Effect of bicellar systems on skin properties.
Bicelles are discoidal aggregates formed by a flat dimyristoyl-glycero-phosphocholine (DMPC) bilayer, stabilized by a rim of dihexanoyl-glycero-phosphocholine (DHPC) in water. Given the structure, composition and the dimensions of these aggregates around 10-50 nm diameter, their use for topical applications is a promising strategy. This work evaluates the effect of DMPC/DHPC bicelles with molar ratio (2/1) on intact skin. Biophysical properties of the skin, such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), elasticity, skin capacitance and irritation were measured in healthy skin in vivo. To study the effect of the bicellar systems on the microstructure of the stratum corneum (SC) in vitro, pieces of native tissue were treated with the aforementioned bicellar system and evaluated by freeze substitution applied to transmission electron microscopy (FSTEM). Our results show that bicelles increase the TEWL, the skin elastic parameters and, decrease skin hydration without promoting local signs of irritation and without affecting the SC lipid microstructure. Thus, a permeabilizing effect of bicelles on the skin takes place possibly due to the changes in the phase behaviour of the SC lipids by effect of phospholipids from bicelles.
Barbosa-Barros
L
L
Departament de Tecnologia de Tensioactius, Institut d'Investigacions Químiques i Ambientals de Barcelona, Consell Superior d'Investigacions Científiques, C/ Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
Barba
C
C
Cócera
M
M
Coderch
L
L
López-Iglesias
C
C
de la Maza
A
A
López
O
O
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004548:Elasticity; D025802:Electric Capacitance; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D049329:Nanostructures; D010316:Particle Size; D010539:Permeability; D010742:Phospholipid Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000187:drug effects; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
C052298:1,2-dihexadecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; D004337:Drug Carriers; D010742:Phospholipid Ethers; D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine