Abstract

Besides its well known endocrinological effects, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) has potential clinical value in the treatment of neurotrauma and various neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to assess if transdermal delivery of TRH and its analogue, M-TRH, in the presence of enhancers, is an effective means for administration of the peptides. Using the in vitro diffusion cell method, the effect of ethanol and a terpene on the transdermal penetration of the peptides across full-thickness rat skin were studied. Steady-state permeability values for TRH and M-TRH were 8.7 +/- 2.2 and 6.7 +/- 1.4 microg/cm(2) h, respectively. The addition of 3 % terpene in combination with 47 % ethanol increased the penetration of TRH and M-TRH to 16.2 +/- 1.7 and 14.6 +/- 2.1 microg/cm(2) h, respectively. Rats were studied in vivo for release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) as a biologic effect after transdermally delivered peptide. Topical application of TRH and M-TRH induced an increase in TSH serum concentration from 0.32 +/- 0.09 ng/ml to 32.6 +/- 5.0 and 22.9 +/- 7.6 ng/ml, respectively, after 30 min. The addition of terpene and ethanol in combination with TRH or M-TRH, increased the TSH release to 43.0 +/- 3.8 and 48.4 +/- 4.0 ng/ml, respectively. It is concluded that, in the rat, peptides can be absorbed through the skin with retained biologic activity, and in amounts sufficient to elicit a physiological response.