Regional variations in skin barrier function and cutaneous irritation due to iontophoresis in human subjects.

The effect of saline iontophoresis on skin barrier function and irritation was investigated on three body sites (abdomen, chest and upper arm) in order to select an appropriate site for iontophoretic delivery of drugs. Thirty healthy human volunteers were recruited according to specific entry criteria. Ten subjects, five males and five females, were assigned to each body site group. Skin barrier function and irritation was examined after 4 h of saline iontophoresis at a current density of 0.2 mA/cm(2) on a 6.5 cm(2) area in terms of the measured responses: transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin capacitance, skin temperature and visual scores. Alterations in TEWL due to iontophoresis were not observed in the upper arm and chest; however, changes in TEWL at the abdomen were observed and returned to baseline 2 h after patch removal. Similarly, changes in capacitance due to iontophoresis returned to baseline (P>0.05) at the three body sites 2 h after patch removal except under the anode at the abdomen (P<0.05). There was a significant increase in skin temperature due to iontophoresis at the anode and the cathode (P<0.05) at the upper arm. Edema was not observed. At patch removal, the erythema score was significantly (P<0.001) elevated in comparison to baseline at the three body sites. Erythema resolved within 24 h except at the chest under the anode, where the erythema score was still higher (P<0.01) than the baseline. Papules appeared in five subjects at the active anode site on the chest. In three of the subjects, these papules did not resolve until 24 h post patch removal. Thus, there was regional variation in the function of the skin and irritation due to iontophoresis. Irritation was greater at the chest than at the abdomen or upper arm.     

Effect of saline iontophoresis on skin barrier function and cutaneous irritation in four ethnic groups.

The effect of saline iontophoresis on skin barrier function and irritation was investigated in four ethnic groups (Caucasians, Hispanics, Blacks and Asians). Forty healthy human volunteers were recruited according to specific entry criteria. Ten subjects, five males and five females, were assigned to each ethnic group. Skin barrier function was examined after 4 hours of saline iontophoresis at a current density of 0.2 mA/cm(2) on a 6.5 cm(2) area in terms of the measured responses: transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin capacitance, skin temperature and visual scores. There were significant differences in TEWL among the ethnic groups prior to patch application. TEWL at baseline in ethnic groups was in the rank order: Caucasian>Asian>Hispanic>Black. Iontophoresis was generally well tolerated, and skin barrier function was not irreversibly affected by iontophoresis in any group. There was no significant skin temperature change, compared to baseline, in any ethnic groups at any observation point. Edema was not observed. At patch removal, the erythema score was elevated in comparison to baseline in all ethnic groups; erythema resolved within 24 hours. Thus, saline iontophoresis produced reversible changes in skin barrier function and irritation in healthy human subjects.     

Percutaneous absorption and skin irritation of JP-8 (jet fuel)

JP-8 is the major jet fuel used by US Army and Air Force. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the percutaneous absorption of JP-8 across pig ear skin and human skin in vitro and to study the effect of JP-8 exposure on the skin barrier function and irritation in Yucatan minipigs. JP-8 spiked with 5.0 microCi of radiolabeled (14C) tridecane, nonane, naphthalene or toluene (selected components of JP-8) was used for the in vitro percutaneous absorption studies with excised pig ear skin and human skin. For in vivo studies, 250 microl of JP-8 or two of its components (toluene or nonane) was placed in a Hill top chamber(R) and affixed over the marked treatment area for 24 h. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin capacitance (moisture content) and skin irritation (erythema and edema) were evaluated before treatment and at 1,2 and 24 h after removal of the patches. The components of JP-8 such as tridecane, nonane, naphthalene and toluene permeated significantly through pig ear skin and human skin and the permeation rates were found to be proportional to their composition in JP-8. The steady state flux values of tridecane across pig ear skin and human skin did not differ significantly (P>0.05). Though the steady state flux values of nonane, naphthalene and toluene were statistically different between porcine and human skin (P<0.01), the values were close considering the large variations usually observed in the percutaneous absorption studies. Application of toluene, nonane or JP-8 increased the TEWL, JP-8 being the highest (3.5 times at 24 h compared to baseline level). The skin moisture content decreased after the application of JP-8, though it was not significantly different (P>0.05) from the baseline level. JP-8 caused a moderate erythema and a moderate to severe edema. Though the edema decreased after 24 h, the degree of erythema remained about the same until 24 h. The skin irritation caused by JP-8 was greater than neat toluene or nonane. The TEWL data of toluene, nonane and JP-8 correlated well with the skin irritation data (erythema and edema). Exposure of JP-8, which contains hundreds of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, caused significant changes in the barrier function of the skin as indicated by an increase in TEWL and produced a significant erythema and edema in minipigs. Furthermore, the disruption of barrier function of skin, as indicated by increased TEWL after exposure to JP-8 might result in increased permeation of its own components and/or other chemicals exposed to skin. The present study provides further evidence that pig ear skin may be used as a model for predicting the rates of permeation of chemicals through human skin.     

