Abstract
Mechanism of the action of azelaic cid in the treatment of acne The physiopathologic mechanism of acne seems to be dependent on four main factors: a) sebum production and excretion; b) type of keratiniation of the follicular channel; c) microbial colonization of the pilosebaceous unit and d) inflammatory reaction of the perifollicular area. Azelaic acid is effective in the treatment of acne because it possesses an activity against all of these factors. Azelaic acid is a competitive inhibitor of mitochondrial oxydoreductases and of 5 alpha-reductase, inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to 5-dehydroteststerone. It also possesses bacteriostatic activity to both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria includ- ing Propionibacterium acnes. Azelaic acid is an antikeratinizing agent, displaying antiproliferative cytostatic effects on keratinocytes and modulating the and terminal phases of epidemal differentiation.
| Translated title of the contribution | Mechanism of the action of azelaic acid in the treatment of acne |
|---|---|
| Original language | Italian |
| Pages (from-to) | 455-463 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia |
| Volume | 124 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| Publication status | Published - 1989 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology