A bioelectrometric technique was implemented in the study of 3-methylcholanthrene and benzene interaction with the epidermis of hairless mice. In contrast to previous studies of this nature, the experimental results were obtained entirely in uivo without causing injury to the mice. The results obtained are analogous to titration curves of amphoteric macromolecules. Inspection of the curves and their temporal variations following the topical application of the hydrocarbons revealed the induction of significant changes in the density of ionogenic groups affixed to the epidermal colloids. The carcinogenic 3-methylcholanthrene was observed to induce consistently a reduction of net cationic fixedcharge density attributable to the loss or discharge of basic nitrogenous groups titratable above, at least, pH 7.4. A discussion of some of the possible mechanisms of this observation is presented. The results of the present study indicate the bioelectrometric method to be complementary to the more direct experimental techniques commonly employed.
Key phrases 0 Carcinogenic hydrocarbon interaction-mouse epidermis 0 Epidermis, mouse-3-methylcholanthrene, benzene IJ 3-Methylcholanthrene, benzene effects-epidermal net charge density IJ Bioelectrometric determination-pidermiis-hydrocarbon interaction