Human percutaneous absorption of a direct hair dye comparing in vitro and in vivo results: Implications for safety assessment and animal testing

Although in vitro skin absorption studies often detect small residues of applied test material in the epidermis/dermis, it is uncertain whether the residue is within the living skin. We studied the dermal absorption of a hair dye hydroxyanthraquinone–aminopropyl methyl morpholinium methosulphate (HAM) in human skin in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, skin (back and scalp) received 0.5% HAM in a commercial formulation at 20 μg/cm² After 0.5 or 48 h, skin was tape stripped, followed by cyanoacrylate biopsies (CAB). Sebum from scalp sites was collected for 48 h. In vitro, skin was treated with 20 mg/cm² dye for 0.5 h, penetration determined after 24 h. In vivo, at 0.5 h, total recovery (back) was 0.67 μg/cm² (tape strips + CAB). Fluorescence microscopy showed HAM in the hair follicle openings (HFO). At 0.5 h, scalp tape strips contained 1.80 μg/cm², HFO 0.82 μg/cm². At 48 h, HFO contained 0.21 μg/cm², sebum 0.80 μg/cm². In vivo, skin residues were in the non-living skin and eliminated via desquamation and sebum secretion. In vitro, the SC contained 1.50 μg/cm², epidermis/dermis 0.86 μg/cm², receptor fluid < 0.04 μg/cm², a total of 0.90 μg/cm² was considered to be bioavailable. In vitro epidermis/dermis residues were nearly identical to those located in non-living skin in vivo. In conclusion, in vitro percutaneous penetration studies may produce seemingly bioavailable material , which raises the need for a Threshold of Skin Absorption (TSA) addressing a negligible dermal absorption in order to avoid unnecessary in vivo toxicity studies on substances that produce no significant human systemic exposure.     

Dermal toxicity and microscopic alterations by JP-8 jet fuel components in vivo in rabbit

In this study, we investigated the skin irritation, macroscopic and microscopic barrier alteration in vivo in rabbits from aliphatic and aromatic components of jet propellant-8 (JP-8) jet fuel. Macroscopic barrier properties were evaluated by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin capacitance, and skin temperature; microscopic changes were observed by light microscopy. Draize visual scoring system was used to measure skin irritation. We found significant (P<0.05) increase in temperature at the site of all chemically saturated patches immediately after patch removal in comparison to the control site. Tridecane (TRI) produced a greater increase in temperature and capacitance at all time points than all the other components of JP-8. Both the aliphatic and aromatic components increased the TEWL at all time points. Tridecane produced greater increase in TEWL followed by naphthalene (NAP), 1-methylnaphthalene (1-MN), 2-metylnaphthalene (2-MN), tetradecane (TET), and dodecane (DOD). All of the above components of JP-8 caused moderate to severe erythema and edema, which were not resolved to the baseline even after 24 h of patch removal. Light microscopy revealed an increase in epidermal thickness (ET), and decrease in length and thickness of collagen fibers’ bundle by the above components of JP-8. These results suggest potential dermatotoxicity from the JP-8 components.     

