Percutaneous absorption of cis- and trans-permethrin in rhesus monkeys and rats: anatomic site and interspecies variation.

Dermal absorption of cis- and trans-permethrin isomers was determined in rhesus monkeys and Sprague-Dawley rats. Four 14C radiolabels were used (cis alcohol, cis cyclopropyl, trans alcohol, and trans cyclopropyl). One microcurie of each radiolabel was applied to either the forehead or forearm of rhesus monkeys or to the midlumbosacral region of the rat. Urine was collected for 7 or 14 d. Correction factors for incomplete urine excretion were derived from measurements of radiolabel in the urine following im injection of an equivalent dose. It was noted that the total im dose recovered in the urine of both species was lower for the cis isomer than for the trans isomer. There was no significant difference between the dermal absorption of the cis isomer and that of the trans isomer in monkeys. The forehead, however, was more permeable for both isomers than the forearm (alcohol- and cyclopropyl-labeled cis and trans isomers, respectively, showed permeation in forehead, cis 28 +/- 6%, 24 +/- 6%, trans 21 +/- 3%, 14 +/- 4%, forearm, cis 9 +/- 3%, 9 +/- 3%, trans 12 +/- 3%, and 5 +/- 2%). There was no difference between absorption of the isomers (cis 46 +/- 4%, trans 43 +/- 5%) in rats, but absorption was significantly greater than in monkeys. The IM urinary t1/2 values in monkeys and rats were similar for both isomers (0.8-1.1 d).