Cutaneous toxicity of 2-chloroethyl methyl sulfide in isolated perfused porcine skin.

Previous research has shown the isolated perfused porcine skin flap (IPPSF) to be a novel in vitro experimental model for investigating xenobiotic percutaneous absorption. In this study, the IPPSF was used to biochemically and morphologically assess the dermatotoxicity of 2-chloroethyl methyl sulfide (CEMS), a monofunctional analog of the vesicant, sulfur mustard. IPPSFs were perfused in a recirculating perfusion system and were treated with 97% CEMS (n = 4) or served as controls (n = 4). Additional IPPSFs were perfused in a nonrecirculating perfusion system and were treated with CEMS (n = 4) or were controls (n = 4). After dosing, each IPPSF was perfused for 8 hr. Cumulative glucose utilization (GU) and lactate production/glucose utilization ratio (L/GU ratio) were used as viability parameters. The average rate of GU for CEMS was significantly lower than control (p less than 0.05) in the recirculating and nonrecirculating IPPSFs. The L/GU ratio for CEMS was not significantly different (p greater than 0.05) from control for either perfusion system. CEMS resulted in a marked increase in vascular resistance versus control in both perfusion systems. Gross vesicles and bullae formation occurred in six of the CEMS-treated IPPSFs. Light microscopy revealed subepidermal vesicle formation above the basement membrane and extensive basal cell pyknosis in all IPPSFs treated with CEMS. No macroscopic or microscopic lesions were noted in the control flaps. Transmission electron microscopy revealed separation between the lamina lucida and the lamina densa of the basal lamina, with intracellular vacuolization and mitochondrial swelling occurring in the stratum basale and stratum spinosum cells of IPPSFs treated with CEMS. These lesions are similar to those described after human exposure to sulfur mustard. Full characterization of the morphological and biochemical changes seen after topical exposure of the IPPSF to vesicants may shed light on the pathogenesis of cutaneous toxicity of these compounds in vivo and serve as a relevant model to assess protective strategies against vesicant exposure.