Pharmacokinetic and local tissue disposition of [14C]sodium diclofenac following iontophoresis and systemic administration in rabbits.

The systemic pharmacokinetics and local drug distribution of sodium diclofenac in skin and underlying tissues was studied. Iontophoresis facilitated local and systemic delivery of diclofenac sodium compared with passive diffusion. The maximum plasma concentration of sodium diclofenac was achieved within 1 h of iontophoresis, and the delivery was proportional to applied current density (371 +/- 141 and 132 +/- 62 microg/L at 0.5 and 0.2 mA/cm(2), respectively). The in vivo delivery efficiency for diclofenac in rabbit was 0.15 mg/mA.h. The concentrations of sodium diclofenac in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle beneath the drug application site (cathode) were significantly greater than plasma concentrations and concentrations of drug in similar tissues at the untreated sites. The results thus suggest that the cutaneous microvasculature is not always a perfect "sink" and that transdermal iontophoresis facilitated the direct penetration of diclofenac sodium to deeper tissues. No skin irritation was observed up to 0.5 mA/cm(2) current density and 7 mg/mL sodium diclofenac concentration.     

Quantification and localization of fentanyl and trh delivered by iontophoresis in the skin

Autoradiography and the technique of stripping/slicing were used in order to investigate the pathways and to quantify drug penetration into skin after iontophoresis of two model compounds: fentanyl, a lipophilic molecule and TRH, a hydrophilic molecule. Iontophoresis was performed for 1, 4 and 6 h at a mean current density of 0.33 mA/cm² and was compared to passive diffusion. The quantification studies showed that iontophoresis increases the drug concentration in the part of the skin limiting molecule permeation: viable skin for fentanyl and stratum corneum for TRH. Even though, besides accumulation, autoradiography allows one to localize the route of passage, observations tend to confirm that transepidermal penetration can take place and that an important route of penetration is the transappendageal pathway.     

Percutaneous penetration of octyl salicylate from representative sunscreen formulations through human skin in vitro

The human skin penetration of [¹⁴C]octyl salicylate from two representative sunscreen vehicles was determined in vitro. ³H-sucrose was incorporated into all formulations and provided a marker for membrane integrity. When applied as a finite dose in an oil-in-water emulsion vehicle containing 5% (w/w) octyl salicylate, the average total absorption of ¹⁴C over 48 hr was 0.65 ± 0.16% of the applied dose (representing a total amount permeated of 1.58 ± 0.36 μg/cm²). When applied as an infinite dose in the oil-in-water emulsion vehicle the average total absorption of ¹⁴C over 48 hr was 0.47 ± 0.22% of the applied dose (representing a total amount permeated of 27.54 ± 13.91 μg/cm²). When applied as a finite dose in a representative hydroalcoholic formulation containing 5% (w/w) octyl salicylate, the average total absorption of ¹⁴C over 48 hr was 0.59 ± 0.09% of the applied dose (representing a total amount permeated of 1.58 ± 0.25 μg/cm²). When applied as an infinite dose in the hydroalcoholic formulation the average total absorption of ¹⁴C over 48 hr was 0.23 ± 0.05% of the applied dose (representing a total amount permeated of 11.28 ± 2.55 μg/cm²). The penetration of [¹⁴C]salicylic acid [applied at a concentration of 2.7% (w/w), in the oil-in-water emulsion] was also determined. When applied as a finite dose the average total absorption of ¹⁴C over 48 hr was 1.14 ± 0.23% of the applied dose (representing a total amount permeated of 1.65 ± 0.39 μg/cm²). These results suggest that the in vitro human skin permeation of octyl salicylate is relatively low. The amounts of octyl salicylate and salicylic acid permeated when applied in similar vehicles were remarkably similar over 48 hr (1.58 μg/cm² and 1.65 μg/cm², respectively). This suggests the possibility that the ¹⁴C label appearing in the receptor fluid may, in both cases, represent salicylic acid. If this is the case, then it is possible that the amount of octyl salicylate permeating through the skin is much less than that suggested by the data obtained here. This supposition is, however, entirely speculative and has yet to be confirmed experimentally.     

