THE EFFECTS OF A 2-NAPHTHOL PEELING PASTE ON SEBACEOUS GLANDS REMOTE FROM ITS SITE OF APPLICATION

Summary— The sebum excretion rate and chemical composition of sebum from the foreheads of 4 young men with acne vulgaris were changed markedly when a 2-naphthol paste was applied to other skin sites. The excretion rate, free fatty acid content and wax ester content fell but the triglyceride content increased. Recurrence of acne on stopping treatment was associated with an increase in wax ester content and a decrease in triglyceride content but little change in excretion rate and free fatty acid content.     

THE EFFECT OF TOPICAL TETRAYNOIC ACID ON THE SEBORKHOEA OF ACNE

SUMMARY.— 2 per cent tetraynoic acid with 20% propylene glycol in ethanol has no effect on the sebum excretion rate when applied topically in acne vulgaris. This contrasts with the slight but definite decrease in sebum excretion rate produced by 2% tetraynoic acid alone.     

SURVEY OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF STEROID DEHYDROGENASES IN SEBACEOUS GLANDS OF HUMAN SKIN

SUMMARY.— This paper reports the results of a survey carried out using human skin to investigate the distribution of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 16β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase over the skin surface. In common with other work, sebaceous glands were found in greater numbers in the face, scalp and thoracic region. The enzymes occur at all ages, although there was an apparent increase in activity in the 20–30 age group. The enzymes occur in both sexes, although there is a difference with the 17β-HSD, the enzyme occurring more frequently in male skin biopsies. The enzymes occur in all surface areas of the human body and differences from a previous survey are noted. In particular the enzymes are found in the scalp, the perineal region, the arms, legs and abdomen, as well as the face and chest. The difference between the localization of the 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD within sebaceous glands is described.     

THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN A DERIVATIVES ON DIGESTIVE GLANDS OF RATS

The effects of toxic doses of vitamin A and its derivatives on the exocrine functions of the liver, pancreas and stomach of rats were observed. Vitamin A, retinoic acid or retinoid, an aromatic analog of retinoic acid, was given orally in a single large dose or in repeated doses. Excessive feeding of vitamin A or its derivatives, particularly retinoic acid, caused considerable toxicity and a change in the exocrine functions of the digestive glands. The mortality was high (37.5%) in rats treated with retinoic acid. Only one of 40 rats died in the retinoid group and none in the vitamin A or the control groups. The rats treated with retinoic acid or retinoid lost weight but recovered within 2 weeks after the completion of treatment.     

EFFECT OF TOPICAL TETKAYNOIC ACID ON SEBUM EXCRETION

SUMMARY.— The topical application of 2% tetraynoic acid in ethanol +20% of propylene glycol failed to produce a significant reduction in sebum excretion in subjects with acne.     

INFLUENCE OF VITAMIN E ON THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN A DERIVATIVES ON DIGESTIVE GLANDS OF RATS

This study was designed to investigate the influence of d-α-tocopheryl acetate on the toxic effect of retinoic acid and retinoid (Ro 10-9359) on pancreaticobiliary and gastric secretion after the administration of large doses for 3 weeks to albino rats. The toxicity of retinoic acid on body weight and exocrine function, and the morphologic changes in the main digestive glands of the rat are greater than with retinoid. It is clear that vitamin E may suppress or counteract the undesirable toxic effects of retinoic acid and retinoid and appears to promote the function of the main digestive glands of rats.     

THE EFFECT OF TOPICAL CYPROTERONE ACETATE ON SEBUM SECRETION IN PATIENTS WITH ACNE

SUMMARY.— Cyproterone acetate applied topically in D.M.S.O. in 12 patients with acne for 6–8 weeks had no effect on the acne or on the sebum secretion. D.M.S.O. was also without effect.     

