PERFLUOROPOLYETHERS IN THE PREVENTION OF IRRITANT CONTACT-DERMATITIS

Background: Perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) are non-reactive perfluorinate d (no hydrogen atoms) liquid polymers that showed promise as ingredien ts of protective preparations in occupational dermatology. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate if oil-in-water (o/w) emulsio ns containing 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0% PFPEs (molecular weight 6,250 D) prevent epidermal barrier disruption induced by a repetitive irritatio n test (RIT). Methods: PFPE-containing o/w emulsions and the emulsion base alone were evaluated against a set of 4 irritants [10% sodium lau ryl sulphate (SLS), 0.5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), 15% lactic acid (LA) , and undiluted toluene (TOL)] in the RIT. Ten subjects were tested on the paravertebral skin of the mid-back. Irritation was assessed by vi sual scoring, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and colorimetry. Result s: Both the emulsion base and all PFPE-containing preparations signifi cantly suppressed irritation by SLS and NaOH. Against LA and TOL, only the 4% PFPE-containing preparation was significant as assessed by TEW L. Conclusion: A 4% PFPE-containing o/w emulsion significantly inhibit s irritation due to a wide spectrum of hydrophilic and lipophilic irri tants. o/w emulsions with lower concentrations of PFPE are also effect ive against SLS and NaOH, but this is also true for the cream base alo ne. Therefore, further studies are necessary to evaluate if a minimum of 4% PFPE in the base provides additional benefit.