Effect of jet fuels on the skin morphology and irritation in hairless rats

Jet A and JP-8 are the major jet fuels used in civilian and military (US Air Force) flights, respectively. JP-8+100 is a new jet fuel recently introduced by US Air Force in some of its locations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dermal exposure of jet fuels (Jet A, JP-8, and JP-8+100) on the skin morphology, barrier function, moisture content, blood flow, and skin irritation (erythema and edema) in hairless rats. Jet fuels were applied by both occlusive and unocclusive methods. The skin of treated and control (untreated) sites were excised and analyzed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (500 MHz, 11.7 Tesla). Unocclusive application of JP-8, Jet A, and JP-8+100 increased the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) gradually and the values at 120 h were significantly greater than the baseline value (P<0.05). Both occlusive and unocclusive application of jet fuels decreased the skin moisture content significantly (P<0.05). Unocclusive application of JP-8, Jet A, and JP-8+100 increased the skin blood flow, though the values returned to the baseline levels within 24 h. Occlusive application of jet fuels (8 h/day for 2 days) caused a substantial increase in the skin blood flow and the values at 48 h were about 6-fold greater than the baseline value. Occlusive application of jet fuels caused a moderate to severe erythema and a moderate edema. MRI was used to obtain proton images and water self-diffusion maps of hairless rat skin exposed to jet fuel. Exposure to JP-8 showed the largest difference from the control with regards to visual observations of the stratum corneum and hair follicles, while JP-8+100 appeared to affect the hair follicle region. The results of the present study demonstrate that exposure to jet fuels can disrupt the skin barrier function, cause skin irritation, and alter the skin structure (stratum corneum and viable epidermis) and MRI can be used as a tool to investigate the alterations in the skin morphology after exposure to toxic chemicals.     

Percutaneous absorption and skin erythema: Quantification of capsaicin and its synthetic derivatives from gels incorporated with benzalkonium chloride by using non-invasive bioengineering methods

Nonivamide (NVA) and sodium nonivamide acetate (SNA) are synthetic derivatives of capsaicin. In this study, the cationic surfactant benzalkonium chloride was incorporated into the Carbopol 940® gel bases of capsaicin and its synthetic derivatives to evaluate the in vitro percutaneous absorption capacity. Afterwards, the optimal gel formulation selected from the in vitro study was used in a series of in vivo non-invasive bioengineering methods. To quantify the skin erythema and irritation caused by capsaicin, NVA, and SNA, laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and colorimetry were utilized for determining the cutaneous blood flow and skin barrier impairment to assess the level of irritant reaction. In the in vitro transdermal study, the gel base with 0.05% benzalkonium chloride possessed the highest penetration capacity: this was chosen for the in vivo study. After quantification of skin erythema by LDF, capsaicin developed more severe irritation than NVA, and SNA showed no skin irritation or pungent sensation in volunteers. The result of the TEWL experiment suggested that 0.05% benzalkonium chloride did not cause any skin impairment. Moreover, the Carbopol 940® gel base itself offered a moderate penetration capacity for drugs and avoided any skin irritation. The result of colorimetry confirmed that both Δa* and ΔE* parameters correlated well with the data of LDF and that they are good indicators of skin erythema response. After a series of in vivo applications, SNA was shown to be a potent analogue of capsaicin with a marked pharmacological effect and moderate percutaneous capacity and reduced skin erythema and painful sensation. Drug Dev. Res. 40:56–67, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The Effect of Saline Iontophoresis on Skin Integrity in Human Volunteers: I. Methodology and Reproducibility

