Evaluation of a human bio-engineered skin equivalent for drug permeation studies

• Published in: Pharmaceutical research Vol. 17; no. 9; pp. 1092 - 1097
• Main Authors: ASBILL, Charles, NANHYE KIM, EL-KATTAN, Ayman, CREEK, Kim, WERTZ, Philip, MICHNIAK, Bozena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01.09.2000; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacokinetics; Biological and medical sciences; Cadavers; Caffeine; Caffeine - pharmacokinetics; Carcinogens - pharmacokinetics; Cattle; Collagen; Drug delivery systems; Fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - chemistry; Fibroblasts - metabolism; General pharmacology; Humans; Humidity; Hydrocortisone - pharmacokinetics; Laboratory animals; Lipids; Male; Medical sciences; Membrane Lipids - chemistry; Mice; Permeability; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors - pharmacokinetics; Skin Absorption; Skin, Artificial; Tamoxifen - pharmacokinetics; Transdermal medication; Human; Delivery system; Corticosteroid; Transdermal system; Pharmaceutical technology; CNS stimulant; Psychotropic; Bronchodilator; Antiinflammatory agent; Permeation; Lipids; Permeability; Hydrocortisone; In vitro; Tamoxifene; Keratinocyte; Models; Skin; Xanthine derivatives; Diffusion; Non steroid compound; Fibroblast; Caffeine
• ISSN: 0724-8741; 1573-904X
• DOI: 10.1023/a:1026405712870

To test the barrier function of a bio-engineered human skin (BHS) using three model drugs (caffeine, hydrocortisone, and tamoxifen) in vitro. To investigate the lipid composition and microscopic structure of the BHS. The human skin substitute was composed of both epidermal and dermal layers, the latter having a bovine collagen matrix. The permeability of the BHS to three model drugs was compared to that obtained in other percutaneous testing models (human cadaver skin, hairless mouse skin, and EpiDerm). Lipid analysis of the BHS was performed by high performance thin layered chromatography. Histological evaluation of the BHS was performed using routine H&E staining. The BHS mimicked human skin in terms of lipid composition, gross ultrastructure, and the formation of a stratum corneum. However, the permeability of the BHS to caffeine, hydrocortisone, and tamoxifen was 3-4 fold higher than that of human cadaver skin. In summary, the results indicate that the BHS may be an acceptable in vitro model for drug permeability testing.