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Nanoparticles skin absorption: New aspects for a safety profile evaluation.
Francesca Larese Filon1, Marcella Mauro1, Gianpiero Adami2
1Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, via della Pietà 19, 1-34100 Trieste, Italy.
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology : RTP
|May 17, 2015
Summary
Nanoparticle (NP) skin absorption depends on size, shape, and charge. NPs ⩽4nm penetrate intact skin, while larger NPs require damaged skin or cannot penetrate at all.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Dermatology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Skin absorption of nanoparticles (NPs) is a critical concern requiring deeper scientific understanding.
- Key factors influencing NP skin penetration remain incompletely elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing scientific evidence on NP skin absorption.
- To address open questions regarding NP characteristics, skin barrier penetration, pathways, and interactions in physiological environments.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating nanoparticle skin penetration.
- Analysis of intrinsic NP properties (size, shape, charge, surface) and their influence on dermal absorption.
- Evaluation of NP behavior in physiological media and potential toxicological implications.
Main Results:
- A distinction between metal and non-metal NPs is crucial.
- NP size significantly dictates skin penetration: NPs ⩽4nm penetrate intact skin; 4-20nm NPs may permeate intact/damaged skin; 21-45nm NPs penetrate only damaged skin; >45nm NPs do not penetrate.
- Metal NPs exhibit additional concerns like dissolution, aggregation, and potential toxicity.
Conclusions:
- NP skin penetration is highly size-dependent and influenced by skin integrity.
- Metal NP behavior in physiological media, including dissolution and aggregation, impacts risk assessment.
- A decision tree is proposed to evaluate risks associated with NP exposure for consumers and workers.
Keywords:
Nanoparticles interaction in physiological mediaNanoparticles sizeNanoparticles skin absorptionReviewShapeSurface properties
