topterone and Acne-Vulgaris

The critical role that androgens play in the etiology of acne has led to a search for topically active antiandrogens and the frequent use of the flank organ of the golden Syrian hamster as an animal model. 17-alpha-propyltestosterone (17-PT) has been identified as having potent antiandrogenic activity in the hamster model, and this report describes its clinical evaluation. Two double-blind placebo controlled studies comparing 4% 17-PT in 80% alcohol versus vehicle alone were conducted. One study examined 17-PT sebosuppressive activity in 20 subjects. The second study examined its efficacy in 44 subjects having mild to moderate acne. A third study measured in vitro percutaneous absorption of 17-PT through hamster flank and monkey skin, and human face skin in-vivo, using radioactive drug. 17-PT was found to be ineffective in reducing either the sebum excretion rate or the number of inflammatory acne lesions. Failure of 17-PT to show clinical activity was not a result of poor percutaneous absorption. Total absorption in man was 7.7% of the dose and only 1.0% in the hamster. The sebaceous gland of hamster flank organ is apparently more sensitive to antiandrogens than the human sebaceous gland.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Adult; Androgen Antagonists; Animals; Carbon Radioisotopes; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cricetinae; Disease Models, Animal; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Macaca; Male; Mesocricetus; Random Allocation; Sebaceous Glands; Sebum; Skin Absorption; Testosterone

17 alpha Propyltestosterone produced a mean inhibition of sebum excretion of 20% when it was applied topically for four weeks to the forehead skin of patients with acne.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Sebum; Testosterone