Jan 16, 2019

New Phenion product launched

Adapter module facilitates dermal absorption assays with the Phenion® Full-Thickness Skin Model

The Phenion product portfolio has a new member: We have developed an innovative adapter module for the Franz Cell which allows to run a skin permeation study with the human Phenion® Full-Thickness Skin Model even more convenient than before. Assessing dermal absorption and metabolism of substances with our standardized bioartifical equivalent of the human skin is a valid and scientifically accepted  alternative to the use of human or pig skin.

For all chemicals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics intended for topical application on the human skin it is essential to know whether they can permeate the skin barrier, become metabolized by intrinsic enzymes, and can penetrate the skin to become systemically available. Traditionally, these questions are answered by running dermal absorption studies on human or pig skin, inserted in a Franz Cell (e.g. according to OECD TG 428).

However, already in 2010 a study was published which recommends the Phenion® Full-Thickness Skin Model as a standardized tool to replace human or pig skin in permeation assays (Ackermann et al., 2010). Besides comprising human native human skin cells, the FT model features an active xenobiotic metabolism and a barrier function, both prerequisites to reliably monitor the dermal route of exposure of a chemical.

What’s new: We have developed an innovative adapter module intended to place the Phenion® Full-Thickness Skin Model precisely in the center of a Franz Cell. The module consists of 2 parts and fits exactly in a Permegear 15 mm clear jacketed Franz Cell [Permegear product code #4G-01-00-15-12]. The lower part is designed as a small chamber to take up the tissue equivalent. The upper part tightly fixes the margin of the skin model while leaving open an exposure area of 7 mm in diameter. Both parts of the adapter module are made of polytetra-fluoroethylene (teflon). Thus, they are resistant against a plethora of chemicals, which minimizes the interaction with test substances, and it can be autoclaved if needed.

The tool is quite easy to use: Just insert both parts into the respective compartments of the Franz Cell, transfer a skin model into the lower cavity, assemble and lock the Franz Cell. Then start your experiment!

More information about using the Phenion® Full-Thickness Skin Model in permeation assays can be found in: Ackermann et al. (2010): The Phenion® Full-Thickness Skin Model for Percutaneous Absorption Testing. Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 23:105–112; https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/265681

Further information and quotations are available upon request!