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Penetration of benzo[a]pyrene through human buccal and vaginal mucosa
1Oral and Dental Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to compare buccal and vaginal mucosa with respect to their permeability to a potent carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene.
Study Design:
Six clinically healthy vaginal mucosa specimens (mean patient age +/- standard deviation, 52+/-13.4 years; age range, 37-69 years) and 6 buccal mucosa specimens (from 5 male patients and 1 female patient: mean patient age +/- standard deviation, 32+/-5.2 years; age range, 24-39 years) were obtained during surgery. In vitro flux rates of benzo[a]pyrene across specimens were determined through use of a flow-through diffusion apparatus. Analysis of variance, a Duncan multiple range test, and an unpaired t test were used to determine steady state kinetics and flux differences over time intervals.
Results:
No statistically significant differences were observed between the overall mean flux values of benzo[a]pyrene across the 2 kinds of mucosa.
Conclusions:
The findings further support the hypothesis that human vaginal mucosa can be used as a model for buccal mucosa in studies of permeability to various chemical compounds.
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