title: Action of topical thyroid hormone analogue, triiodothyroacetic acid in reversing glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy in humans.
abstract: The present study concerns the effect of topical treatment with a cream formulation of triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) in comparison with a placebo preparation in producing a reversal of skin atrophy induced by long-term employment of topical glucocorticoid therapy in humans. A total of 39 patients with clinically verified skin atrophy due to long-term use of topical potent glucocorticoids were randomized. The changes in skin thickness, elastic fibers, and hyaluronic acid were evaluated by means of sonography and histology. After 8 weeks' treatment, the skin thickness measured by sonography increased by 16% in the epidermis, 8% in the dermis, and epidermis + dermis in the placebo group. In the TRIAC 0.1% group, the corresponding values were 24% ( p=0.063) in the epidermis, 28% ( p=0.042) in the dermis, and 25% ( p=0.039) in the epidermis + dermis. After 8 weeks, in the placebo group, the skin thickness measured by biopsy increased by 5% in the epidermis, epidermis + dermis, and 6% in the dermis. In the TRIAC 0.1% group, the corresponding values were 31% ( p=0.041) in the epidermis, 46% ( p=0.041) in the dermis and 44% ( p=0.043) in the epidermis + dermis. After 8 weeks, the elastic fibers of moderately irregular and thickened fibers increased by 56% in the placebo group and 100% ( p=0.043) in the TRIAC 0.1 group. This study indicates that topical treatment with TRIAC appears to reverse glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy under the narrow conditions tested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. parviz.yazdanparast@vgregion.se
authors.forename: Parviz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yazdanparast
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.forename: Aarne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oikarinen
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Risteli
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lavin
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faergemann
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy; D001706:Biopsy; D020405:Dermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010919:Placebos; D014284:Triiodothyronine; C010642:3,3',5-triiodothyroacetic acid; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid