Abstract:
Zinc displays ‘in vitro’ some antiandrogen activity through an inhibition of the 5 alpha-reductase activity. The clinical relevance of this effect is unknown, particularly during zinc therapy of acne. As sebum production could be a pharmacological target, a sensitive method was used for measuring the rate of sebum delivery to the skin surface during treatment with a topical 4% erythromycin-1.2% zinc acetate formulation. A series of four successive 1-h samplings with Sebutape was taken to derive the rate of sebum output from the slope of the regression line given by cumulative data. As a control the classical photometric method was used. Such combined evaluation revealed a sebosuppressive effect for the topical zinc formulation tested.
Author:
PiÆerard GE; PiÆerard-Franchimont C
Source:
Clin Exp Dermatol, 1993 Sep, 18:5, 410-3
Address:
Department of Dermatopathology, University of LiÄege, Belgium.
Language:
English
Unique Identifier:
94074163
