Effects of iontophoresis and electroporation on the stratum corneum. Review of the biophysical studies.
Jadoul A, Bouwstra J, Preat V
Unite de Pharmacie Galenique, Industrielle et Officinale, Ecole de Pharmacie, Universite Catholique de Louvain, 73.20 Avenue E. Mounier, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
[Record supplied by publisher]
This review focuses on the effects induced by iontophoresis and electroporation
on the stratum corneum of the skin. Hence, the aims were: (1) to contribute
to the understanding of the mechanisms of drug transport by these methods;
(2) to evaluate the safety issues associated with current application.
Complementary biophysical methods were used to provide a complete picture
of the stratum corneum. Even though the mechanism of drug transport is
believed to be different, i.e., electrophoresis for iontophoresis and creation
of new aqueouspathways for electroporation, the effects on the stratum
corneum detected minutes after current application are very similar. For
both methods, the major findings were: (1) a disorganisation of the lipid
bilayers of the stratum
corneum; (2) an increase in skin hydration; (3) a larger decrease in skin
resistance induced by electroporation as compared to iontophoresis. These
changes were partly reversible and depended on the amount of electrical
charges transferred. The mechanisms of stratum corneum perturbations are
discussed. These perturbations could explain partly the increase in drug
transport. If iontophoresis is considered as a safe method of drug delivery,
the data augurs for the safety of electroporation.
PMID: 10837691