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Visualization and Analysis of Electroosmotic Flow in Hairless Mouse Skin

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Abstract

Purpose. To identify the physiological structures in hairless mouseskin responsible for the generation of electroosmotic flow duringiontophoresis. Also, to determine the effects of changing the pH of thecontacting solution on the magnitude of electroosmotic flow in thesestructures.Methods. Localized diffusive and iontophoretic fluxes of a neutralmolecule, hydroquinone (HQ), across hairless mouse skin were quantifiedusing scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Theiontophoretic flux was determined as a function of the direction of theapplied current and pH of the contacting solution.Results. SECM images of HQ transport recorded during iontophoresisat moderate current densities (±0.1 mA/cm2) demonstrate that electroosmotic flow is localized to hair follicles. The direction of flow isfrom anode to cathode at pH > 3.5 and from cathode to anode atpH <3.5.Conclusions. Electroosmotic flow through hair follicles is an efficientand controllable means of transporting small, electrically neutral moleculesacross hairless mouse skin. Transport through the appendages issensitive to the pH of the solution in contact with the skin. The isoelectricpoint of hair follicles, pI, is estimated to be 3.5 from the dependenceof electroosmotic flow on the solution pH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112

    Bradley D. Bath

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112

    Henry S. White

  3. ALZA Corporation, Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, 55432

    Erik R. Scott

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  1. Bradley D. Bath
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  2. Henry S. White
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Bath, B.D., White, H.S. & Scott, E.R. Visualization and Analysis of Electroosmotic Flow in Hairless Mouse Skin. Pharm Res 17, 471–475 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007589306661

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