In vivo analysis of dermal and systemic absorption of silver nanoparticles through healthy human skin. (5th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: George, Robert; Merten, Steve; Wang, Tim T; Kennedy, Peter; Maitz, Peter
• Is Part Of: Australasian journal of dermatology. Volume 55:Number 3(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 185
• Page End: 190
• Publication Date: 2013-09-05
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Australasia -- Periodicals; 616.5005
• DOI: 10.1111/ajd.12101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0004-8380

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ajd12101-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Research into nanoparticles has increased markedly during the last decade, especially in light of their potential diagnostic and therapeutic use. While silver has been used since ancient times, a detailed understanding of the kinetics of its dermal absorption requires further study. Thus far, only <italic>in vitro</italic> and animal models have been used to analyse the absorption characteristics of nanocrystalline silver particles and no <italic>in vivo</italic> study using intact human skin has demonstrated silver absorption.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajd12101-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>A nanocrystalline silver dressing was applied to a sample of 16 healthy patients with normal intact skin approximately 5 days prior to surgery. The treated skin samples, removed as surgical waste, were then analysed with a tissue mass spectrometry, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an X‐ray diffusion spectrography (XRD). Silver serum levels were also analysed before and after application of the dressing.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajd12101-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A limited amount of silver penetration could be noted even with light microscopy. However, definitive analysis required SEM and XRD confirmation. With SEM, metallic particles could be seen within the dermis. XRD confirmed that these were silver species, possible in oxide form. Furthermore, silver clusters as large as 750 nm could be discerned. In addition, there was no demonstrable rise in serum silver levels post‐treatment with the silver dressing.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajd12101-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Our results suggest that silver nanoparticles are able to penetrate intact human skin <italic>in vivo</italic> beyond the stratum corneum and can be found as deep as the reticular dermis. The absorbed silver might be in silver oxide form and the silver species appear to form sizeable clusters once absorbed across the epidermis. However, despite silver deposition into the dermis, the silver nanoparticles did not reach systemic circulation and should thus have no end organ consequences.</p> </sec> </abstract>