PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of a stratum corneum substitute (SCS) as a novel in vitro percutaneous penetration model. The SCS consists of synthetic stratum corneum (SC) lipids (cholesterol, free fatty acids, and specific ceramides) applied onto a porous substrate. The composition, organization, and orientation of lipids in the SCS bear high resemblance to that of the intercellular barrier lipids in SC. METHODS: The barrier integrity of the SCS was evaluated by means of passive diffusion studies, using three model compounds with different lipophilicities. The effects of lipid layer thickness, permeant lipophilicity, and altered lipid composition on the barrier properties were investigated, using isolated human SC as a control sample. RESULTS: For all three model compounds, the permeability characteristics of the SCS with a 12-mum-thick lipid layer closely resemble those of human SC. Modification of the lipid composition, generating an SCS that lacks the characteristic long periodicity phase as present in SC, was accompanied by a 2-fold increased permeability. CONCLUSIONS: The SCS offers an attractive tool to predict solute permeation through human skin. Moreover, as its lipid composition can be modified, they may also serve as a suitable screening model for diseased skin.
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of a stratum corneum substitute (SCS) as a novel in vitro percutaneous penetration model. The SCS consists of synthetic stratum corneum (SC) lipids (cholesterol, free fatty acids, and specific ceramides) applied onto a porous substrate. The composition, organization, and orientation of lipids in the SCS bear high resemblance to that of the intercellular barrier lipids in SC. METHODS: The barrier integrity of the SCS was evaluated by means of passive diffusion studies, using three model compounds with different lipophilicities. The effects of lipid layer thickness, permeant lipophilicity, and altered lipid composition on the barrier properties were investigated, using isolated human SC as a control sample. RESULTS: For all three model compounds, the permeability characteristics of the SCS with a 12-mum-thick lipid layer closely resemble those of human SC. Modification of the lipid composition, generating an SCS that lacks the characteristic long periodicity phase as present in SC, was accompanied by a 2-fold increased permeability. CONCLUSIONS: The SCS offers an attractive tool to predict solute permeation through human skin. Moreover, as its lipid composition can be modified, they may also serve as a suitable screening model for diseased skin.
Authors: Michelle Janssens; Jeroen van Smeden; Gert S Gooris; Wim Bras; Guiseppe Portale; Peter J Caspers; Rob J Vreeken; Thomas Hankemeier; Sanja Kezic; Ron Wolterbeek; Adriana P Lavrijsen; Joke A Bouwstra Journal: J Lipid Res Date: 2012-09-28 Impact factor: 5.922
Authors: Vincent van Drongelen; Mogbekeloluwa O Danso; Aat Mulder; Arnout Mieremet; Jeroen van Smeden; Joke A Bouwstra; Abdoelwaheb El Ghalbzouri Journal: Tissue Eng Part A Date: 2014-08-04 Impact factor: 3.845
Authors: Jeroen van Smeden; Michelle Janssens; Walter A Boiten; Vincent van Drongelen; Laetitia Furio; Rob J Vreeken; Alain Hovnanian; Joke A Bouwstra Journal: J Invest Dermatol Date: 2013-11-29 Impact factor: 8.551