Effect of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) and metal organic frameworks (MOF) wiping sandwich patch on human skin decontamination and detoxification in vitro

• Published in: Toxicology letters 2021-02, Vol.337, p.7-17
• Main Authors: Cao, Yachao, Hui, Xiaoying, Maibach, Howard I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylcholinesterase - metabolism; Administration, Cutaneous; Catalysis; Chemical warfare agents (simulants); Chemical Warfare Agents - chemistry; DDGel; Decontamination; Decontamination and detoxification; Diffusion; Drug Compounding; Human skin in vitro; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Metal-Organic Frameworks - pharmacology; Polymers - pharmacology; Porosity; Pre-wetting liquidize; SAP/MOF patch; Skin; Skin Absorption; Soaps; Sorption Detoxification
• ISSN: 0378-4274; 1879-3169
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.11.004

•SAP has powerful water absorption and swelling capacity.•MOF UiO-66 shows strong decontamination and detoxification effectiveness.•No interfering interactions between SAP and MOF.•A cotton fiber-based SAP/MOF patch works cooperatively in decontamination.•Pre-wetting surface allows for fast liquidized chemical transportation to SAP/MOF. Most chemical warfare agents partition rapidly into stratum corneum (SC) and subsequently slowly diffuse through – or are retained in the membrane. Since chemicals can interact with SC components during the process, skin decontamination poses a challenging yet important problem. To address these issues, we have developed a new method in combination with wet and dry decon technologies with new materials for emergency or delayed contamination scenarios. An in vitro human skin diffusion system was employed to model various dermal exposures of radiolabeled chemical warfare simulants, followed by surface decontamination with metal organic frameworks (MOFs), super-absorbent polymers (SAP), and/or dermal decontamination gel (DDGel). All samples measured for radioactive recovery and acetylcholinesterase activity to ascertain relative decon efficacy. Results demonstrated powerful water absorption of SAP, strong catalysis of UiO-66 MOF, and decon enhancement of pre-wetting surface contaminants. SAP had no interfering interactions with MOF yet provided additional benefits as porosity and reactivity that allowed for fast liquidized chemical transportation, absorption, and degeneration. We then designed a cotton-based SAP/MOF patch that worked cooperatively in decontamination and detoxification. Together with pre-wet, SAP/MOF wipe, and DDGel applications, maximum effect was observed in early and/or extended dermal exposure, and no “wash-in” effect occurred.