The reservoir function and the barrier function are important properties of the skin. The reservoir function is dependent on the barrier function which, however, needs support by protective measures, in particular under working conditions. Barrier creams represent a possibility to protect the skin. In the present study, a method was developed to investigate the effectiveness of reservoir closure by different formulations. Patent Blue V in water was used as a model penetrant. Its penetration, with and without barrier cream treatment, was analyzed by tape stripping in combination with UV/VIS spectroscopic measurements. The investigations showed that the stratum corneum represents a reservoir for topically applied Patent Blue V in water. Furthermore, the barrier investigations showed that vaseline and bees wax form a 100% barrier on the skin surface. The third barrier cream, containing waxes and surfactant, only partially showed a protective effect against the penetration of Patent Blue V in water. Strong interindividual differences were observed for this barrier product. In conclusion, it was assumed that the application of barrier creams cannot replace other protective measures and should be maximally used to inhibit low-grade irritants or in combination with other protectants or in body areas where other protective measures are not applicable.
Much research in medicine is focused on the development of antitumoral therapies. The encapsulation of the active single chemotherapy agent doxorubicin in highly stable Stealth R liposomes can cause dominant and dose-limiting mucocutaneous reactions, such as the hand-foot syndrome. The aim of the present study was to determine the kinetic and localization of doxorubicin or its metabolites within the skin in vivo. Therefore, a laser scanning microscope was used to excite and detect the fluorescence of these compounds. The approach was tested on porcine skin after topical application of the agent prior to measurement. Subsequently, the laser scanning microscope was used to study skin areas mainly affected by the hand-foot syndrome on a patient who had undergone a therapy with the encapsulated doxorubicin (Caelyx R ). Fluorescence was detected on the skin surface of the axilla, on the forehead inside furrows and the sebaceous glands (1 h after commencement of the treatment) and within the skin of the sole and the palm (2 h after beginning the injection). These signals were determined for up to 3.5 h. The results obtained indicate that both the sweat glands and sebaceous glands function as pathways for the release of doxorubicin or its metabolites. The described method opens the possibility for further studies to develop and test prevention strategies against the hand-foot syndrome.Formula of doxorubicin.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.