Skin Organ Culture as an Alternative to In Vivo Dermatotoxicity Testing

Abstract

Various aspects of acute cutaneous toxicity were studied in a skin organ culture model. Chemicals were applied topically for four hours, after which cytotoxicity was assessed by measuring the conversion of the tetrazolium salt, MTT. The relationship between pKa and cytotoxicity was investigated for a homologous series of benzoic acids. In this series, salicylic acid had the lowest pKa and proved to be the most toxic compound. Furthermore, the pH of the carrier solution was shown to influence the toxicity of chloroacetic acid and acetic acid in a different way. Using skin discs of both human and rabbit origin, we found that human skin was more resistant to toxicity induced by the irritants benzalkonium chloride and formaldehyde. As an additional aspect of dermal toxicology, the percutaneous absorption of testosterone was studied. After topical application to rabbit skin discs, testosterone was absorbed in a dose-dependent manner and concurrent metabolism was demonstrated.