Skin penetration of minerals in psoriatics and guinea-pigs bathing in hypertonic salt solutions

Pharmacol Res Commun. 1985 Jun;17(6):501-12. doi: 10.1016/0031-6989(85)90123-7.

Abstract

Penetration of electrolytes through the human skin was measured in healthy volunteers and in psoriatic patients after bathing in the Dead-Sea or in simulated bath-salt solutions. Significant increases in the levels of serum Br, Rb, Ca and Zn were noticed only in the psoriatic patients after daily bathing in the Dead-Sea for a 4-week regimen. Guinea-pigs "bathed" in simulated Dead-Sea bath-salt solutions containing radionuclides of Ca, Mg, K and Br. Traces of each radionuclide were detected in the blood and in some internal organs after 60 minutes of bathing. The radionuclides showed a physiological pattern in their organ distribution. Even though the whole investigation was carried out in hypertonic solutions, there is a definite penetration of salts through healthy (human and guinea-pigs) and damaged (psoriatic) epidermis. This finding suggests that improvement of the psoriatic condition after bathing in the Dead-Sea, may be partly attributed (in addition to ultraviolet irradiation) to the minerals' effect on the psoriatic skin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Electrolytes / blood
  • Electrolytes / metabolism
  • Female
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mineral Waters*
  • Minerals / metabolism*
  • Psoriasis / metabolism*
  • Psoriasis / therapy
  • Saline Solution, Hypertonic / metabolism
  • Saline Solution, Hypertonic / therapeutic use
  • Skin Absorption*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Electrolytes
  • Mineral Waters
  • Minerals
  • Saline Solution, Hypertonic