title: In vitro percutaneous penetration and characterization of silver from silver-containing textiles.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro percutaneous penetration of silver and characterize the silver species released from textiles in different layers of full thickness human skin. For this purpose, two different wound dressings and a garment soaked in artificial sweat were placed in the donor compartments of Franz cells for 24 hours. The concentration of silver in the donor phase and in the skin was determined by an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer (ET-AAS) and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The characterization of silver species in the textiles and in the skin layers was made by scanning electron microscopy with integrated energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Additionally, the size distribution of silver nanoparticles in the textiles was performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). On the surface of all investigated materials, silver nanoparticles of different size and morphology were found. Released silver concentrations in the soaking solutions (ie, exposure concentration) ranged from 0.7 to 4.7 μg/mL (0.6-4.0 μg/cm(2)), fitting the bactericidal range. Silver and silver chloride aggregates at sizes of up to 1 μm were identified both in the epidermis and dermis. The large size of these particles suggests that the aggregation occurred in the skin. The formation of these aggregates likely slowed down the systemic absorption of silver. Conversely, these aggregates may form a reservoir enabling prolonged release of silver ions, which might lead to local effects.
authors: Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors: Carlotta
authors: C
authors: Bianco
authors: Academic Medical Center, Coronel Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors: Sanja
authors: S
authors: Kezic
authors: Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Crosera
authors: Laboratory for Bioelectrochemistry and Surface Imaging, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors: Vesna
authors: V
authors: Svetličić
authors: Laboratory for Bioelectrochemistry and Surface Imaging, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors: Suzana
authors: S
authors: Šegota
authors: Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Maina
authors: Department of Public and Pediatric Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors: Canzio
authors: C
authors: Romano
authors: Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy ; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Larese
authors: Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors: Gianpiero
authors: G
authors: Adami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013784:Textiles / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012834:Silver
keywords: silver release; silver textile; skin