[Influence of oral retinoid on the cell kinetic of normal human epidermis (author's transl)].

In 21 healthy volunteers (18-48 years old) autoradiographic studies were performed before, 3 and 7 days after oral administration of aromatic retinoid Ro 10-9359 (75 mg/d) and after oral intake of placebo. After retinoid the 3H-thymidine labelling index was significantly increased, whereas the DNA synthesis time and the cell cycle time were decreased. After placebo no change in epidermal cell kinetic parameters were registered. These findings indicate that therapeutic doses of oral aromatic retinoid clearly stimulate epidermal cell proliferation in normal human epidermis.