Name
#65 A three-dimensional, bioartificial human skin model: comparison of established and experimental skin decontaminants with the nerve agent VX
Speakers
Content Presented On Behalf Of:
International Delegates
Session Type
Poster
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Start Time
5:00 PM
End Time
7:00 PM
Location
Prince Georges Expo Hall E
Focus Areas/Topics
Trending/Hot Topics or Other not listed
Learning Outcomes
1. The participant will be able to understand penetration and diffusion processes of the nerve agent VX using a bioartificial three-dimensional human skin model.
2. The effect of skin decontamination depends on time.
3. The established and FDA approved RSDL and the potassium salt of the acetohydroxamic acid (AHAK) showed notable decontamination of VX.
4. The decontamination lotion AHAK might provide effective protection against the nerve agent VX post exposure and even as prophylaxis.
2. The effect of skin decontamination depends on time.
3. The established and FDA approved RSDL and the potassium salt of the acetohydroxamic acid (AHAK) showed notable decontamination of VX.
4. The decontamination lotion AHAK might provide effective protection against the nerve agent VX post exposure and even as prophylaxis.
Session Currently Live
Description
The Chemical Weapon Convention bans the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons. Nevertheless, nerve agent poisoning remains an ongoing threat. The limited efficacy of currently licensed antidotes underlines the importance of effective skin decontamination after percutaneous nerve agent exposure to reduce the uptake into the systemic circulation. A three-dimensional bioartificial human skin model (full-thickness) was used to examine the penetration and diffusion of the nerve agent VX in the well-established Franz-diffusion-cell. The efficacy of various experimental and established decontamination solutions was studied by initiating the decontamination process five or 30 minutes post exposure at 35°C (VX 10% (v/v); 10 µl on 1.5 cm2). Data were collected each 30 minutes for five hours (means ± standard deviation, n=5). The decontamination efficacy of Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL), potassium salt of the acetohydroxamic acid (AHAK, 880 mg/ml, 250 µl), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl, 2%, 250 µl) and tap water (250 µl) was examined. The amount of penetrated VX in the acceptor chamber was quantified with a photometric enzymatic assay (Ellman assay). A notable decontamination effect was observed for the FDA approved RSDL and AHAK. After five hours the amount of VX in the acceptor chamber was decreased by 96.16% (RSDL) and by 99.97% (AHAK) compared to the initially applied VX. Decontamination was initiated five minutes post exposure. Additionally, after 30 minutes post exposure the amount of VX was decreased by 85.54% (RSDL) and to 99.58% (AHAK). In contrast, the hydrophilic substances (water and NaOCl) were less effective considering decontamination (91.18% and 92.46%), especially when implemented 30 minutes post exposure (49.62% and 81.0%). Furthermore, AHAK was evaluated for its use as prophylaxis and demonstrated significant protective effects (99.98%). In conclusion, the full-thickness skin model represents an innovative technology to assess decontamination efficacy for percutaneous VX exposure. AHAK showed comparable results to established RSDL and might serve as a cost-effective decontamination lotion against VX post exposure and even as prophylaxis.