression. A possible connection of the influence of the tattoo ink with clinical effects is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the University of Bologna RFO (ex-60%), Del Monte Foundation of Bologna and Ravenna, Italy, and Servizio Sanitario Regionale Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Irnerio, 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy

    Mirella Falconi, Gabriella Teti, Michela Zago, Angela Galanzi, Alessandra Ruggeri & Giovanni Mazzotti

  2. Polo Scientifico-Didattico di Rimini, University of Bologna, 40100, Bologna, Italy

    Mirella Falconi & Michela Zago

  3. Unit of Dental Sciences and Biomaterials, Department of Biomedicine, University of Trieste, 34138, Trieste, Italy

    Lorenzo Breschi

  4. Unit of Bologna c/o IOR, IGM-CNR, Bologna, Italy

    Lorenzo Breschi

  5. Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Public Health, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy

    Susi Pelotti

Authors
  1. Mirella Falconi
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  2. Gabriella Teti
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  4. Angela Galanzi
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  7. Alessandra Ruggeri
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  8. Giovanni Mazzotti
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Correspondence to Mirella Falconi.

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Falconi, M., Teti, G., Zago, M. et al. Influence of a commercial tattoo ink on protein production in human fibroblasts. Arch Dermatol Res 301, 539–547 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-009-0953-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-009-0953-7

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