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The Effect of Experimental Conditions upon the Concentration of Hydrocarbons in Mouse Skin after Cutaneous Application

( Biological Station, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Springville, N.Y.)

The uptake and retention of polycyclic hydrocarbons by skin have been studied in mice of the A/St strain. The level of phenanthrene (Ph), anthracene, and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) in the skin reached a maximum 2 hours after topical application of 1 per cent solutions of the hydrocarbons. Solvents of pure benzene or a 1:1 mixture of mineral oil in benzene gave lower 2-hour skin levels than did 5 per cent mineral oil in benzene. Increasing the concentration of either Ph or benzo[a]pyrene (BP) above 1 per cent did not increase the level of hydrocarbon in the skin 2 hours after painting. The presence of 5 per cent Ph in a 1 per cent solution of BP reduced the skin concentration of BP by 43 per cent. Likewise the presence of 1 per cent BP in a 5 per cent solution of Ph reduced the skin level of Ph by 15 per cent.

There was no effect of sex upon the localization of any of five hydrocarbons in the skin of A mice.

Twelve polycyclic hydrocarbons were compared with respect to skin concentration after painting. The chief factor affecting concentration was molecular size. K region activity also appeared to have an effect upon localization. The significance of these observations with respect to mechanisms of the carcinogenic process are discussed.

Received 10/10/60.