Effect of five anti-inflammatory steroids on collagen and glycoaminoglycan synthessis in vitro

Abstract

New derivatives of hydrocortisone with higher antiinflammatory potency are constantly being developed. To guide the clinician in the selection of steroids for therapy, the antiinflammatory potencies of the steroid molecules and their topical formulations need to be evaluated. Efforts must be made to assess those steroid effects which are considered to be unwanted side-effects, e.g., skin thinning, telangiectasia, etc. These are due, in part, to decreased synthesis of the extracellular matrix components, e.g., collagen and glycosaminoglycans. The effect of 5 antiinflammatory corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone 17-butyrate, betamethasone 17-valerate, nicocortonide acetate and nicocortonide) on the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, sulfated glycosaminoglycans and collagen by cultured human skin fibroblasts was studied. As inhibitors, the steroids could be arranged in the order: hydrocortisone < hydrocortisone 17-butyrate < betamethasone 17-valerate, nicocortonide acetate and nicocortonide. The corticosteroid concentrations required for inhibition of hyaluronic acid were low compared to those required for inhibition of sulfated glycosaminoglycan and collagen synthesis. In the present study we have compared the ability of 5 anti-inflammatory steroids to affect connective tissue by measuring their effects on collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in human skin fibroblast cultures.