Application of dermal microdialysis for the evaluation of bioequivalence of a ketoprofen topical gel

The purpose was to investigate dermal microdialysis (DMD) for the assessment of the bioavailability of a ketoprofen topical gel formulation and to evaluate this technique as a tool for the determination of bioequivalence. Four microdialysis probes were inserted into the dermis on the volar aspect of the forearms of 18 human subjects and the probes were perfused with normal saline for 60min. A ketoprofen (2.5%, m/m) gel formulation (50mg) was applied to the skin directly overlying the probes and samples were collected at 30min intervals for 5h. With the probes still in place in the dermis each site was scanned by ultrasound to determine the implantation depth of these probes. Ketoprofen concentration in dialysates was determined by LC–MS/MS. The area under the curve obtained from the concentration–time profiles from pairs of application sites in each subject was evaluated in order to assess bioequivalence. Ninety percent confidence intervals were calculated using the two one-sided test procedure and limits of 80–125% based on log-transformed data were used as acceptance criteria to declare bioequivalence. The intra-subject variability was 10% between probes whereas inter-subject variability was 68% (n=18). Bioequivalence was confirmed with a power greater than 90%.