title: Percutaneous absorption of steroids: determination of in vitro permeability and tissue reservoir characteristics in human skin layers.
abstract: The skin localization of steroids following topical application is largely unknown. We determined the distribution of five steroids in human skin using excised epidermal, dermal, and full-thickness membranes in vitro. There was no significant difference in steroid maximum flux through epidermal and full-thickness membranes, other than significantly lower fluxes for the most polar steroid, aldosterone. Hydrocortisone had the highest dermal diffusivity and dermal penetration, and the accumulation of hydrocortisone and corticosterone was higher than that of the other steroids. Slower penetration and higher accumulation in the viable epidermis of progesterone in full-thickness skin were consistent with dermal penetration limitation effects associated with high lipophilicity.
authors.affiliation: Therapeutics Research Unit, Southern Clinical Division, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Magnusson
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Winckle
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D020405:Dermis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D004817:Epidermis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000502:physiology*; D012996:Solutions; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D013256:Steroids