Studies on the Percutaneous Absorption of Fludrocortisone

Percutaneous Absorption

“…Polar groups: in general, the pres¬ ence of polar groups on a molecule impairs its transepidermal trans¬ port since electrical charges on the diffusing molecule may interact with those along the diffusion pathway. 15. Electrical impedance: electrical re¬ sistance and impedance on the skin reside almost entirely within the stratum corneum.…”

Comparative Efficacy of Topical Anti-inflammatory Corticosteroids

“…None of these investigators observed any untoward systemic symptoms when the topical preparations were applied from two to four times daily for periods ranging from a few weeks to several months. However, both Livingood (138) and Fitzpatrick (139) demonstrated sufficient percutaneous absorption, particularly from the above concentrations of 9afluorohydrocortisone 21-acetate in lotion form, to induce obvious states of clinical edema. More definitive studies by these investigators indicated that appreciable sodium retention occurred, as judged from weight gain and urinary excretion values.…”

Steroid Therapy in Skin Disorders

“…(1) inhibition of delayed allergic reactions; (2) in vitro inhibition of proteolytic epidermolysis; (3) inhibition of leukotoxin activity; (4) decrease in biological response to tuberculin, lepromin, iodiomycin, poison ivy antigen, histamine, Frei antigen, and Ducrey antigen; (5) atrophy of sebaceous glands (rat); (6) increased incidence of experimentally induced tumors (mice); (7) decrease in mitotic activity of the epidermis; (8) decrease in Shwartzman reaction; (9) suppression of anaphylaxis; (10) antipyretic activity; and (11) depression of the basic inflammatory response, i. e., decrease in vasodilatation, stickiness of cells to vessel wall, diapedesis, and exúdate. Despite such fundamental observations and the phenomenal versatility of steroids in altering physiological functions, there is no solid base for explaining the mechanism of action of steroids in skin diseases.…”