Effect of selective lipid extraction from different body regions on epidermal barrier function

To assess the effects of selective lipid extraction and tape stripping on transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at three body regions in the pig.

Lipids were extracted from the abdominal, inguinal. and back regions using three different solvent extraction procedures or cellophane tape stripping (15x) on Yorkshire pigs. Three solvent extraction stages were I, cyclohexane (5 ml for three, 1-min extractions): II, cyclohexane/ethanol (4:1) (5 ml for three, 1-min extractions): and III, cyclohexane/ethanol (1:4) (5 ml for three, 3-min extractions) extracted as follows: Site A, Stage I: Site B, Stage I and II; Site C, Stage I, II and III. Erythema, edema, and TEWL were assessed in control, tape-stripped, and extracted sites at 0, 6, and 24 h. The extracted lipids were analyzed by thin layer chromatography and quantified by densitometry for ceramide, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, fatty acids, and triglycerides.

The change in TEWL (delta TEWL) in 14 of the 15 sites was the highest at 24 h and generally increased with each additional extraction. The greatest changes were present in the back. Each extraction stage removed specific lipids in reproducible quantities that caused the delta TEWL to increase from 0 to 24 h. Lipid removal was verified by transmission electron microscopy. The mean total lipid concentration depended on extraction solvents and body region, and was reproducible across sites and regions at equivalent stages of lipid extraction. Relative proportions of individual lipids extracted were similar across all body regions. Higher concentrations of total lipids were extracted from the back. CONCLUSIONS. These studies demonstrate that extraction of lipids increased the delta TEWL to a level similar to repeated tape stripping at all body sites in the pig. This study suggested that strategies that could biochemically alter epidermal lipid composition may increase absorption of simultaneously administered topical compounds and may be useful to enhance drug delivery.