title: [Evaluation of the anti-comedo effect of azelaic acid using the technique of horny layer biopsy and scanning electron microscopy].
abstract: Hyperkeratosis of the follicular channel is the most common finding in acne skin. The hyperkeratosis may represent an altercated keratinization process or the consequence of the abnormal sebum production and excretion. Several review demonstrated the anti-comedo activity of azelaic acid in acneic skin. This action may be due either to an anti-hormonal effect or to a change in keratin production. The aim of this work is to investigate the anti-comedo activity of 20% azelaic acid cream topically applied in a group of teen-agers affected by acne. A horny layer biopsy with cyanoacrylate glue was performed before and after four months of treatment with azelaic acid cream in ten acne patients. About 1 cm square horny layer biopsy was metallized and observed at the scanning electron microscopy to count the number of comedos. With this method we detected a reduction of about 26% of the comedos after four months of azelaic acid treatment. The result we obtained is in accordance with previous works about the anti-comedo activity of azelaic acid.
authors: Clinica Dermatologica I dell'Università degli Studi, Milano.
authors: A G
authors: AG
authors: Angius
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Barbareschi
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Cattaneo
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Monti
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Caputo
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids; D009824:Ointments; C010038:azelaic acid
vernacular_title: Valutazione dell'effetto anticomedonico dell'acido azelaico mediante la tecnica della "biopsia" cornea e l'osservazione al microscopio elettronico a scansione.