Exposure to environmental and industrial chemicals has been linked with a variety of illnesses including Parkinson's Disease and cancer. The skin is the major site of absorption for many of these chemicals; therefore a compromised dermal barrier could cause more toxins to enter the body. Ethanol is frequently used by the pharmaceutical industry as a penetration enhancer for topically applied chemicals, it is also consumed by a significant portion of the population of the United States, but its ability to act as a dermal penetration enhancer after oral consumption and the consequences of potentially altering the dermal barrier on xenobiotic absorption have not been explored to date. These studies will examine for the first time, whether chronic or acute ethanol consumption can change the dermal barrier, leading to increased internalization of the model hazardous chemicals paraquat, dimethylformamide, glyphosate and DEET and the mechanism by which these changes occur. To do this, well-established models for ethanol and control fed rats will be used. This work has important implications for the health and treatment for the millions of people who consume even moderate amounts of alcohol and who may be knowingly or unknowingly exposed to potentially toxic chemicals.
| Brand, R M; Jendrzejewski, J L (2008) Chronic ethanol ingestion alters xenobiotic absorption through the skin: potential role of oxidative stress. Food Chem Toxicol 46:1940-8 |
| Brand, R M; Jendrzejewski, J L; Charron, Anna R (2007) Potential mechanisms by which a single drink of alcohol can increase transdermal absorption of topically applied chemicals. Toxicology 235:141-9 |
| Brand, R M; McMahon, L; Jendrzejewski, J L et al. (2007) Transdermal absorption of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is enhanced by both ethanol consumption and sunscreen application. Food Chem Toxicol 45:93-7 |
| Brand, Rhonda M; Jendrzejewski, Jessica L; Henery, Eric M et al. (2006) A single oral dose of ethanol can alter transdermal absorption of topically applied chemicals in rats. Toxicol Sci 92:349-55 |
