Biomaterial Database

Limitations of hairless mouse skin as a model for in vitro permeation studies through human skin: hydration damage. 1988

J R Bond, and B W Barry

Postgraduate School of Studies in Pharmacy, University of Bradford, U.K.

Hairless mouse skin currently provides a popular model membrane for studies in human percutaneous absorption. Although some similarities between the two skin types have been demonstrated, the effects of prolonged hydration on hairless mouse skin have not previously been rigorously examined. We have measured in vitro the effects of hydration at 31 degrees C on the permeabilities of hairless mouse skin and human abdominal and scalp skin to a model polar compound (water) and a lipid material (hexanol). The permeability of hairless mouse skin rose dramatically, especially to water (fiftyfold increase), whereas the human skin was more stable. We also compared the effects of stripping the stratum corneum with the effects of 8-d hydration for hairless mouse and human abdominal skin. Hydration of hairless mouse skin was as effective as tape-stripping in eliminating the stratum corneum barrier, whereas stripping human skin was far more damaging than hydration, suggesting that prolonged hydration mechanically disrupted mouse skin but not human skin. Histological examination of fresh and hydrated tissues confirmed this suggestion. We therefore recommend that hairless mouse skin is not used as a model for human tissue during in vitro permeation studies under conditions of long-term hydration, i.e., greater than three days.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008812	Mice, Hairless	Mutant strains of mice that produce little or no hair.	Hairless Mice,Mice, Inbred HRS,Mice, hr,Hairless Mouse,Mice, HRS,Mouse, HRS,Mouse, Inbred HRS,HRS Mice,HRS Mice, Inbred,HRS Mouse,HRS Mouse, Inbred,Inbred HRS Mice,Inbred HRS Mouse,Mouse, Hairless
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D002250	Carbon Radioisotopes	Unstable isotopes of carbon that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. C atoms with atomic weights 10, 11, and 14-16 are radioactive carbon isotopes.	Radioisotopes, Carbon
D002463	Cell Membrane Permeability	A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells.	Permeability, Cell Membrane
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000441	Hexanols	Isomeric forms and derivatives of hexanol (C6H11OH).	Alcohols, Hexyl,Amylcarbinol,Hexanol,Hydroxyhexane,Amylcarbinols,Hydroxyhexanes,Hexyl Alcohols
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012867	Skin	The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D014316	Tritium	The radioactive isotope of hydrogen also known as hydrogen-3. It contains two NEUTRONS and one PROTON in its nucleus and decays to produce low energy BETA PARTICLES.	Hydrogen-3,Hydrogen 3