This study, conducted in 36 human volunteers, was an evaluationof the effects of saline iontophoresis on skin temperature,irritation, and barrier function. The major objectives wereto assess the effects of low-level ionic currents, to validatethe proposed methodology of assessment, and to establish reproducibilityin repeated saline iontophoresis applications. This was thefirst of a multistage study designed to assess the safety of24-hr saline iontophoresis episodes at selected currents andcurrent densities. Since an iontophoresis patch challenges theskin harrier both by occluding the skin surface and by passingionic current through the skin, the experimental protocol wasdesigned to permit measurement of the contribution of each ofthese processes to the overall response. In this first stagewe investigated the effect of 10 min of current delivery, at0.1 mA/cm² on a 1-cm² area patch and 0.2 mA/cm² on a 6.5-cm²area patch compared to unpowered control patches. Twelve subjectswere tested under each condition on two separate occasions toexamine reproducibility of the response variable measurements.A further 12 subjects were tested once under the 0.2 mA/cm 6.5-cm2condition. Skin irritation was evaluated via repeated measurementsof transepidermal water loss, capacitance, skin temperature,skin color, and a visual scoring system, before the iontophoresisepisode and after patch removal. No damage to skin harrier functionin terms of skin-water loss or skin-water content was detected.Slight, subclinical, short-lasting erythema was observed forboth conditions. Assessment of correlation coefficients showedhighly statistically significant indications of reproducibilityfor all five response variables measured. The experimental design,in combination with a repeated measures analysis, provided clearseparation of the occlusion and ionic current components ofthe iontophoretic patch challenge. Further, the repeated measuresanalysis gave a highly sensitive assessment of skin irritationand resolution after patch removal. We conclude that the experimentalmethodology is appropriate for assessing possible changes inskin integrity resulting from saline iontophoresis under similaroperating conditions for longer durations and for other skinchallenges from which a subclinical response is expected.     

In vivo iontophoretic administration of ropinirole hydrochloride

This work explores the possibility of achieving therapeutic levels of the anti-Parkinsonian drug, ropinirole hydrochloride (RHCl), by transdermal iontophoretic delivery. An in vivo study was performed in hairless rats during which RH(+) was delivered at one current intensity (0.58 mA identical with 0.12 mA/cm(2)) and at three different drug concentrations (25, 125, and 250 mM). In vivo RH(+) flux and transport number were deduced from the steady-state plasma concentration values. Plasma concentration profiles and RH(+) transport numbers were independent of the drug donor concentration. The average iontophoretic input rate was about 3 micromol/h. Postiontophoresis transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was monitored and biopsies were histologically examined to identify any effects of iontophoresis on the skin. TEWL was elevated only at the anodal sites. TEWL recovery was faster for the "no-drug" control anodal sites, which suggests a combined effect of the drug and current on the skin. In conclusion, (1). the in vivo iontophoretic transport of RH(+) is independent of the drug donor concentration, and (2). iontophoresis can deliver therapeutic amounts of RH(+).     

Influence of ultrasound on the percutaneous absorption of ketorolac tromethamine in vitro across rat skin

The influence of ultrasound on percutaneous absorption of ketorolac tromethamine was studied in vitro across rat skin. Sonication was carried out with a continuous mode, at an intensity of 1-3 W/cm² and a frequency of 1 MHz for 30 min. A significant increase in permeation of ketorolac through rat skin was observed with the applied sonication at 3 W/cm² when compared with permeation at 1 and 2 W/cm². Enhanced ketorolac penetration at 3 W/cm² can be explained by the mechanical and/or thermal action of ultrasound waves. The distance of the ultrasound probe from the skin surface did not influence the flux of the drug. Pretreatment of skin by 5% d-limonene in ethanol for 2 hr followed by sonication at 3 W/cm² (30 min) significantly enhanced the permeation of ketorolac when compared with passive flux with or without enhancer pretreatment.     

Feasibility of transdermal delivery of prazosin hydrochloride

Preformulation studies were conducted to determine the feasibility of a transdermal dosage form of prazosin hydrochloride (PZHC1). A target PZHC1 skin flux of 6.3 μg/cm²/h was set to attain a steady-state plasma concentration of 10 ng/ml (from a 20-cm² skin area). The octanol/water partition coefficient of the drug and its solubility in water, phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4), and propylene glycol were measured. PZHC1 flux through human cadaver skin was determined with and without 3% (w/v) azone as a penetration enhancer. The epidermis was found to be the rate-limiting barrier for the permeation of PZHC1 through the human cadaver skin. Transdermal delivery of prazosin may be feasible with a suitable penetration enhancer.     

