An experimental approach to study the binding properties of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) during hairless mouse skin permeation.
An experimental approach to study the binding properties of vitamin E has been developed. Total vitamin E solubility in the skin was determined by a partition study, followed by in vitro skin permeation studies with whole skin and stripped skin. The amount of freely diffusable vitamin E in the diffusion process was determined from the permeation profiles of whole skin and stripped skin by employing a bi-layer model. The concentrations of vitamin E in the stratum corneum and viable dermis were determined separately. By subtracting this amount from the total concentration of vitamin E in the skin, as determined by the solubility study, the amount of bound vitamin E was determined. After skin permeation reached a steady state, the donor solution was removed and the permeation study continued (desorption study). During the entire period of the desorption experiment, the amount of vitamin E in the receptor solution hardly increased and remained constant. After the desorption experiment, vitamin E still remaining in the skin was determined by extracting with tissue solubilizer, SOLABLE, and is considered as the amount of vitamin E strongly bound in the skin. The concentrations of bound vitamin E determined by permeation and desorption studies coincided relatively well. To further investigate skin binding of vitamin E, a differential scanning calorimetry study was performed. Vitamin E-treated stratum corneum showed phase transitions at 76 and 85 degrees C, associated with lipid transitions. The thermal transitions associated with the lipid transition suggested interactions of vitamin E with lipid components of the skin. During skin permeation, vitamin E forms a very strong reservoir in the skin tissue and this amount of vitamin E, about 30%, exists as a bound-form with the lipid components of the stratum corneum.
Lee
A R
AR
College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Korea. aeri@center.duksung.ac.kr
Tojo
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008812:Mice, Hairless; D010539:Permeability; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D014810:Vitamin E