PERMEATION OF CS+ IONS ACROSS SKIN BARRIERS

Permeation of metal Cs+ ions from water solutions across the intact, s tripped and splitted skin of 5- or 9-day old rat was studied in vitro using vertical diffusion cells. The results showed that the stratum co rneum (horny layer) of this new animal skin model represents the princ ipal penetration barrier. The relative importance of the percutaneous absorption of Cs+ ions through transepidermal and transfolicular route s has been assessed comparing the penetration across skin without hair s and skin just haired. The results have shown that the shunt diffusio n along hair follicles can be of preponderant value.