Ultrastructural Evidence of Stratum Corneum Permeabilization Induced by Photomechanical Waves

• Published in: Journal of investigative dermatology Vol. 121; no. 1; pp. 104 - 109
• Main Authors: Menon, Gopinathan K., Kollias, Nikiforos, Doukas, Apostolos G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Danvers, MA Elsevier Inc 01.07.2003; Nature Publishing; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Membrane Permeability - radiation effects; Dermatology; drug delivery; Drug Delivery Systems; Epidermis - radiation effects; Epidermis - ultrastructure; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lasers; Light; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Physical Stimulation; Pressure; shock waves; transdermal delivery; transdermal delivery; drug delivery; shock waves; Human; Stratum corneum; drug delivery/ shock waves/transdermal delivery; Ultrastructure; Skin; Biological effect; Permeability; Shock wave; Mechanical wave
• ISSN: 0022-202X; 1523-1747
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.2003.12302.x

Photomechanical waves (high amplitude pressure transients generated by lasers) have been shown to permeabilize the stratum corneum in vivo and facilitate the transport of macromolecules into the viable epidermis. The permeabilization of the stratum corneum is transient and its barrier function recovers. Sites on the volar forearm of humans were exposed to photomechanical waves and biopsies were obtained immediately after the exposure and processed for electron microscopy. Electron microscopy showed an expansion of the lacunar spaces within the stratum corneum lipid bilayers but no changes in the organization of the secreted lamellar bodies at the stratum corneum–stratum granulosum boundary. The combination of photomechanical waves and sodium lauryl sulfate enhances the efficiency of transdermal delivery and delays the recovery of the barrier function of the stratum corneum. Electron microscopy from sites exposed to photomechanical waves and sodium lauryl sulfate showed that the lacunar spaces expanded significantly more and the secreted lamellar bodies also appeared to be altered. In either case, there were no changes in the papillary dermis. These observations support the hypothesis that the photomechanical waves induce the expansion of the lacunar spaces within the stratum corneum leading to the formation of transient channels.