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Permeation of platinum and rhodium nanoparticles through intact and damaged human skin

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate percutaneous penetration of platinum and rhodium nanoparticles (PtNPs: 5.8 ± 0.9 nm, RhNPs: 5.3 ± 1.9 nm) through human skin. Salts compounds of these metals are sensitizers and some also carcinogenic agents. In vitro permeation experiments were performed using Franz diffusion cells with intact and damaged skin. PtNPs and RhNPs, stabilized with polyvinylpyrrolidone, were synthesized by reduction of Na2PtCl6 and RhCl3·3H2O respectively. Suspensions with a concentration of 2.0 g/L of PtNPs and RhNPs were dispersed separately in synthetic sweat at pH 4.5 and applied as donor phases to the outer surface of the skin for 24 h. Measurements of the content of the metals in the receiving solution and in the skin were performed subsequently. Rhodium skin permeation was demonstrated through damaged skin, with a permeation flux of 0.04 ± 0.04 μg cm−2 h−1 and a lag time of 7.9 ± 1.1 h, while no traces of platinum were found in receiving solutions. Platinum and rhodium skin-analysis showed significantly higher concentrations of the metals in damaged skin. Rh and Pt applied as NPs can penetrate the skin barrier and Rh can be found in receiving solutions. These experiments pointed out the need for skin contamination prevention, since even a minor injury to the skin barrier can significantly increase penetration.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support of FRA 2009 and 2012 from University of Trieste and of Cost Action Skinbad BM 0903. MICROMERITICS Analytical Service is kindly acknowledged for DLS analysis.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via della Pietà 19, 1-34100, Trieste, Italy

      Marcella Mauro, Massimo Bovenzi & Francesca Larese Filon

    2. Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, via Giorgieri, 1-34127, Trieste, Italy

      Matteo Crosera, Carlotta Bianco, Gianpiero Adami, Tiziano Montini & Paolo Fornasiero

    3. Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Department of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka 54, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia

      Morana Jaganjac

    4. Toxicology and Multipurpose Labs, Anti Doping Lab Qatar, Sports City Str, P.O. Box 27775, Doha, Qatar

      Morana Jaganjac

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    1. Marcella Mauro
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    Correspondence to Francesca Larese Filon.

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    Marcella Mauro and Matteo Crosera have equally contributed to this work.

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    Mauro, M., Crosera, M., Bianco, C. et al. Permeation of platinum and rhodium nanoparticles through intact and damaged human skin. J Nanopart Res 17, 253 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-3052-z

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