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An in vivo experimental model for effects of topical retinoic acid in human skin
Author(s) -
GRIFFITHS C.E.M.,
FINKEL L.J.,
TKANFAGLIA M.G.,
HAMILTON T.A.,
VOORHEES J.J.
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.tb03163.x
Subject(s) - retinoic acid , in vivo , chemistry , retinoid , human skin , pharmacology , epidermis (zoology) , tretinoin , hairless , biochemistry , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , gene , genetics
Summary An occlusive patch‐test assay has been developed for assessment of topical retinoid action in human epidermis. Previous work with this assay has demonstrated marked epidermal hyperplasia in skin treated with topical all‐ trans ‐retinoic acid for 4 days and similar effects with the local irritant, sodium lauryl sulphate. To investigate the capabilities of this assay further, a time‐course and dose‐response were performed with all‐ trans ‐retinoic acid, and a comparison made with sodium lauryl sulphate. At no time, between 1 and 4 days, could the clinical or histological effects of 0.1% and 0.025% cream formulations of all‐ trans ‐retinoic acid be distinguished from each other. Epidermal hyperplasia was used to generate a 4‐day dose‐response for all‐trans‐retinoic acid at concentrations from 0. 00 l to 0. 025% dissolved in a 70% ethanol/30% propylene glycol vehicle. All‐ trans ‐retinoic acid could he successfully differentiated from sodium lauryl sulphate at 2 days by virtue of its greater ability to increase epidermal thickness, spongiosis and glycosaminoglycan deposition. It appears that although all‐ trans ‐retinoic acid and sodium lauryl sulphate produce similar epidermal histological changes at 4 days, significant differences at earlier time‐points suggest differing mechanisms of action. In addition, this in vivo human assay is able to provide potency ranking for doses of all‐ trans ‐retinoic acid, and may predict clinical efficacy of retinoids in improvement of acne and/or photodamage.