Angela Anigbogu

Physical and physiological effects of stratum corneum tape stripping

Background/aims: Tape stripping of human stratum corneum has been performed to measure stratum corneum mass, barrier function, drug reservoir and percutaneous penetration. However, the technique itself requires further development to facilitate interpretation.

A bioengineering study on the efficacy of a skin protectant lotion in preventing SLS‐induced dermatitis

Background/aims: This study evaluated the efficacy of a dimethicone skin protectant lotion against sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)‐induced irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) by clinical visual grading and bioengineering techniques in 12 healthy humans.

Efficacy of corticosteroids in acute experimental irritant contact dermatitis

Background/aims: Topical corticoids are used to treat irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) in humans. However, their clinical efficacy remains sub judice. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of low‐ and medium‐potency corticosteroids on irritant dermatitis.

An in vivo investigation of the rabbit skin responses to transdermal iontophoresis.

To optimize the benefits of transdermal iontophoresis, it is necessary to develop a suitable animal model that would allow for extensive assessments of the biological effects associated with electro-transport. Rabbit skin responses to iontophoresis treatments were evaluated by visual scoring and by non-invasive bioengineering parameters and compared with available human data. In the current density range 0.1-1.0 mA/cm(2) applied for 1 h using 0.9% w/v NaCl and 0.5 mA/cm(2) for up to 4 h, no significant irritation was observed. 2 mA/cm(2) applied through an area of 1 cm(2) for 1 h resulted in slight erythema at both active electrode sites but without significant changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). A value of 4 mA/cm(2) under similar conditions caused moderate erythema at the anode and cathode with TEWL and LDV being significantly elevated at both sites; 1 mA/cm(2) current applied for 4 h, caused moderate erythema at both anode and cathode; and 1 mA/cm(2) applied for 1 h caused no irritation when the area of exposure was increased from 1 to 4.5 cm(2). When significant irritation and barrier impairment occurred, the erythema was resolved within 24 h with barrier recovery complete 3-5 days post-treatment. Rabbit skin thus shows promise as an acceptable model for iontophoresis experiments.