In vitro transdermal iontophoretic delivery of leuprolide-mechanisms under constant voltage application

The transdermal iontophoretic delivery of Leuprolide, a nonapeptide LHRH agonist was studied with the aim of understanding the mechanisms of iontophoresis. Permeation studies were carried out at pH 4.5 and 7.2, at which the average ionic valence of the drug molecule was roughly 2 and 1, respectively. Heat-separated human epidermal membrane was subjected to constant voltage within the range of 250 to 1000 mV during the iontophoretic phase. Iontophoretic enhancement at pH 7.2 was greater than at 4.5. A model for iontophoretic enhancement was developed that takes into consideration the membrane alterations caused by iontophoresis depicted as increased porosity and the permeation through lipid pathways of the stratum corneum. Model-based evaluation yielded that first, the porosity increased with the applied voltage to as much as three times the original at 1000 mV. Second, the lipid pathways contributed approx. 20% to the total permeation during the passive phase. Third, the electro-osmotic flow contributed significantly to the enhancement and its direction was from anode to cathode at pH 7.2 and the opposite at pH 4.5. The magnitude of the electro-osmotic flow was at pH 4.5 somewhat lower than at pH 7.2. Addition of a negatively charged water soluble peptide, Acetyl leucine leucinolyl phosphate as an adjuvant led to twofold increase in the enhancement factor at pH 4.5 and a decrease in the magnitude of the electro-osmotic flow from cathode to anode. Repeated iontophoretic applications of 250 mV on the same skin specimen resulted in same enhancement every time and did not cause any barrier alterations when applied for 1 h every 24 h, which was not the case if the duration between the two iontophoretic applications was only 3 h.     

The percutaneous absorption of hydroquinone (HQ) through rat and human skin in vitro

Because of the potential for human contact with photographic developer solutions containing hydroquinone (HQ), the rates of percutaneous absorption of HQ through human stratum corneum and full-thickness rat skin have been measured in vitro using 5% aqueous solutions of HQ as the donor solutions. The studies were performed using infinite doses of aqueous solutions containing ¹⁴C-labeled HQ in Franz-type diffusion cells. The measured absorption rate (mean ± S.D.) of HQ through human stratum corneum was 0.52 ± 0.13 μg/cm²/h, while that for full-thickness rat skin was 1.1 ± 0.65 μg/cm²/h. The ratio (rat/human) of the permeability constants (K_p) was 2.4. Using the definitions suggested by Marzulli et al. (1969) Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. Suppl. 3, 76–83, HQ would be classified as ‘slow’ with respect to its absorption through human stratum corneum.     

In vivo assessment of safety of microneedle arrays in human skin

Microneedle arrays are promising devices for the delivery of drugs and vaccines into or the skin. However, little is known about the safety of the microneedles. In this study we obtained insight in the ability of microneedles to disrupt the skin barrier, which was evaluated by transepidermal water loss (TEWL). We also determined the safety in terms of skin irritation (skin redness and blood flow) and pain sensation. We applied microneedle arrays varying in length and shape on the ventral forearms of 18 human volunteers. An effect of needle length was observed, as TEWL and redness values after treatment with solid microneedle arrays of 400mum were significantly increased compared to 200mum. The blood flow showed a similar trend. Needle design also had an effect. Assembled microneedle arrays induced higher TEWL values than the solid microneedle arrays, while resulting in less skin irritation. However, for all microneedles the irritation was minimal and lasted less than 2h. In conclusion, the microneedle arrays used in this study are able to overcome the barrier function of the skin in human volunteers, are painless and cause only minimal irritation. This opens the opportunity for dermal and transdermal delivery of drugs and vaccines.     

