Application of Deuterated Compounds for Investigations of Percutaneous Absorption of Chemical Substances

Abstract

The percutaneous absorption of the xenoestrogen 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane (bisphenol A) 1 has been studied and compared with results on dibenzoyl peroxide 2, a component of drug formulations for topical application. Isolated perfused bovine udders from slaughtered cows were employed as models for human skin. The deuterium labelled compounds 1-d₁₄ and 2-d₁₀ were applied to enhance the reliability of GC-MS trace determinations by use of reverse isotope dilution analysis. 1-d₁₄ was found in perfusate and milk equivalent samples obtained between 60 and 300 min after topical application with maximum concentrations between 120 and 180 min. 1-d₁₄ was enriched in the milk samples by a factor of about 300 compared with the perfusate. The results confirm a possible penetration of 1 from the environment through the skin into the capillary system. 2 studied on the same model system penetrated faster than 1 by a factor of about three.