Glands eccrine

Net chemical penetration of the skin is simply the sum of the accumulations by each of the mentioned routes and by other routes, for instance eccrine glands, where these contribute. The latter tiny glands are ubiquitously distributed over the body but are generally discounted in importance due to the limited fractional area they occupy and their unfavorable physiological states, either empty or profusely sweating. 

Eccrine glands can be found on the entire body surface of humans, except for the lips, external ear canal, clitoris, and labia minora. These glands play an important role in thermoregulation, which is necessary for fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. They secrete a milky or oily odorless liquid which produces the characteristic body smell after metabolism through surface bacteria of the skin. 

FIGURE 3.7 Elements of mammalian skin glands. S, sebaceous gland A, apocrine gland E, eccrine gland M, errector pili muscle H, hair follicle. (From Albone, 1984.)... 

Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) is sometimes reduced by antimuscarinic agents. However, relief is incomplete at best, probably because apocrine rather than eccrine glands are usually involved. 

Fig. 3. Immunohistochemical expression of (a) hK7 by the epithelium of eccrine glands of the skin (monoclonal antibody, clone 73.2), (b) hK13 by the epithelium of the bronchus (monoclonal antibody, clone IIC1), (c) hK5 by the ductal epithelium of the parotid gland (polyclonal antibody), (d) hK7 by the esophageal glands (monoclonal antibody, clone 73.2), (e) hK13 by the gastric mucosa (monoclonal antibody, clone 2-17), (f) hK6 by the large intestine mucosa (polyclonal antibody), (g) hK10 in an islet of Langerhans in the pancreas (monoclonal antibody, clone 5D3), (h) hKll by the epithelium of the urinary tubuli (monoclonal antibody), (i) hKll by a papillary renal cell carcinoma (monoclonal antibody).

The major barrier of the skin is the outermost dead layer, the stratum corneum. A number of routes of penetration of a drug, across this region can be identified. First, the appendages, the pilosebaceous and eccrine glands, form a potential shunt route across the stratum corneum. The relative surface area of these is very small (<0.1%) and there has been little conclusive evidence to suggest that this is a major route. Second, the penetrant could diffuse across the entire stratum corneum through the dead cells, the corneocytes. A large surface area is available but the... 

Both patients responded to a low fat diet and 1% metronidazole ointment. The authors suggested that serotonin indirectly affects the nerve endings of the eccrine glands via other peptides, and that the interaction of MDMA with serotonin may have caused the rapid development of pimples in these abusers. 

Hair follicles and their associated sebaceous glands (pilosebaceous glands), eccrine glands, apocrine glands, and finger and toenails are all considered skin appendages. Hair follicles are found everywhere within the skin except for the soles of the feet, the palms of the hand, the red portion (vermilion border) of the lips, and the external genitalia. All are formed from fetal epidermal cells. Hair differs markedly in its prominence from place to place over the body. Delicate primary hair is found on the fetus secondary hair or down covers the adult forehead terminal hair ordinarily blankets the scalp and is found as pubic... 

A few products modulate operation of the skin s appendages. These include antiperspirants (as opposed to deodorants), which use the astringency of chemicals such as aluminum chloride so as to reversibly irritate and close the orifices of eccrine glands... 

The pathologic changes in skin and subcutaneous tissue are similar to those of scleroderma.42 Skin biopsy specimens show infiltration of inflammatory cells, extensive collagen deposition, and collagen-encased ectatic sweat glands. The inflammatory infiltrates (mainly lymphocytes and monocytes, with some eosinophils and plasma cells) are located around small blood vessels, hair follicles, eccrine glands, and nerves. The subcutaneous connective tissue shows replacement of fat cells by collagen and thickened and fibrotic septa. The superficial fascia also reveal inflammatory infiltrates.42... 

Ishihara M, Mehregan OR, Hashimoto K, et al. Staining of eccrine and apocrine neoplasms and metastatic adenocarcinoma with IKH-4, a monoclonal antibody specific for the eccrine gland./ Cutan Pathol. 1998 25 100-105. 

Deodorants and antiperspirants are ftequendy compounded together. Deodorants seldom actually remove odor they simply mask odors or inhibit the microorganisms that cause body odor. Deodorants include several strong perfumes, often with minty or musky odors. Odors can be lessened somewhat by decreasing perspiration. Most underarm perspiration comes from the apocrine or eccrine glands. Perspiration probably functions primarily to cool the skin and get rid of excess heat, but may also carry pheromones and fatty acids and excrete excess salt. The active ingredients of antiperspirants are usually aluminum salts such as aluminum chloride (AlCft). Aluminum ions are absorbed by cells in the epidermis that squeeze the sweat gland ducts closed. Talcum powders may be used to absorb excess perspiration. 

Another result of the supposed aquatic phase in man s development was that man s pheromones largely disappeared. In contrast to other mammals, man developed eccrine glands for efficient sweat control.Residual apocrine glands in humans are now limited to scent... 

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