Topical all-trans-retinoic acid prevents corticosteroid-induced skin atrophy without abrogating the anti-inflammatory effect.

We tested the ability of all-trans-retinoic acid to prevent corticosteroid-induced skin atrophy without lessening the anti-inflammatory effect of the steroids. Histologic study and skin-fold thickness in hairless mice treated topically with various steroids, followed by topical all-trans-retinoic acid, were used to measure prevention of atrophy. By both assessments, all-trans-retinoic acid prevented atrophy. Noninterference with the anti-inflammatory property of steroids was tested in a phorbol ester-induced mouse ear edema model and by histologic assessment of croton oil-induced inflammation of mouse dermis. We found that all-trans-retinoic acid did not interfere with steroid suppression of either edema or dermal inflammation. Thus all-trans-retinoic acid was effective in preventing steroid-induced atrophy without affecting the steroid's anti-inflammatory property.