title: The effects of sulfur mustard exposure and freezing on transdermal penetration of tritiated water through ex vivo pig skin.
abstract: The percutaneous absorption of tritiated water ((3)H(2)O) through sulfur mustard (SM) exposed abdominal pig skin was measured using in vitro Franz-type static diffusion cells. The barrier function to water permeation following exposure to liquid SM for 8 min and excision 3h later did not change significantly. A small, but statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in steady state penetration (Jss), permeability coefficient (Kp) and lag time (t(L)) of (3)H(2)O was observed between fresh skin and skin stored frozen (-20 °C) for up to two weeks. Steady-state penetration and Kp values were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in skin stored frozen compared with fresh skin. Fresh naïve skin had an average Kp of 1.65 × 10(-3) cm h(-1), whereas frozen naïve skin was 2.04 × 10(-3) cm h(-1). Fresh SM exposed skin had a mean Kp of 1.72 × 10(-3) cm h(-1), whereas frozen SM exposed skin was 2.31 × 10(-3) cm h(-1). Lag times were also shorter (P<0.05) in skin that had been stored frozen. Frozen, SM-exposed porcine abdominal skin may be used for in vitro penetration studies, but effects of treatment and storage on the barrier layer should be taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ, UK. opayne@dstl.gov.uk
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mansson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jenner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Azeke
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Braue
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009151:Mustard Gas; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012869:Skin Absorption; D034421:Sus scrofa; D014316:Tritium; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D014316:Tritium; D009151:Mustard Gas