Effect of hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone aceponate and momethasone furoate on collagen synthesis in human skin in vivo

• Published in: Skin pharmacology Vol. 10; no. 5-6; p. 261
• Main Authors: Haapasaari, K M, Risteli, J, Karvonen, J, Oikarinen, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 1997
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Collagen - biosynthesis; Humans; Hydrocortisone - pharmacology; Male; Methylprednisolone - analogs & derivatives; Methylprednisolone - pharmacology; Mometasone Furoate; Peptide Fragments - metabolism; Pregnadienediols - pharmacology; Procollagen - metabolism; Skin - drug effects; Skin - metabolism
• ISSN: 1011-0283

Topical corticoids decrease de novo collagen synthesis in the human skin. We studied the effect of three corticoids, hydrocortisone (HC), methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) and momethasone furoate (MMF) on the de novo synthesis of type I and III collagens. Fifteen healthy male volunteers treated four areas marked on their abdominal skin for 1 week. HC was applied twice a day, MPA and MMF once a day plus vehicle once a day and vehicle twice a day. After the treatment, suction blisters were induced on the treated areas, the suction blister fluid (SBF) was collected and procollagen propeptides of type I and III procollagens (PINP, PIIINP, respectively) were analyzed by radioimmunological assays. The protein concentration in SBF was determined by a colorimetric method. All the corticoids studied decreased the procollagen propeptide concentrations in SBF. HC decreased PINP concentration by 66%, MPA by 68% and MMF by 72%. HC decreased PIIINP by 62%, MPA by 68% and MMF by 72%. The protein concentration in SBF was decreased by 11-15% by these topical corticoids. HC decreases the concentration of procollagen propeptides in human skin in males to nearly the same extent as MPA and MMF.