Surfactant-induced dermatitis: comparison of corneosurfametry with predictive testing on human and reconstructed skin.
BACKGROUND
Surfactants elicit alterations in the stratum corneum. Predictive tests that avoid animal experimentation are needed.


OBJECTIVE
This study compares three methods of rating and predicting shampoo-induced irritation.


METHODS
Corneosurfametry entails collection of stratum corneum followed by brief contact with diluted surfactants and measurement of variations in staining of samples.


RESULTS
Corneosurfametry appears to correlate well with in vivo testing in volunteers with sensitive skin. However, corneosurfametry presents less interindividual variability than in vivo testing and allows better discrimination among mild products. Morphologic information about surfactant-induced loosening of corneocytes may be increased by testing surfactants on human skin equivalent. Results are similar to those provided by specimens used for corneosurfametry.


CONCLUSIONS
The corneosurfametric prediction of surfactant irritancy correlates with in vivo testing and with in vitro evaluation on human skin equivalent.
Piérard
G E
GE
Department of Dermatopathology, University of Liège, Belgium.
Goffin
V
V
Hermanns-Lê
T
T
Arrese
J E
JE
Piérard-Franchimont
C
C
D000328:Adult; D003124:Colorimetry; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006203:Hair Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000187:drug effects
D006203:Hair Preparations; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha