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A theoretical study of outermost skin layer electroporation
O N Malkova1, P I Kuzmin, Chizmadzhev YuA
1Frumkin Institute of Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
Membrane & Cell Biology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Electrohydration models reveal that specific voltages induce significant stratum corneum (SC) hydration, creating pathways for molecule transport. This electrohydration effect is crucial for understanding skin permeability changes.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Dermatology
Background:
- The stratum corneum (SC) acts as a primary barrier to transdermal transport.
- Understanding SC hydration is key to developing effective drug delivery systems.
- Electrical stimulation offers a novel approach to modulate SC barrier function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and analyze computational models of stratum corneum electrohydration.
- To investigate the relationship between applied voltage and SC hydration levels.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of ion transport across the SC under electrical influence.
Main Methods:
- Development of two distinct electrohydration models for the SC.
- Model 1: Adsorption of water molecules on inhomogeneous bilayer surfaces.
- Model 2: Macroscopic approach considering water as microdrops in interbilayer regions.
Main Results:
- Both models show voltage-dependent SC hydration.
- Specific voltages lead to rapid hydration increases, forming continuous water pathways.
- Tens of volts are sufficient to create electroinduced hydrophilic pores in the SC lipid phase.
Conclusions:
- Electrohydration can significantly alter SC permeability at moderate voltages.
- Small ion transport likely occurs through corneocytes and lipid bilayers, not tortuous pathways, at tens of volts.
- These findings have implications for transdermal drug delivery and electrical skin treatments.