An in vitro Skin Penetration Model for Compromised Skin: Estimating Penetration of Polyethylene Glycol [14C]-PEG-7 Phosphate

Background/Aims: Establishing dermal penetration rates is important to better understand the safety of topically applied materials, especially for premature infant skin with compromised skin barrier function. Skin prematurity involves thinner stratum corneum and underdeveloped epidermis/dermis resulting in decreased barrier function, higher transepidermal water loss and greater chemical penetration, when compared to healthy full-term neonate/adult skin. Methods: We developed an in vitro skin penetration model using human ex vivo skin to estimate penetration for premature/compromised skin barrier conditions by tape stripping. Skin barrier deficiency was characterized by transepidermal water loss. Baby wipe lotion containing 5 mg/cm2 [14C]-PEG-7 phosphate was applied 5 times to human skin samples of intact, moderately or highly compromised skin barrier and once at 25 mg/cm2 over 24 h. Results: Overall penetration of [14C]-PEG-7 phosphate was low (Conclusion: Our model demonstrates that even under highly compromised skin conditions, penetration of [14C]-PEG-7 phosphate is low (