Human Cadaver Skin Viability for In Vitro Percutaneous Absorption: Storage and Detrimental Effects of Heat-Separation and Freezing

Abstract

Purpose. For decades, human cadaver skin has been banked and utilized by hospitals for burn wounds and to study percutaneous absorption and transdermal delivery. Skin storage maintenance and confirmation of skin viability is important for both uses, especially for the absorption process where the in vivo situation is simulated.

Methods. Our system uses dermatomed human cadaver skin immediately placed in Eagles MEM-BSS, and refrigerated after donor death, then transfered to the laboratory and placed in Eagles MEM-BSS with 50 μg/ml gentamicin at 4°C for storage.

Results. Skin viability, determined by anaerobic metabolism where glucose is converted to lactose, was highest (p<0.000) during the 18 hours of the first day after donor death, decreased some 3-fold by day 2 (p<0.000), but then maintained steady-state viability through day 8. Viability then decreased by approximately one-half by day 13. Thus, using the above criteria, human skin will sustain viability for 8 days following donor death in this system. Heat-treated (60°C water for one minute) and heat-separated epidermis and dermis lose viability.

Conclusions. Human skin viability can be maintained for absorption studies. It is recommended that this system be used, and that heat-separation and skin freezing not be used, in absorption studies where skin viability and metabolism might be contributing factors to the study.