Chronic ethanol ingestion alters xenobiotic absorption through the skin: Potential role of oxidative stress

Alcohol ingestion is correlated with several skin disorders and it has been proposed that changes in skin properties may be an early indicator of alcohol misuse. Topically applied ethanol is an effective transdermal penetration enhancer; however, little is known about the effects of chronic ethanol ingestion on skin. Rats were pair fed a diet containing 36% ethanol for twelve weeks. The animals were then switched to a non-ethanol diet and were monitored for up to four weeks. Non-invasive measurements for changes in dermal blood flow using laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV), damage to skin barrier via transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and changes in skin moisture content were obtained for the experimental duration. At 0, 1 day or 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks after alcohol removal rats were euthanized and their skin was analyzed for alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase, and lipid peroxidation. Transdermal penetration of the herbicide paraquat, industrial solvent dimethyl formamide (DMF), insect repellant N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) and herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was also determined. Transdermal absorption, LDV, TEWL, skin alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase, as well as lipid peroxidation significantly increased after continuous ethanol exposure (p < 0.05). These factors remain elevated for up to four weeks after termination of ethanol consumption, showing that skin changes induced by alcohol are not immediately reversible and reflect fundamental changes in the skin itself. This work provides a starting point for examining the link between ethanol ingestion and skin disorders associated with alcohol use.     

Oxazolidines: prodrugs for the delivery of β-aminoalcohols through human skin from aqueous solution

Ephedrine (I) is delivered through human skin, in vitro, significantly faster from aqueous solutions of 3,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-oxazolidine (II) with pH values between 7.0 and 10.88 than from corresponding solutions of I. The difference in penetration rates was most marked at pH 7.0 where 917 μg and < 10 μg of I was delivered through 1.3 cm² of skin in 24 h from 1% w/v solutions of II and I, respectively. No detectable amounts of I were delivered through 1.3 cm² of skin in 24 h from 1% w/v solutions of I or II in propylene glycol and delivery of I was faster from 1% w/v solutions of I in liquid paraffin than from corresponding solutions of II. Compound II has a lower pK_a value than compound I (ca. 5.5 vs 9.63) and a higher partition coefficient between water and liquid paraffin (5.6 vs 1.0). Although II rapidly hydrolyzed to I plus formaldehyde (t_50% < 1 min at pH values between 6 and 8), the system rapidly came to an equilibrium which increasingly favoured compound II as the initial concentration of II or the pH value was increased. Hence, it can be concluded that compound II and possibly other oxazolidines are potentially useful prodrugs for promoting the delivery through skin of I and other β-aminoalcohols from aqueous solutions with pH values close to 7.     

Skin permeation enhancement effect and skin irritation of saturated fatty alcohols

Though the skin permeation enhancement effect of chemical penetration enhancers has been studied extensively, their skin irritation potential has not been adequately investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the skin permeation enhancement effect and skin irritation of saturated fatty alcohols using melatonin as a model compound. A saturated solution of melatonin in a mixture of water and ethanol (40:60) containing 5% w/v of saturated fatty alcohol was used in the skin permeation studies using Franz diffusion cells. For skin irritation studies, 230 microl of fatty alcohol solution was applied on the dorsal surface of the hairless rats using Hill top chamber. The skin irritation was evaluated by visual scoring method and bioengineering methods such as measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin blood flow. The flux of melatonin across hairless rat skin was found to be dependent on the carbon chain length of the fatty alcohols, with decanol showing the maximum permeation of melatonin. All fatty alcohols increased the TEWL and skin blood flow significantly compared with the vehicle. The fatty alcohols (decanol, undecanol and lauryl alcohol), which showed greater permeation of melatonin, also produced greater TEWL, skin blood flow and erythema. Tridecanol and myristyl alcohol showed lower permeation enhancement effect but caused greater skin irritation. Octanol and nonanol may be the most useful enhancers for the transdermal delivery of melatonin considering their lower skin irritation and a reasonably good permeation enhancement effect. However, further studies are needed to ascertain their safety as skin penetration enhancers. Skin permeation and skin irritation in experimental animals such as rats are generally higher compared with human skin. Further studies in human volunteers using fatty alcohols at the concentrations of 5% or lower may provide useful information on the utility of these fatty alcohols as permeation enhancers.