Percutaneous absorption in experimental epidermal proliferation.

Essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) results in epidermal hyperproliferation with acanthosis and hyperkeratosis. The EFAD hairless mouse has been used to study the percutaneous absorption of a 0.1% solution of 4-(14)C-hydrocortisone. In vitro absorption was increased significantly through EFAD compared with normal hairless mouse skin. This is further evidence for a defective skin barrier function in epidermal hyperproliferation.