Differential irritant skin responses to tandem application of topical retinoic acid and sodium lauryl sulphate: II. Effect of time between first and second exposure.

Abstract

In clinical practice, the cutaneous exposure to chemical irritants such as surfactants and topical drugs is frequent. Topical all-trans retinoic acid (RA) is often associated with irritation and induces epidermal changes similar to those produced by sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Using bioengineering techniques, e.g. assessing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), capacitance and chromametry, we investigated the variations of the skin response to SLS and RA and to both chemicals applied sequentially, allowing different time periods (from 1 h to 2 weeks) between applications of SLS and RA. Both chemicals caused irritation as assessed by visual scoring, but the values from the objective variables differed at different time periods. TEWL increased dramatically shortly after applying SLS but the increase was delayed after RA. After applying SLS, the capacitance generally decreased then returned to basal values; treatment with RA produced an overall increase. Only the results from chromametry were similar. After tandem application, the drugs were synergistic for all variables except capacitance, showing an antagonistic interaction for skin hydration. These results suggest that non-specific skin irritation profoundly reflects different mechanisms of action at tissue level. With sequential application, SLS injury modified the response to RA for at least 1 week after applying SLS. These late effects of detergents should be considered when studying irritant chemical interactions and in developing strategies for the management of occupational and other irritant dermatitis.

• Authors: S I Ale, J P Laugier, H I Maibach
• Journal: The British journal of dermatology (Br J Dermatol) Vol. 137 Issue 2 Pg. 226-33 (Aug 1997) ISSN: 0007-0963 [Print] England
• PMID: 9292071 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Keratolytic Agents
• Surface-Active Agents
• Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
• Tretinoin

Topics

• Adult
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Eruptions (etiology)
• Drug Interactions
• Erythema (chemically induced)
• Female
• Galvanic Skin Response (drug effects)
• Humans
• Keratolytic Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Male
• Patch Tests
• Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Surface-Active Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Tretinoin (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Water Loss, Insensible (drug effects)