In vivo tolerance assessment of skin after insertion of subcutaneous and cutaneous microdialysis probes in the rat.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the trauma induced by insertion of the linear microdialysis probe in the subcutaneous and dermal tissue in the rat and to check if the microdialysis probe insertion affects transdermal drug delivery. Non-invasive bioengineering methods (TEWL, Laser Doppler Velocimeter, Chromameter) as well as histology were combined to characterize these effects. The results showed that the dermal and subcutaneous insertion of microdialysis probes did not change skin permeability, blood flow and color, confirming the safety of this technique. The probe depth did not influence the trauma. No significant physical damage after probe insertion was noticed. Thus, the present work validates the use of microdialysis in dermatopharmacokinetics studies after topical or systemic drug delivery. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel