Determination of the pH Gradient in Hair Follicles of Human Volunteers Using pH-Sensitive Melamine Formaldehyde-Pyranine Nile Blue Microparticles | Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)

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Citation
Tags

HERO ID

7325071

Reference Type

Journal Article

Subtype

Letter

Title

Determination of the pH Gradient in Hair Follicles of Human Volunteers Using pH-Sensitive Melamine Formaldehyde-Pyranine Nile Blue Microparticles

Author(s)

Kaden, D; Dähne, L; Knorr, F; Richter, H; Lademann, J; Meinke, MC; Patzelt, A; Darvin, ME; Jung, S

Year

2020

Is Peer Reviewed?

Journal

Sensors
ISSN: 1424-8220

Volume

Issue

Language

English

PMID

32937874

DOI

10.3390/s20185243

Web of Science Id

WOS:000581995900001

Abstract

Nanoparticles can be applied to the hair follicles, which can serve as reservoirs for triggered drug release. A valid measurement method for the determination of the pH within the hair follicle in vivo has not been shown yet. Here, melamine formaldehyde particles up to 9 µm in size were applied on 40 freshly plucked scalp hairs of eight individuals to determine the pH along the hair shaft down to the root area of the hair. For fluorescent pH indicators, pyranine and Nile blue were incorporated into the particles. Measurements were conducted using confocal laser scanning microscopy. A pH decay gradient could be found from the hair sheath towards the external hair shaft (p = 0.012) with pH values at the hair sheath of 6.63 ± 0.09, at the hair sheath end at 6.33 ± 0.11, and at the external hair shaft at 6.17 ± 0.09 (mean ± SE). The pH difference between the hair sheath end and the external hair shaft was found to be significant (p = 0.036). The results might be comparable with the pH within the hair follicle in vivo indicating a pH increase towards the hair root.