Prednicarbate versus conventional topical glucocorticoids:: Pharmacodynamic characterization in vitro

Purpose. Pharmacodynamic characterization of topical glucocorticoids as prednicarbate (PC), its metabolites prednisolone 17-ethylcarbonate (PEC) and prednisolone (PD), betamethasone 17-valerate (BMV), betamethasone;one (BM) and desoximetasone (DM) by evaluating their effects on epidermal and dermal cells. Synopsis of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies, possibly explaining the improved benefit-risk ratio of prednicarbate. Methods. Isolated foreskin keratinocytes were used to investigate the influence on epidermal inflammatory processes, dermal fibroblasts of the same origin to study antiproliferative activities of glucocorticoids. Interleukins were measured by ELISA-assay, the influence on II-1 alpha-production also on mRNA-level by RNAse protection assay. Proliferation was assessed by H-3 thymidine incorporation and biodegradation1 by HPLC/UV-absorption. Cell viability was controlled by MTT assay. Results. In keratinocytes, inflammation was induced by TNF alpha, resulting in an increased II-1 alpha synthesis. This cytokine was particularly suppressed by PC and BMV, whereas PEG, PD, DM and BM were less patent (p less than or equal to 0.05). Since, however, the double ester PC is rapidly degraded in keratinocytes, a RNAse-protection assay of II-1 alpha mRNA was performed allowing short incubation times and thus minimizing biodegradation effects. In agreement with the previous experiment, the antiinflammatory potency of native PC was confirmed. In fibroblasts, II-1 alpha and II-6 synthesis indicate proliferation and inflammation respectively. Whereas PC inhibited II-1 alpha and II-6 production in fibroblasts to a minor extent only, it was strongly reduced by the conventional glucocorticoids and PEC (p less than or equal to 0.05). The minor unwanted effect of PC on fibroblasts was also reflected by its low influence on cell proliferation as assayed by H-3 thymidine incorporation. More pronounced antiproliferative features were observed with BM, PEC and especially BMV., Conclusions. Correlating antiphlogistic effects in keratinocytes (suppression of II-1 alpha) with antiproliferative effects in fibroblasts (suppression of II-1 alpha and II-6), the improved benefit-risk ratio of PC compared to conventional glucocorticoids does not result only from distinct drug metabolism in the skin but also from a specific influence on the cytokine network.