Quantitating the Absorption, Partitioning and Toxicity of Hydrocarbon Components of JP-8 Jet Fuel

摘要

The focus of this research project was to characterize the nature of JP-8 toxicity to the skin and continue development of an in vitro model system, membrane coated fiber (MCEG) array, for assessing physiochemical parameters related to hydrocarbon partitioning and absorption through skin. In vitro studies with human epidermal keratinocytes demonstrated that inhibition of the NF-kB pathway with blockers confirms its role in cytokine production in jet fuel and hydrocarbon exposure in vitro. This could potentially reduce the inflammatory effect of fuel exposure in vivo. Exposure to the synthetic hydrocarbon fuel S-8 also is capable of inducing epidermal keratinocyte irritation in vitro as assessed by cytotoxicity and cytokine release. We have shown close correlation between MCF predicted dermal absorption of a series of compounds and measured permeability in skin. Patterns of aromatic hydrocarbon partitioning into three different MOE fibers (Polydimethylsiloxane, Polyacrylate, Carbowax) from three different vehicles (water, water/ethanol, biological albumin containing media) were different and could serve as a basis for clustering jet fuel hydrocarbon constituents in interpreting their patterns of absorption or biodistribution.