USE OF THE Mattek EPI-100 IN VITRO SYSTEM TO SCREEN ANTIOXIDANT EFFICACY.

• TR Number: 116
• Authors: Rachui, S.R., Duke, M.A., Allen, R. Thomas Stephens & Associates, Inc.

In this study, scientists at R. Thomas Stephens & Associates present an in vitro method to evaluate the efficacy of antioxidants and antioxidant formulations. The premise of this research is that exposure of human skin equivalents, specifically the commercially available Mattek EpiDerm EPI-100 skin model, to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation stimulates the production of oxygen radicals in tissue, which, over time, will lead to an increased production of prostaglandins (PGE2). The literature records that an increase in oxygen radical production leads to an increase in prostaglandin production. The method presented measures two endpoints: conversion of (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium) bromide (MTT) and PGE2 production, the marker for antioxidancy. Based on these results, it is possible to rank order test agents and determine relative efficacy. This method, based on the Mattek EpiDerm EPI-100 skin model, has proved to be a reproducible and accurate method to assess differences in efficacy among potential antioxidants.