Induction of skin tanning by subcutaneous administration of a potent synthetic melanotropin.
OBJECTIVE--To determine the efficacy of short-term administration of a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanotropin, [Nle4D-Phe7] (NDP)-alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), in darkening (tanning) human skin. DESIGN--Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. SETTING--Clinical research unit of a university medical center. SUBJECTS--Twenty-eight healthy white men with a history of either poor tanning (skin type I or II) or good tanning (skin type III or IV) recruited from advertisements and paid to participate in the study. METHODS--Each subject received 10 subcutaneous injections of either a purified NDP preparation or saline over 12 days. They were followed up for 7 weeks after therapy was completed. All subjects used a high-potency sunscreen during the trial. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Skin darkening was quantified by serial chromaticity measurements prior to, during, and after therapy.


RESULTS
-A significant parabolic curve of skin darkening activity was noted in subjects with skin type I or II (P less than .001) and with skin type III or IV (P much less than .001) who were given NDP. No darkening occurred in the subjects who were given a placebo. Peak changes were seen 1 to 3 weeks after therapy was completed. CONCLUSION--Human skin darkens as a response to a synthetic melanotropin given by subcutaneous injection. Skin tanning appears possible without potentially harmful exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Levine
N
N
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson 85724.
Sheftel
S N
SN
Eytan
T
T
Dorr
R T
RT
Hadley
M E
ME
Weinrach
J C
JC
Ertl
G A
GA
Toth
K
K
McGee
D L
DL
Hruby
V J
VJ
D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010919:Placebos; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
D010919:Placebos; D000521:alpha-MSH; C027756:MSH, 4-Nle-7-Phe-alpha-