Comedolytic effect of topical retinaldehyde in the rhino mouse model.
BACKGROUND
Retinaldehyde is a key molecule in the metabolism of vitamin A by keratinocytes. In order to evaluate its range of topical activity in acne, its comedolytic effect was compared to that of retinoic acid in the same vehicle, in the rhino mouse model.


METHODS
The animals were treated on the back daily for 5 consecutive days per week for 3 weeks. At the end of this period, histological slides were analyzed in order to quantify the features of comedones and epidermal thickness.


RESULTS
Topical treatment with a retinaldehyde (0.05% w/w) and a retinoic acid formulation (0. 025% w/w) induced comedolysis and increased the epidermal thickness with the same intensity.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that retinaldehyde exerts a significant comedolytic activity.
Fort-Lacoste
L
L
Centre Expérimental et Pharmacocinétique de Campans, Castres, France.
Verscheure
Y
Y
Tisne-Versailles
J
J
Navarro
R
R
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D051379:Mice; D008812:Mice, Hairless; D012172:Retinaldehyde / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology
D014212:Tretinoin; D012172:Retinaldehyde