Skin Penetration

Charles River performs in vitro skin penetration studies with human skin in support of chemical registration. Human skin is obtained from elective plastic surgery with Ethics Committee approval and fully informed patient consent. We have both dynamic (flow-through) and static (Franz-type) cells.

Tests are performed using radiolabeled as well as nonradiolabeled analytical techniques. Studies are designed to reflect occupational exposure and uses of the test article and are conducted to comply with OECD Test Guidance Document No. 28.

Skin from standard laboratory and livestock species can also be evaluated using the same methods. These data can be compared with the human data for risk assessment or between species comparison requirements and utilized to design dermal ADME/toxicology studies.

The SkinEthic Episkin® model is validated for the in vitro assessment of skin irritation according to OECD Test Guideline 439. Cell viability is used to assess any resulting damage.

The same model is used for corrosivity testing according to OECD Test Guideline 431 and has been validated to evaluate the corrosive potential of chemicals.

The SkinEthic HCE model is a reconstructed model of human corneal epithelium, reconstructed from the HCE cell line. Impact of the test article is assessed by measuring the cell viability (MTT assay) and histological examination. This assay is designed to classify substances as irritant (EU R41 or R36) or non-irritant.

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