Permeation of platinum and rhodium nanoparticles through intact and damaged human skin

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate percutaneous penetration of platinum and rhodium nanoparticles (PtNPs: 5.8 ± 0.9 nm, RhNPs: 5.3 ± 1.9 nm) through human skin. Salts compounds of these metals are sensitizers and some also carcinogenic agents. In vitro permeation experiments were performed using Franz diffusion cells with intact and damaged skin. PtNPs and RhNPs, stabilized with polyvinylpyrrolidone, were synthesized by reduction of Na2PtCl6 and RhCl3·3H2O respectively. Suspensions with a concentration of 2.0 g/L of PtNPs and RhNPs were dispersed separately in synthetic sweat at pH 4.5 and applied as donor phases to the outer surface of the skin for 24 h. Measurements of the content of the metals in the receiving solution and in the skin were performed subsequently. Rhodium skin permeation was demonstrated through damaged skin, with a permeation flux of 0.04 ± 0.04 μg cm−2 h−1 and a lag time of 7.9 ± 1.1 h, while no traces of platinum were found in receiving solutions. Platinum and rhodium skin-analysis showed significantly higher concentrations of the metals in damaged skin. Rh and Pt applied as NPs can penetrate the skin barrier and Rh can be found in receiving solutions. These experiments pointed out the need for skin contamination prevention, since even a minor injury to the skin barrier can significantly increase penetration

Comparative biological effects of spherical noble metal nanoparticles (Rh, Pd, Ag, Pt, Au) with 4–8 nm diameter

“…With ultrasmall gold nanoparticles and gold clusters, different biological events are triggered that can lead to a higher cytotoxicity of very small particles (<3 nm) [ 31 ]. Very little is known about the biological effects of rhodium nanoparticles except that these nanoparticles can penetrate into human skin [ 32 ]. Silver nanoparticles are applied in various fields including healthcare and biomedicine due to their antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral effect [ 33 – 37 ].…”

Pilot study on in vitro silver nanoparticles permeation through meningeal membrane

“…The resulting value is larger than the primary size revealed by TEM, because the hydrodynamic diameter includes PVP and coordinated molecules, and polymerprotected metal NPs can form agglomerates consisting of various metal cores wrapped up in the same polymer chain [19,26].…”

Are platinum nanoparticles safe to human health?

“…Platinum nanoparticles (5.8±0.9 nm) were applied to the outer surface of the skin (the human abdominal full thickness skin obtained as a surgical waste) for 24 h. The results of this study revealed that PtNPs might penetrate through the skin barrier and even a minor injury to the skin barrier could significantly increase metal penetration [32].…”