title: Role of transdermal potential difference during iontophoretic drug delivery.
abstract: Potential differences have been measured during transdermal iontophoresis in order to establish the effect of voltage, as opposed to current, on cutaneous blood flow. It is known that, even in the absence of drugs, the iontophoresis current can sometimes produce increased blood flow. The role of voltage in this process is studied through single-ended measurements (between electrode and body) of the potential difference during iontophoresis with 100-microA, 20-s current pulses through deionized water, saturated 20.4% NaCl solution, 1% acetylcholine, and 1% sodium nitroprusside. It is found that the voltage needed to deliver the current varied by orders of magnitudes less than the differences in the conductance of these different electrolytes, and it is concluded that, at least for the present current protocol, the voltage as such is not an important factor in increasing the blood flow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
authors.forename: Andriy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bandrivskyy
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernjak
authors.forename: Peter V E
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: McClintock
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stefanovska
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009599:Nitroprusside; D000109:Acetylcholine