TRATTAMENTO DELL'ACNE VOLGARE MEDIANTE APPLICAZIONI LOCALI DI ALGESTONE ACETOFENIDE

The role of androgens in acne vulgaris is well established; these steroids, in fact, highly stimulate the sebaceous glands. In this mechanism, a key function is performed by 5α-hidroxy-steroid reductase, an enzyme which transforms the blood borne testosterone in 5α-dihydrotestosterone, the active target hormone. Hormonal treatment of acne vulgaris is therefore possible through inhibition of the 5α reductase by suitable steroid molecules (progesterone, androstenedione, deoxycorticosterone, etc.) Among these steroids, progesterone is the most active and is a safe substrate. The authors, therefore, have performed a clinical and metabolic study in acne patients to compare progesterone activity with that of its derivative dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide, (algestone acetophenide). After 40 days of dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide on the interscapular region of two volunteers, the biochemical analysis showed a remarkable inhibition of the 5α reduction of testosterone. The clinical trial on 31 patients showed at its completion that the 8 patients affected by acne vulgaris were all cured, while a high percentage (11/23) of the 23 patients affected by pustular acne were cured or highly improved. No adverse reactions locally or in general have been observed.