Penetration of Silver Nanoparticles Into Porcine Skin Ex Vivo Using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy, Raman Microscopy, and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Microscopy

    November 2014 in “ Journal of Biomedical Optics ”
    Yongjian Zhu, ChunSik Choe, Sebastian Ahlberg, Martina C. Meinke, Ulrike Alexiev, Juergen Lademann, Maxim E. Darvin
    TLDR Silver nanoparticles can penetrate porcine skin up to about 15.6 μm, possibly through hair follicles.
    The study investigated the penetration depth of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in porcine skin using various microscopy techniques. Ag NPs were applied to porcine ears and incubated for 24 hours. Results from fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy showed a significant decrease in Ag NPs' signal intensity from the skin surface to a depth of 4 μm, disappearing completely at 12 to 14 μm. Confocal Raman microscopy indicated a penetration depth of 11.1 ± 2.1 μm, while surface-enhanced Raman scattering microscopy showed a depth of 15.6 ± 8.3 μm. The findings suggested that Ag NPs could penetrate beyond the stratum corneum, potentially entering through hair follicles.
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