Biomedical subjects

R F Stewart

Publications and source records attributed to R F Stewart.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1990

Metabolism of xenobiotics during percutaneous penetration: role of absorption rate and cutaneous enzyme activity.

The role of absorption rate and enzyme activity on cutaneous metabolism of topically applied xenobiotics was assessed by determining the simultaneous percutaneous penetration/metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC) in intact, metabolically viable skin of Sencar mice, hairless guinea pigs, and humans. In addition, specific activities of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and ethoxycoumarin deethylase (ECDE) were determined in cutaneous microsomal fractions. Both compounds were readily absorbed but only minimally metabolized. Sencar mouse and hairless guinea pig skin absorbed 55-60% of the applied B[a]P dose and metabolized only 6 and 3%, respectively, of that absorbed. Human skin absorbed 31% of the applied dose and B[a]P metabolism was not detectable. All three species absorbed 60-80% of the applied 7-EC dose. Sencar mouse and hairless guinea pig skin metabolized 1.3 and 1.2% of the absorbed dose, respectively. and human skin metabolized only 0.05%. When 7-EC absorption was increased to the maximum possible rate, its metabolism by Sencar mouse and hairless guinea pig skin was also substantially increased. In human skin, a much smaller increase in 7-EC absorption rate was possible and no increase in 7-EC metabolism occurred. Thus relatively slower absorption of 7-EC and B[a]P by human skin may limit cutaneous metabolism of these penetrating compounds. Specific activities of AHH and ECDE were significantly lower in human skin than in Sencar mouse and hairless guinea pig skin, suggesting that low enzyme activity contributes as well to a low rate of metabolism by human skin compared to other species. Thus absorption rate and cutaneous enzyme activity are interrelated determinants of the extent of cutaneous metabolism of B[a]P and 7-EC occurring during their percutaneous penetration, and slow absorption and low enzyme activity limit cutaneous metabolism of B[a]P and 7-EC in human skin in particular.

7-Alkoxycoumarin O-Dealkylase↗

PubMed1989

Maintenance of skin viability during in vitro percutaneous absorption/metabolism studies.

The assessment of cutaneous metabolism during in vitro percutaneous absorption studies requires maintenance of the viability of the skin section. With the use of flowthrough diffusion cells, Eagle's minimal essential medium (MEM), Hepes-buffered Hanks' balanced salt solution (HHBSS), or Dulbecco modified phosphate-buffered saline (DMPBS), acting as receptor fluids, were able to sustain aerobic and anaerobic glucose utilization, testosterone and estradiol metabolism, and histopathological appearance of perfused rat skin sections for 24 hr. Fetal bovine serum supplements were not required for survival and appeared to inhibit the extraction of the metabolite estrone from the receptor fluid fractions in estradiol absorption/metabolism experiments. The use of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) resulted in elimination of aerobic and anaerobic glucose utilization in 12 hr and declining appearance of steroid metabolites in receptor fluid fractions during the 24-hr percutaneous absorption/metabolism studies. Histopathological examination of skin sections perfused with PBS for 24 hr showed autolysis of the viable epidermis and dermis. The results demonstrate that an appropriate receptor fluid, such as MEM, HHBSS, or DMPBS, is required for percutaneous absorption studies in which cutaneous metabolism of the penetrating compound is to be considered.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1989

Extent of cutaneous metabolism during percutaneous absorption of xenobiotics.

In vitro percutaneous absorption studies generally do not determine whether biotransformation occurs during passage of a substance through the skin. Since it has recently been demonstrated that several chemicals are metabolized during skin permeation, we investigated the metabolism of five additional compounds (14C-labeled) after application to fuzzy rat skin: caffeine, p,p'-DDT, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), salicylic acid, and acetyl ethyl tetramethyltetralin (AETT). The viability of skin was maintained with a tissue culture medium. Radioactivity of each substrate and any metabolites in skin and receptor fluid was measured so that the absorption and metabolism of water-insoluble compounds would be accurately determined. Percutaneous absorption ranged from a low of 13% of the applied dose for BHT to a high of 49% for DDT. BHT was metabolized in skin to 4-hydroxy-BHT and an unknown metabolite. Of the absorbed radioisotope, 6.6% was isolated in biotransformed products found mainly in the receptor fluid. AETT was also metabolized during absorption, with 1.9% of the absorbed radioisotope found in two unknown peaks. Caffeine, DDT, and salicylic acid were not metabolized during skin permeation. Skin and liver microsomal metabolism was measured for all compounds except DDT. Metabolism in skin was observed only for the compounds also biotransformed in the diffusion cell; BHT and AETT were metabolized at 113 and 2.5 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. In this study, as in others, skin metabolism was substantially less than the corresponding metabolism in liver. Therefore, a low rate of liver metabolism such as that found for caffeine, salicylic acid, and DDT might often be predictive of the absence of measurable metabolism during skin permeation. It seems likely that for many compounds, the biotransformations in skin will be small in terms of the percentage of absorbed material that is metabolized. Nevertheless, with potent compounds, even small quantities of a metabolite can be important and for pharmacokinetic studies, viability of skin must be maintained.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Methods for in vitro percutaneous absorption studies. VI: Preparation of the barrier layer.

