title: Reservoir function of the stratum corneum: development of an in vivo method to quantitatively determine the stratum corneum reservoir for topically applied substances.
abstract: Investigations on the stratum corneum (SC) reservoir for topically applied substances are of importance in dermatologic science in order to assess the pharmacokinetics of these substances. In the present study, an in vivo method was developed to determine the SC reservoir quantitatively and to investigate the temporal behavior of this reservoir. Therefore, increasing amounts of an oil-in-water emulsion (o/w emulsion) containing 4% of a chemical UV filter were topically applied onto the flexor forearms of 5 healthy volunteers. The saturation of the SC reservoir was determined utilizing the tape stripping technique 1 and 6 h after application. The capacity of the SC reservoir for the o/w emulsion was found to be approximately 2.7 mg/cm(2). Furthermore, a correlation of the capacity of the SC with transepidermal water loss was observed. Extending the time between the topical application and SC removal did not affect the distribution or the recovery rate of the UV filter in the SC. The results indicate that the reservoir of the SC is limited. This is reflected by the saturation level, which depends on the individual volunteer and, presumably, the topically applied substances and formulations used. The results show that the method developed is suited to quantitatively determine in vivo the SC reservoir for topically applied substances.
authors.affiliation: Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty Charité, Berlin, Germany. alexa.teichmann@charite.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teichmann
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jacobi
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Weigmann
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sterry
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lademann
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D004341:Drug Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D013473:Sunscreening Agents