ABSTRACT
It has been known for years that enzymes in skin catalyze a wide variety of metabolic reactions (Pannatier et al., 1978; Bickers, 1980; Kappus, 1989). All the major enzymes important for systemic metabolism in the liver and other tissues have been identifi ed in skin (Pannatier et al., 1978). Often enzyme activity has been found to be lower in skin (on a per mg tissue basis) when compared to the liver (Bronaugh et al., 1989; Mukhtar and Bickers, 1981). However, the skin is the largest organ in the body with a surface area of 2 m2 and total weight estimated at 4 kg-about three times that of the liver (Pannatier et al., 1978). Therefore, the skin can play an important role as a portal of entry of chemicals into the body.
