[Effects of the aromatic retinoid Ro 10-9359 and of 13-cis retinoic acid Ro 4-3780 on the size of sebaceous glands in the Syrian hamster].

An aromatic retinoid (Ro 10-9359) in 13-cis retinoic acid (Ro 4-3780) were fed by gastric tube to 170 male adult Syrian hamsters daily for 30 days. A low dose of 1 or 2 mg/kg and a high dose of 20 mg/kg body weight were selected. The effects of both retinoids on the sebaceous glands were assessed planimetrically (15 glands in each animal) using the sebaceous follicle on the ventral side of the earlobes or, in some experiments, the flank organ. Depending on time, the high dose of 20 mg/kg of both retinoids led to a significant diminution of sebaceous follicles from 0.0295 to 0.0125 mm2 (P less than or equal to 0.0005). Clinically, the fur of the animals became very rough and dry. The lower dose of 1 or 2 mg/kg of neither the aromatic retinoid nor the 13-cis retinoic acid led to a significant reduction of sebaceous acini. The fur remained clinically shiny and greasy. The different effects of both compounds in this animal model compared to the human is discussed.