Roguet, R., C. Cohen, J. Leclaire, and A. Rougier. The Use of a Reconstructed Epidermis in the Assessment of Cytotoxic Effects of UV Irradiation. Nouvelles Dermatologiques. 1996. 15(5): 384-389.

chlorpromazine - 00050-53-3; promethazine - 00060-87-7; rose bengal - 11121-48-5

Over the past years, different models have been proposed as alternatives to ocular and skin irritancy in animals. Among these models, skin and/or epidermis equivalents appeared to be promising. Cytotoxic effects of increasing doses of UVB, phototoxicity of different compounds following UVA irradiation (chlorpromazine, promethazine, rose bengal) and protective properties of a sunscreen emulsion containing increasing concentrations of an UVB filter (Mexoryl SO ®) were compared using either a reconstructed epidermis (Episkin ®) or human keratinocytes in monolayer culture. Endpoints included cell viability and IL-1alpha release. Results showed that the reconstructed epidermis react nearly like human epidermis in vivo which is known to absorb more than 50% of UVA and only 5 to 10% of UVB. As in the in vivo situation, cell toxicity as well as inflammatory mediators release induced by the phototoxic agents under investigation were largely increased following non-cytotoxic doses of UVA. Finally, UVB irradiation (1 J/cm2) of Episkin ®) pre-treated with an emulsion containing increasing concentrations of an UVB filter (Mexoryl SO ®), leads to a decrease in cell cytotoxicity as well as IL-1alpha release, up to a total protection.