Skip to main content
Log in

Dose-response relationship of topically applied methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) in healthy volunteers

  • Originals
  • Published:
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Topical glucocorticosteroids are useful in the treatment of various skin diseases. Although many corticosteroids are available today, there is still a need for highly potent compounds with minimal adverse effects.

Methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) has recently been synthesized. Its activity has been evaluated using the vasoconstrictor assay and the poison ivy test (rhus dermatitis) in 19/20 healthy volunteers of either sex. Comparable blanching was found with MPA in a cream vehicle, in an ointment and a fatty ointment.

Vasoconstriction and suppression of experimentallyinduced poison ivy contact dermatitis were dose-dependent in the concentration range 0.01% to 0.5% MPA. Concentrations of MPA of at least 0.05% were significantly active. Following the highest dose, blanching was close to the maximum which can be obtained.

This finding, and the improvement of rhus dermatitis, suggest that MPA belongs to the highly potent local glucocorticosteroids.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Robertson DB, Maibach HI (1983) Topical Corticosteroids. Sem Dermatol 2: 238–249

    Google Scholar 

  2. Stoughton RB, Cornell RC (1988) Topical corticosteroids in dermatology. In: Christophers E, Schöpf E, Kligman AM, Stoughton RB (eds) Topical corticosteroid therapy. A novel approach to safer drugs. Raven, New York, pp 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  3. Stoughton RB, Cornell RC (1987) Review of super-potent topical corticosteroids. Sem Dermatol 6: 72–76

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bodor N (1988) The application of the soft drug approaches to the design of safer corticosteroids. In: Christophers E, Schöpf E, Kligman AM, Stoughton RB (eds) Topical corticosteroid therapy. a novel approach of safer drugs. Raven, New York, pp 13–25

    Google Scholar 

  5. Stevanovic DV, Wilson L, Sparkes CG (1977) A separation of clinical from epidermal thinning effect in the topical glucocorticoid clobetasone butyrate. Br J Dermatol 96: 67–70

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. McKenzie AW, Stoughton RB (1962) Method for comparing percutaneous absorption of steroids. Arch Dermatol 86: 608–610

    Google Scholar 

  7. McKenzie AW (1962) Percutaneous absorption of steroids. Arch Dermatol 86: 611–614

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kaidbey KH, Kligman AM (1976) Assay of topical corticosteroids. Arch Dermatol 112: 808–810

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Cornell RC, Stoughton RB (1985) Correlation of the vasoconstrictor assay and clinical activity in psoriasis. Arch Dermatol 121: 63–67

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Barry BW, Woodford R (1976) Proprietary hydrocortisone creams. Vasoconstrictor activities and bio-availabilities of six preparations. Br J Dermatol 95: 423–425

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Barry BW, Woodford R (1974) Comparative bio-availability of proprietary topical corticosteroid preparations; vasoconstrictor assays on thirty creams and gels. Br J Dermatol 91: 323–338

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Wilson L (1976) The clinical assessment of topical corticosteroid activity. Br J Dermatol 94 (Suppl 12): 33–42

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kecskés, A., Jahn, P., Wendt, H. et al. Dose-response relationship of topically applied methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 43, 157–159 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01740663

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01740663

Key words

Navigation