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In vitro skin absorption tests of three types of parabens using a Franz diffusion cell

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 27, pages 320–325 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the permeation of paraben derivatives — methylparaben (MP), propylparaben (PP), and butylparaben (BP) — in hairless mouse full skin and human cadaver epidermis using a Franz diffusion cell method, which is proposed as a reliable alternative method to an skin absorption test. Parabens, esterified hydroxybenzoic acid compounds, are widely used as preservatives in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. The skin permeation rate showed dose dependency, and the hairless mouse full skin showed a higher flux value than human cadaver epidermis. Among the permeability coefficient (Kp) values of three parabens, MP showed a higher Kp value than PP or BP. Hence, according to the definitions of Marzulli et al., parabens would be classified as “moderate” penetrants.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants (13162MFDS776) from Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2013.

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Author notes

  1. Ji-Eun Seo and Sungkyoon Kim: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeoldaero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea

    Ji-Eun Seo & Bae-Hwan Kim

  2. Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Sungkyoon Kim

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  1. Ji-Eun Seo
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Correspondence to Bae-Hwan Kim.

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Seo, JE., Kim, S. & Kim, BH. In vitro skin absorption tests of three types of parabens using a Franz diffusion cell. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 27, 320–325 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2016.33

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