title: The effect of topical retinoids on the leukotriene-B4-induced migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into human skin.
abstract: Systemic retinoids are effective in a variety of inflammatory dermatoses. Disorders in which polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are involved, such as psoriasis and acne, respond particularly well to various retinoids. However, side-effects restrict the use of systemic retinoids to severe manifestations. Topical application might provide the possibility of avoiding the systemic side-effects of these compounds. In this communication we report on the modulation of transepidermal migration of PMN by topical application of all-trans-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid, arotinoid methyl sulphone and arotinoid ethyl sulphone. Test areas of healthy volunteers were pretreated with these retinoids in a cream base and with corresponding placebo creams, and intraepidermal accumulation of PMN was quantified 24 h after epicutaneous challenge with leukotriene B4 (LTB4), using elastase as a marker enzyme. Topical treatment with 13-cis-retinoic acid resulted in a marked and statistically significant inhibition of the LTB4-induced migration of PMN. All-trans-retinoic acid, arotinoid methyl sulphone and arotinoid ethyl sulphone reduced the accumulation of PMN slightly, but not statistically significantly. Topical treatment with arotinoid methyl sulphone had no effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wozel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zultak
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Czarnetzki
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Happle
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: van de Kerkhof
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012176:Retinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D012176:Retinoids; D007975:Leukotriene B4