title: Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate degradation in the presence of micro-organisms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compared the degradation of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (H17B) in the presence of six different bacteria, commonly found on psoriatic skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  H17B and its degradation products (hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone 21-butyrate (H21B)) were assayed by HPLC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the absence of micro-organisms, we observed 16.6 +/- 7.1% degradation. In the presence of micro-organisms and otherwise similar conditions, we noted that H17B degradation was not modified by cocci (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae). Three bacilli increased degradation, Escherichia coli 59.1 +/- 19.4%, Klebsiella oxytoca 62.1 +/- 6.7% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 56.0 +/- 17.9%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The degradation of H17B into hydrortisone and H21B may produce a loss of therapeutic activity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Poitiers University Hospital, France.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rabouan-Guyon
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fauvaud
authors.forename: P Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Courtois
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Barthes
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D001711:Biotransformation; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000382:microbiology; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C007975:hydrocortisone-17-butyrate; D006854:Hydrocortisone; C033015:hydrocortisone 21-butyrate