BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids have been shown to downregulate collagen synthesis in human skin in vivo, thereby contributing to skin atrophy. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of continuous and intermittent use of topical hydrocortisone on skin collagen synthesis and, furthermore, to elucidate the mechanism of collagen synthesis reduction induced by hydrocortisone. METHODS: Collagen propeptides reflecting the synthesis rate of type I and III collagens were studied from suction blister fluids in nine healthy subjects after 3 weeks of continuous (twice daily) or intermittent (on three consecutive days weekly) topical hydrocortisone treatment and 2 weeks after the termination of treatment. Type I collagen mRNA was studied in the same subjects from skin biopsies by using in situ hybridization (ISH) after 3 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Three weeks of continuous treatment decreased the types I and III collagen propeptides in suction blister fluid by 89% and 82%, respectively, while intermittent treatment resulted in a corresponding decrease of 53% and 50%. ISH studies from skin biopsies showed type I collagen mRNA to be markedly reduced in fibroblasts after continuous and intermittent steroid treatment. After a 2-week drug-free interval, the synthesis rate was completely restored in both areas, and some subjects even showed upregulation of synthesis in previously steroid-treated skin. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous hydrocortisone for 3 weeks markedly decreases collagen propeptides and corresponding mRNA in human skin. Intermittent hydrocortisone has a less marked effect on the collagen synthesis rate.
BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids have been shown to downregulate collagen synthesis in human skin in vivo, thereby contributing to skin atrophy. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of continuous and intermittent use of topical hydrocortisone on skin collagen synthesis and, furthermore, to elucidate the mechanism of collagen synthesis reduction induced by hydrocortisone. METHODS: Collagen propeptides reflecting the synthesis rate of type I and III collagens were studied from suction blister fluids in nine healthy subjects after 3 weeks of continuous (twice daily) or intermittent (on three consecutive days weekly) topical hydrocortisone treatment and 2 weeks after the termination of treatment. Type I collagen mRNA was studied in the same subjects from skin biopsies by using in situ hybridization (ISH) after 3 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Three weeks of continuous treatment decreased the types I and III collagen propeptides in suction blister fluid by 89% and 82%, respectively, while intermittent treatment resulted in a corresponding decrease of 53% and 50%. ISH studies from skin biopsies showed type I collagen mRNA to be markedly reduced in fibroblasts after continuous and intermittent steroid treatment. After a 2-week drug-free interval, the synthesis rate was completely restored in both areas, and some subjects even showed upregulation of synthesis in previously steroid-treated skin. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous hydrocortisone for 3 weeks markedly decreases collagen propeptides and corresponding mRNA in human skin. Intermittent hydrocortisone has a less marked effect on the collagen synthesis rate.
Authors: Ashley M Lato; Susan J Burke; Maggie P Ducote; Brandon J Kennedy; J Jason Collier; Shawn R Campagna Journal: ACS Med Chem Lett Date: 2022-08-22 Impact factor: 4.632
Authors: Ana Tiganescu; Abd A Tahrani; Stuart A Morgan; Marcela Otranto; Alexis Desmoulière; Lianne Abrahams; Zaki Hassan-Smith; Elizabeth A Walker; Elizabeth H Rabbitt; Mark S Cooper; Kurt Amrein; Gareth G Lavery; Paul M Stewart Journal: J Clin Invest Date: 2013-06-03 Impact factor: 14.808
Authors: R A Ajjan; E M A Hensor; F Del Galdo; K Shams; A Abbas; R J Fairclough; L Webber; L Pegg; A Freeman; A E Taylor; W Arlt; A W Morgan; A A Tahrani; P M Stewart; D A Russell; A Tiganescu Journal: Eur J Endocrinol Date: 2022-02-28 Impact factor: 6.664