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Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(09): 783-788
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1331173
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Potential of the Skin as a Readout System to Test Artificial Turf Systems: Clinical and Immunohistological Effects of a Sliding on Natural Grass and Artificial Turf

M. Peppelman
1   Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Dermatology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
,
W.A. J. van den Eijnde
2   Consumersvoice, Sint Nicolaasga, Netherlands
,
A.M. G. Langewouters
1   Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Dermatology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
,
M. O. Weghuis
3   Ten Cate, Thiolon bv, Nijverdal, Netherlands
,
P.E. J. van Erp
1   Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Dermatology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 25 October 2012

Publication Date:
26 February 2013 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction of skin with natural grass and artificial turf at clinical, histological and immunohistochemical level. Therefore, 14 male volunteers performed slidings on dry natural grass, wet natural grass and artificial turf. Directly and 24 h after the slidings, a clinical picture and a 3-mm punch biopsy of the lesion were taken. Paraffin sections (6 µm) were hematoxylin-eosin stained. Immunohistochemistry was performed for CD3, hBD-2, K16, K10, Ki67 and HSP70. Clinically, a sliding performed on artificial turf caused less erythema but more abrasion compared to natural grass. At histological level, artificial turf or dry natural grass damaged the stratum corneum the most. Directly after the sliding, CD3, hBD-2, K16, K10, Ki67 and HSP70 expression was normal. 24 h after a sliding on artificial turf or dry natural grass, an increase of K16, hBD-2 and HSP70 expression was observed. In this pilot study it was not possible to clearly distinguish between skin damage induced by a sliding on artificial turf and natural grass. However, small differences at clinical and histological level seem to exist. This demonstrates the potential of the skin as readout system to evaluate artificial turf systems and mechanical skin damage.

Key words

artificial turf - soccer - skin injury - sliding
 

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