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Influence of Oral Metronidazole on the Endocrine Milieu and Sebum Excretion Rate
Author(s) -
Aizawa Hiroshi,
Niimura Michihito,
Kon Yukiko
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1346-8138.1992.tb03812.x
Subject(s) - endocrine system , excretion , metronidazole , medicine , endocrinology , physiology , chemistry , hormone , antibiotics , biochemistry
As part of a study of the mechanism of metronidazol's efficacy in the treatment of acne and rosacea, its effects on the endocrine milieu and sebum excretion rate were assessed. Thirteen healthy males received oral metronidazole treatment (500 mg/day) for 4 weeks. Serum sex hormone levels were determined in all 13 subjects and the sebum excretion rate was determined in seven of them, before and after treatment. We measured serum levels of estrone (E 1 ), estradiol (E 2 ), total testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S), and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG). There were no significant changes in E 1 , T, FT, DHT, or SHBG levels, but E 2 and DHEA‐S levels decreased significantly after treatment. In all seven subjects in whom the sebum excretion rates were determined, the amount of facial skin surface lipids decreased significantly after treatment. These results suggest that metronidazole exerts its clinical effects through suppressing the sebum excretion by a mechanism other than anti‐androgenic action.