Pharmaceutical Research

, Volume 31, Issue 12, pp 3478–3486 | Cite as

Optimization of Impedance Spectroscopy Techniques for Measuring Cutaneous Micropore Formation after Microneedle Treatment in an Elderly Population

  • Megan N. Kelchen
  • Grant O. Holdren
  • Matthew J. Farley
  • M. Bridget Zimmerman
  • Janet A. Fairley
  • Nicole K. Brogden
Research Paper
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The objective of this study was to optimize a reproducible impedance spectroscopy method in elderly subjects as a means to evaluate the effects of microneedles on aging skin.

Methods

Human volunteers were treated with microneedles at six sites on the upper arm. Repeated impedance measurements were taken pre- and post-microneedle insertion. Two electrode types were evaluated (dry vs. gel), using either light or direct pressure to maintain contact between the electrode and skin surface. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured as a complementary technique.

Results

Five control subjects and nine elderly subjects completed the study. Microneedle insertion produced a significant decrease in impedance from baseline in all subjects (p < 0.05, regardless of electrode type or pressure application), confirming micropore formation. This was supported by a complementary significant increase in TEWL (p < 0.05). The gel*direct condition produced the lowest variability between measurements, as demonstrated by a coefficient of variation of 3.8% and 3.5% (control and elderly subjects, respectively). This was lower than variation between TEWL measurements at the same sites: 19.8% and 21.6% (control and elderly subjects, respectively).

Conclusions

Impedance spectroscopy reproducibly measures micropore formation in elderly subjects, which will be essential for future studies describing microneedle-assisted transdermal delivery in aging populations.

KEY WORDS

elderly impedance microneedle micropore transdermal 

ABBREVIATIONS

(CV%)

Coefficient of variation

(MN)

Microneedle

(SC)

Stratum corneum

(TEWL)

Transepidermal water loss

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Notes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND DISCLOSURE

We would like to thank Mark Prausnitz and Vladimir Zarnitsyn for their assistance with designing the MN arrays. This work was funded by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) New Investigator Award, and the Executive Council for Graduate and Professional Studies Student Research Grant (University of Iowa).

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • Megan N. Kelchen
    • 1
  • Grant O. Holdren
    • 1
  • Matthew J. Farley
    • 1
  • M. Bridget Zimmerman
    • 2
  • Janet A. Fairley
    • 3
  • Nicole K. Brogden
    • 1
    • 3
    • 4
  1. 1.Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental TherapeuticsUniversity of Iowa College of PharmacyIowa CityUSA
  2. 2.Department of BiostatisticsThe University of Iowa College of Public HealthIowa CityUSA
  3. 3.Department of DermatologyThe University of Iowa College of MedicineIowa CityUSA
  4. 4.Division of Pharmaceutics and Translational TherapeuticsUniversity of Iowa College of PharmacyIowa CityUSA

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