Penetration of benzo[a]pyrene through human buccal and vaginal mucosa.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare buccal and vaginal mucosa with respect to their permeability to a potent carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene.


METHODS
Six clinically healthy vaginal mucosa specimens (mean patient age +/- standard deviation, 52+/-13.4 years; age range, 37-69 years) and 6 buccal mucosa specimens (from 5 male patients and 1 female patient: mean patient age +/- standard deviation, 32+/-5.2 years; age range, 24-39 years) were obtained during surgery. In vitro flux rates of benzo[a]pyrene across specimens were determined through use of a flow-through diffusion apparatus. Analysis of variance, a Duncan multiple range test, and an unpaired t test were used to determine steady state kinetics and flux differences over time intervals.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences were observed between the overall mean flux values of benzo[a]pyrene across the 2 kinds of mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings further support the hypothesis that human vaginal mucosa can be used as a model for buccal mucosa in studies of permeability to various chemical compounds.
van der Bijl
P
P
Oral and Dental Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
van Eyk
A D
AD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004058:Diffusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D010539:Permeability; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism
D002273:Carcinogens; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene