Evaluation of the percutaneous toxicity of folpet using a 3-dimentional reconstructed humen epidermis model

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a new in vitro screening system to evaluate the percutaneous toxicity of chemicals using a 3-dimentsioal reconstructed human epidermis model (3-D model). A pesticide, folpet, LabCyte EPI-MODEL and were used as a test chemical, a 3-D model and a monolayer culture model, respectively. The obtained biochemical, histopathological and molecular biological data have indicated that the layered structure of the epidermis has a protective effect against the skin toxicity of folpet. It is thus suggested that the monolayer culture model is insufficient to evaluate the skin toxicity of chemicals in vitro, and that the 3-D model is useful for such a purpose.