The objective of this study is to image and detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in the UVB-exposed three-dimensional human skin equivalent model (HSEM), EpiDerm (TM) 200, because the alternative system needs to be urgently established as a replacement for the skin of experimental animals. Evidence that the ROS generation is enhanced in the skin of live animals after the UVB exposure was already obtained, by using the real-time chemiluminescent (RT-CL) method consisting of a sensitive CL probe (CLA) and an ultralow light imaging apparatus. In this study, CL emission due to the reaction of CLA with endogenously generated ROS increased significantly in the UVB-treated HSEM compared with that in the intact HSEM, the maximum level being observed at a dose of 27 MJ/cm(2). ROS under UVB exposure was identified to be O-.(2)- and O-1(2) as observed by suppressive effects of SOD and P-carotene topically applied on sample surface before the UVB exposure. The results for UVB-induced ROS generation in HSEM were consistent with those observed in the skin of live animals. HSEM combined with the RT-CL method was shown to be useful system not only to predict UVB-induced ROS-related skin responses in human but also to find protective agents against UVB-stimulated oxidative stress in place of animals and ex vivo human skin. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.