The Effect of Surfactants on Metabolism of Choline Phospholipids in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes in Culture

Abstract

The pathophysiology of surfactant-induced cutaneous primary irritancy most likely involves surfactant interaction with phospholipids of skin cell membranes. The effect of such agents on membrane choline (Ch) phospholipid metabolism was investigated in human epidermal keratinocytes in culture. Cells were prelabeled with [3H]Ch and then treated with four surfactants: linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), alkyl ethoxylate sulfate (AEOS-3EO). and TWEEN-20. Media were assayed for release of labeled Ch metabolites. All four surfactants stimulated release of label in a dose-dependent manner in concentrations between 5 × 10⁻³ and 5 × 10⁻⁵ M.