EFFECT OF TOPICAL PAROMOMYCIN ON CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY DURING CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical paromomycin treatment on the development of immunity during cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methods. Three parameters of immunity were measured in the course of the disease: leishmanicidal effector activity, lymphocyte proliferation (cell-mediated immunity), and antibody levels (humoral immunity). Peripheral blood specimens of 55 treated and 36 untreated patients were tested. Results. The main results of this study showed that there was a significant delay in the development of leishmanicidal effector activity and to a lesser extent also a delay in the development of antigen-specific proliferative response in the treated compared with the untreated group. No difference was observed between the groups regarding the values achieved in the various tests. Conclusions. These results suggest that topical paromomycin treatment delays the development of cell-mediated immunity but does not affect the levels of immunity that are eventually achieved.     

EFFECT OF TOPICAL TRETINOIN ON EPIDERMAL LANGERHANS'CELLS IN PHOTODAMAGED SKIN

Background. Topical tretinoin has been successfully applied to treat photoaging; however, a decrease in the number of Langerhans’cells (LC) has been reported after its topical application in Macaque skin. A study was performed to evaluate the possible effect of topical tretinoin on the number of LC in human beings. Methods. Eight patients were studied. Topical tretinoin was applied in progressively increasing concentrations: 0.025% for 1 month, 0.05% for one month and 0.1% for 4 months. A skin biopsy from the malar area was taken before this therapy and 6 months later. To study LC, 4 p frozen sections were stained with the anti-CD1 antibody. Results. The number of CD1+ cells did not change when they were counted per unit of epidermal length, but they decreased when they were counted per unit of epidermal surface. Conclusions. These results indicate that topical tretinoin might damage epidermal Langerhans’cells, when it is applied for long periods of time; future studies are necessary to clarify this point.     

THE INFLUENCE OF FORMULATION ON TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROID ACTIVITY

SUMMARY.— The factors influencing topical corticosteroid activity are primarily concerned with selection of the derivative with the most suitable physico-chemical characteristics and to a less extent with the choice of the vehicle. Dissolving the corticosteroid in a suitable solvent appears to enhance skin absorption. Its solubility in the vehicle influences the amount of corticosteroid released and greatest release is obtained from preparations in which the corticosteroid is dissolved in its maximal solubility concentration. Other factors, such as the effect of the solvent on the skin barrier, the degree of hydration of the horny layer and the temperature also play a part.
The effect of vehicles on corticosteroids has been investigated in vitro using artificial and natural membranes. These methods may be useful in screening new products, hut more reliable assessment can be made by in vivo studies. Animal experiments cannot be applied without reservations to human conditions. Experimental and clinical evaluation in humans presents its own problems, especially from the point of view of quantitative assessment, but it offers the most reliable information on the influence of formulation on topical corticosteroid activity.     

OIL OF BITTER ORANGE: NEW TOPICAL ANTIFUNGAL AGENT

Background. Superficial dermatophyte infection is one of the most common dermatologic diseases. Some of these infections are extremely resistant to therapy. Methods and Patients. Sixty patients participated in this study; they were classified into three groups (20 patients in each). All groups had comparable numbers of patients with tinea corporis, cruris, and pedis. Group 1 was treated with a 25% emulsion of oil of bitter orange (OBO) three times daily; group 2 was treated with 20% OBO in alcohol three times daily and group 3 was treated with pure OBO, once daily. Clinical and mycologic examinations were performed before therapy and every week until a complete cure had occurred. Results. In group 1, 80% of patients were cured in 1 to 2 weeks and 20% in 2 to 3 weeks. In group 2, 50% were cured in 1 to 2 weeks, 30% in 2 to 3 weeks and 20% in 3 to 4 weeks. In group 3, 25% of patients did not continue the trial. Of the remaining patients, 33.3% were cured in one week, 60% in 1 to 2 weeks, and 6.7% in 2 to 3 weeks. Oil of bitter orange produced no side effects except mild irritation seen with the use of the pure form. Conclusions. An in vitro study showed that OBO (natural product) exerts fungistatic and fungicidal activity against a variety of pathogenic dermatophyte species. It is a promising, cheap, and available topical antifungal therapeutic agent.