title: Matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry imaging for the examination of imipramine absorption by Straticell-RHE-EPI/001 an artificial model of the human epidermis.
abstract: In order to assess the potential of matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry imaging for the examination of artificial skin models, the absorption of the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine into Straticell-RHE-EPI/001 an artificial model of the human epidermis has been studied. The presence of imipramine could be clearly discerned in treated samples by imaging the distribution of the protonated molecule at m/z 281.18 in samples taken 2 and 8 h after treatment. No clear evidence of biotransformation of imipramine in the artificial epidermal model was detected, although some signals that could potentially be assigned to the desmethyl metabolite were detected. Further work is required in order to investigate the reasons for the apparent low levels of metabolites detected.
authors.affiliation: Quotient Bioresearch Ltd., Rushden, Northamptonshire, UK.
authors.forename: Jennie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Avery
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McEwen
authors.forename: Bryn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Flinders
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Francese
authors.forename: Malcolm R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Clench
mesh_terms: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D007099:Imipramine