The guinea-pig: an animal model for human skin absorption of hydrocortisone, testosterone and benzoic acid?

• Published in: British journal of dermatology (1951) Vol. 102; no. 4; p. 447
• Main Authors: Andersen, K E, Maibach, H I, Anjo, M D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.04.1980
• Subjects: Animals; Benzoates - metabolism; Benzoates - urine; Female; Guinea Pigs - metabolism; Hydrocortisone - metabolism; Hydrocortisone - urine; Male; Methods; Models, Biological; Skin Absorption; Testosterone - metabolism; Testosterone - urine
• ISSN: 0007-0963; 1365-2133
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1980.tb06559.x

14C ring-labelled hydrocortisone, testosterone and benzoic acid dissolved in acetone were applied to the backs of guinea-pigs (4 microgram/cm2). Percutaneous absorption was quantified by following the excretion of tracer in urine and faeces for 5 days. Absorption of hydrocortisone and benzoic acid was 2.4% (s.d. = 0.5; n = 3) and 31.4% (s.d. = 9.1; n = 3) of the applied dose respectively, similar to published human absorption data. Testosterone was absorbed to a greater extent in guinea-pigs (34.9% +/- 5.4; n = 5) than man. A thioglycollate based depilatory cream significantly increased the skin absorption of testosterone, while the absorption velocity was unaltered. Two analytical methods were compared, direct counting versus wet ashing; results were in the same range for the three compounds. Two methods of quantifying skin absorption were compared; urine recovery corrected for incomplete urinary excretion after parenteral administration versus the addition of urine and faecal recovery. For benzoic acid, excreted mainly in the urine (88.1%), the two methods gave similar results; for testosterone, excreted in the urine to a lesser extent (46.8%), the method of addition of urine and faecal recovery appeared to be more correct.