Srikrishna, V. and N. A. Monteiro-Riviere. The Effects of Sodium Hydroxide and Hydrochloric Acid on Isolated Perfused Skin. In Vitro Toxicol. 1991. 4(3): 207-215.

hydrochloric acid - 7647-01-0; sodium hydroxide - 1310-73-2

Exposure to acids and bases are serious cutaneous hazards. The objective of this project was to study the morphological and biochemical effects of NaOH and HCl on the isolated perfused porcine skin flap (IPPSF). IPPSF's were topically treated with 4 N, 6 N HCl, and 4 N, 6 N NaOH, and control (n=4/group). After 8 hrs of perfusion, skin samples were taken for light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and media samples for routine biochemical and physiological parameters. LM and TEM of 4 N and 6 N NaOH IPPSF's showed severe necrosis of all epidermal cell layers and dermis. At times this lesion extended deep into the subcutaneous layers. The IPPSF's treated with 4 N and 6 N HCl had intercellular epidermal edema. The stratum corneum was generally unaffected. Glucose utilization decreased with HCl and was lowest in NaOH treated flaps. There was no change in cumulative lactate-glucose ratio, and the vascular resistance showed unique profiles for both HCl and NaOH treated IPPSF's. These morphological changes in the IPPSF's were similar to previous in vivo studies.