The effect of 1,24(R)(OH)2D3 cream and ointment on epidermal proliferation and differentiation in mice.
BACKGROUND
The 1,24(R)(OH)2D3 (tacalcitol) ointment (2 micrograms/g) is available commercially as an antipsoriatic drug in Japan, but the cream preparation of tacalcitol is still under development.


OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to compare the ability of tacalcitol cream and ointment to inhibit epidermal proliferation and induce epidermal differentiation.


METHODS
We measured the ornithine decarboxylase activity and type I transglutaminase activity as indices of proliferation and differentiation, respectively, in hairless mice.


RESULTS
These effects were statistically equal to those of the ointment preparation at the same dose, 2 micrograms/g, without inducing hypercalcemia.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that topical application of 1,24(OH)2D3 cream (2 micrograms/g) might have the same potency as the ointment formulation in the treatment of psoriasis.
Sato
H
H
Pharmacological Research Department, Teijin Institute for Bio-Medical Research, Tokyo, Japan.
Sugimoto
I
I
Fukuoka
M
M
Ohta
T
T
Kiyoki
M
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008812:Mice, Hairless; D009824:Ointments; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols; D009824:Ointments; C023850:1 alpha,24-dihydroxyvitamin D3; D011503:Transglutaminases; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase; D002118:Calcium