Lipid hydrocarbon chain layer, thermal

In addition, data obtained from infrared, thermal, and fluorescence spectroscopic studies of the outermost layer of skin, stratum corneum (SC), and its components imply enhancer-improved permeation of solutes through the SC is associated with alterations involving the hydrocarbon chains of the SC lipid components. Data obtained from electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction reveals that the disordering of the lamellar packing is also an important mechanism for increased permeation of drugs induced by penetration enhancers (for a recent review, see Ref. 206). 

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