Relationship between sebostatic activity, tolerability and efficacy of three topical drugs to treat mild to moderate acne.
BACKGROUND
Acne is a multifactorial disorder in which the sebum plays an important pathogenetic role.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the sebostatic effect of three anti-acneic ingredients (azelaic acid, adapalene and benzoyl peroxide) conveyed in cream and to determine whether there is a correlation with the therapeutic results.


METHODS
Sixty-five patients with mild or moderate acne localized on the face were divided into three therapy groups at random: 25 applied azelaic acid once a day, 20, benzoyl peroxide and 20, adapalene. All the patients were observed at the time of enrolling and a further four times at fortnightly intervals. At each visit the sebum casual level on the forehead, chin and one cheek was measured using a sebumeter. Furthermore, side-effects and clinical-therapeutic effectiveness were noted.


RESULTS
Four patients did not complete the study. Azelaic acid showed an average reduction of 13.9% in sebum production on the forehead, 14.2% on the chin and 15.2% on the cheek. Benzoyl peroxide caused an increase of 10.5% in sebum production on the forehead, 10.3% on the chin and 25.4% on the cheek. Adapalene reduced sebaceous secretion by 0.2% on the forehead and 6.7% on the cheek whereas sebum production increased by 6.2% on the chin. All three drugs showed a clinical improvement in the acneic lesions with moderate adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The three topical drugs bring about good therapeutic results with scarce side-effects that do not, however, seem to be correlated with the sebostatic activity.
Stinco
G
G
Institute of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology and Medicine, University of Udine, Gemona Hospital, Piazza Rodolone 1, 33013 Gemona del Friuli, Udine, Italy. giuseppe.stinco@uniud.it
Bragadin
G
G
Trotter
D
D
Pillon
B
B
Patrone
P
P
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068816:Adapalene; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009824:Ointments; D012629:Sebum / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids; D009281:Naphthalenes; D009824:Ointments; D000068816:Adapalene; C010038:azelaic acid; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide