Mechanism of the synergic effects of calcium chloride and electroporation on the in vitro enhanced skin permeation of drugs.

We have already reported the substantial synergic effects of CaCl(2) and electroporation (EP) on in vitro skin permeation of calcein and FITC dextrans. In the present paper, we investigated the mechanisms for these effects by considering changes in lamellar structure and barrier recovery time of the biggest skin barrier, the stratum corneum, by this combined treatment. The change in skin lamellar structure was evaluated by lipid mobility in the stratum corneum using ATR-FTIR, calcein release from stratum corneum-lipid liposomes (SCLL), in vitro skin permeation of calcein and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The ATR-FTIR measurement, in vitro skin permeation and changes in TEWL were also used for examining the barrier recovery time. The C-H stretching band of skin lipids produced with EP was blue-shifted when compared to that without EP. Asymmetric C-H stretching was highest with EP in CaCl(2) solution. Little release of calcein was observed from SCLL without EP, whereas higher releases were observed after EP with or without NaCl or CaCl(2). Particularly high calcein release (>20%) was observed over 60 min with EP in CaCl(2) solution. The in vitro permeation study of calcein was conducted through excised hairless rat skin that was pretreated with EP before skin excision. Permeation rate was highest in skin excised immediately after in vivo EP, and this rate decreased with time after EP treatment. TEWL recovered to control levels within 2 h after EP in distilled water or NaCl solution, whereas high TEWL was maintained after EP in CaCl(2) solution. These results suggest that at least lamellar destruction of stratum corneum must be related to the enhanced skin permeation of drugs by the combination of CaCl(2) and EPF. On the other hand, a prolonged enhancing effect on the skin permeation of calcein by this combination may be due to a high lamellar destruction and/or delayed barrier repair of stratum corneum.