The skin membrane for in vitro percutaneous absorption studies was prepared so that it was similar in thickness to the in vivo barrier layer. A dermatome section from the skin surface produced a layer of skin that included the epidermis and papillary dermis (location of capillary loops) but without most of the dermal tissue. Improved absorption measurements were then obtained with hydrophobic compounds with the use of a polyethylene glycol 20 oleyl ether (PEG-20 oleyl ether) receptor fluid. With the haired rat, preparing a skin section 300-micron thick (and pretesting for damage to the barrier with H3-water) resulted in a membrane that gave values in good agreement with in vivo results for 3-phenyl-2-propenyl 2-aminobenzoate (cinnamyl anthranilate) (1) and benzo(a)pyrene absorption. When sparsely haired fuzzy rat skin was used, a section of skin 200-micron thick could be prepared without the need for pretesting for damage. Good agreement was obtained between in vivo and in vitro values for 1-(3-ethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)etha none (acetyl ethyl tetramethyl tetralin) (2) and DDT with 0.5% PEG-20 oleyl ether in water as the receptor fluid. The skin of the fuzzy rat seemed more similar in permeability to human skin than did the skin of the hairless mouse when the absorption of six compounds was compared.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Methods for in vitro percutaneous absorption studies. VII: Use of excised human skin.

Water permeability constants (Kp) were determined with skin from human cadavers. No difference was seen in Kp values from unfrozen skin or from skin frozen for a few days. Human skin could usually be stored at -20 degrees C for up to a year with no change in water permeability, but in some cases apparent deterioration of the barrier was observed. A rapid procedure was developed for checking barrier integrity of skin in diffusion cells before a penetration study. The percent of the water dose absorbed after 20-min contact with skin correlated with water Kp values. Changes in water permeation through human skin agreed with changes in the absorption of seven test compounds of varying solubility properties (acetylsalicylic acid, benzo(a)pyrene, cortisone, DDT, nicotinic acid, propylene glycol, and testosterone). Water permeation is therefore considered to be a good indicator of potential changes in the barrier integrity of human skin. No correlation was observed in Kp values and other characteristics of the donor skin samples such as age, sex, race, and length of time before skin harvest.

Body Water↗

PubMed1985

Methods for in vitro percutaneous absorption studies IV: The flow-through diffusion cell.

A flow-through diffusion cell system for percutaneous absorption studies has been developed. The results of initial studies with a limited number of compounds are reported. The cells were constructed from Teflon and contained a glass window in the bottom for viewing the receptor contents. A flow rate of at least 5 mL/h is required through the receptor (volume, 0.4 mL) for accurate results. The skin permeation of water, cortisone, and benzoic acid was determined in the flow-through cell and a standard static-diffusion cell. The absorption profiles and quantitative values obtained were similar for the two types of cells. The permeation of cortisone and benzoic acid applied in a petrolatum vehicle was determined in vivo in rats and with rat skin in the flow-through and static-diffusion cells. Good agreement was obtained between the results of the in vivo and in vitro procedures. The percutaneous absorption of a hydrophobic compound [3-phenyl-2-propenyl 2-aminobenzoate (cinnamyl anthranilate)] was enhanced with normal saline receptor solution in the flow-through cell when compared with results in the static cell. Maximum in vitro absorption was obtained with either cell using a 6% solution in water of the nonionic surfactant polyethylene glycol 20 oleyl ether (PEG-20 oleyl ether).

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Methods for in vitro percutaneous absorption studies V: Permeation through damaged skin.

The permeation of compounds through skin damaged by different methods was compared because agents that are absorbed through skin are sometimes applied to a damaged barrier. The removal of the stratum corneum by stripping the skin with cellophane tape was the most effective method for enhancing absorption. A minimal increase in water permeation was obtained when one abrasion line was made with a hypodermic needle, but the absorption increased substantially when three to six lines were made across the site of application. Similar values were obtained with in vivo and in vitro techniques for penetration of cortisone and nicotinic acid through normal and abraded rat skin. Sever damage by UV irradiation to rats in vivo resulted in nicotinic acid absorption similar to that obtained in vitro through abraded or tape-stripped skin. Damage from mild irradiation could not be accurately duplicated by in vitro methods. The magnitude of the increase in absorption of seven chemicals through abraded human and rat skin was related to the extent to which the molecules were absorbed by the skin. The greatest increases in penetration were obtained with the compounds that were most poorly absorbed.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Comparison of percutaneous absorption of fragrances by humans and monkeys.

The percutaneous absorption of two cosmetic fragrance materials, safrole and cinnamyl anthranilate, as well as of cinnamic alcohol and cinnamic acid, has been measured at occluded and non-occluded application sites. Absorption values were determined in the rhesus monkey in vivo. Absorption through human skin was measured by using excised skin in diffusion cells. Because of the insolubility in water of safrole and cinnamyl anthranilate, a nonionic surfactant solution (6% oleth 20) was used in the receptor chamber of the diffusion cell in order to facilitate the partitioning of the compounds from the skin into the receptor fluid. The relative volatility of the compounds was determined in order to aid in the interpretation of the absorption results. The greatest difference between in vivo and in vitro absorption values occurred with safrole, which was the least well absorbed and the most volatile compound. Cinnamic acid absorption through non-occluded human skin (17.8 +/- 4.9%, mean +/- SEM) was significantly lower than through monkey skin (38.6 +/- 8.3%). The values for absorption through human and monkey skin did not differ significantly for cinnamyl anthranilate (24.0 +/- 5.1% v. 26.1 +/- 2.3%) or cinnamic alcohol (33.9 +/- 7.3% v. 25.4 +/- 4.4%). Occlusion of the skin resulted in greater permeation of all of the compounds; a significant difference in permeability between the two types of skin occurred only with safrole. The fragrances were absorbed well, but their volatility must be considered in a toxicity evaluation. There was reasonable agreement between the values obtained from the studies of the human skin in vitro and the monkey skin in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

An investigation of the structural changes occurring in a cetostearyl alcohol/cetrimide/water gel after prolonged low temperature (4 degrees C) storage.

Structural changes in a ternary gel prepared using the mixed emulsifier system of cetrimide and cetostearyl alcohol after prolonged low temperature (4 degrees C) storage have been studied using freeze-etch transmission electron microscopy and other techniques. The system changed from an opaque smooth gel of high viscosity, low conductivity and low free water, to a pearlescent milky lotion of low viscosity, high conductivity and high free water. Subsequent equilibration of the thinned system to room temperature (25 degrees C) over 48 h produced an opaque granular gel of similar consistency, but slightly higher conductivity and higher free water than the initial sample. Microscopical examination by both differential interference contrast and freeze-etch electron microscopy showed the system changed from one consisting of a liquid crystalline network localized around cetostearyl alcohol particles, to a system consisting of large waxy plates coexisting with some residual liquid crystalline network. A supportive mechanism for the thinning of the ternary gel at prolonged low temperature storage has been inferred by comparing data with that produced by other workers studying the fusion of phospholipid membranes considered to be morphologically similar to the liquid crystalline network observed in this ternary gel.

Cetrimonium↗

PubMed1984

Methods for in vitro percutaneous absorption studies III: hydrophobic compounds.

The absorption of two hydrophobic compounds through rat skin was measured by in vivo and in vitro techniques. The permeation of the fragrance ingredients 3-phenyl-2-propenyl 2-aminobenzoate (I) and 1-(3-ethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)+ ethanone (II) was measured from a petrolatum and an acetone vehicle. Increases in permeation of 8-fold (I) and 95-fold (II) were observed when the compounds were tested in vivo under conditions similar to in vitro procedures. The apparent inability of the compounds to freely enter the diffusion cell receptor fluid was partially reversed by replacing normal saline with other fluids: rabbit serum, 3% bovine serum albumin, organic solvents, and dilutions of four nonionic surfactants. The effect of the receptor fluids on the integrity of the skin barrier was assessed by measuring the permeability of control compounds (cortisone, urea, and water). A 6% solution of polyethylene glycol 20 oleyl ether was the receptor fluid of choice. Without apparent damage to the skin, 61% (petrolatum vehicle) or 73% (acetone vehicle) of the in vivo absorption of I was obtained. With II, only 32% of the in vivo absorption was achieved (petrolatum vehicle). Even when the surfactant solution is used, significant differences may still remain between in vivo and in vitro results.

Animals↗

PubMed1974