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The cutaneous corticosteroid vasoconstriction assay: a reflectance spectroscopic and laser‐Doppler flowmetric study
Author(s) -
ANDERSEN P.,
MILIONI K.,
MAIBACH H.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1993.tb00262.x
Subject(s) - vasoconstriction , laser doppler velocimetry , medicine , reflectivity , doppler effect , optics , physics , blood flow , astronomy
Summary Cutaneous vasoconstriction induced by topical corticosteroids was investigated using non‐invasive bioengineering techniques. Corticosteroids of different potency in alcoholic solution were applied topically, under occlusion, and cutaneous blanching was investigated using visual scoring, reflectance spectroscopy (RS) and laser‐DoppIer flowmetry (LDF), The RS technique allowed separation of cutaneous haemoglobin content into arterial oxygenated (OH) and venous deoxygen‐ated haemoglobin (DOH) components. Application of alcohol decreased total haemoglobin by 10%, with a corresponding 8% increase in blood flow (BF). Clobetasol propionate was the most potent vasoconstrictor, inducing signiflcant visible blanching and decreasing DOH (30%), OH (33%) and BF (18%) ( P <0.01). Fluocinolone acetonide, betamethasone‐17‐valerate and dexamethasone also caused visible blanching ( P <0.01). There was no signiflcant decrease in BF, but reflectance spectroscopy showed a decrease in DOH ( P <0.01). Tixocortol, CMJ and hydrocortisone acetate did not produce signiflcant blanching, although DOH was decreased compared with the alcohol control. Measured by reflectance spectroscopy, corticosteroid‐induced blanching was predominantly venoconstriction and only the most potent corticosteroid caused a significant decrease in OH and blood flow. This may explain why previous attempts to improve cutaneous vasoconstriction assays using laser‐Doppler flowmetry have been unsuccessful.