The influence of vitamin A on the epidermis

Abstract

TWELVE FIQURESSabella, Bern and Kahn ( '51) demonstrated that vitamin A dissolved in sesame oil, applied topically to the dorsal epidermis of castrated mature feimale rats f o r 10 days, resulted in a significant increase in thickness of the whole epidermis (less the stratum corneum) and of the stratum granulosum alone over both that of sesame oil-treated and of untreated controls. Effects on the stratum corneum were indicated, including occasional parakeratosis, but were not possible to quantify. It was concluded that topical vitamin A application resulted in acanthosis and that there was some evidence for interference with the normal keratinization process. Estrogen did not affect the epidermal picture when topically administered alone for the same period of time, nor did it alter the response to vitamin A when administered silmultaneously with the latter.These results are similar t o those obtained by Swiss investigators (Studer and Frey, '49, '52; Studer, '53) who administered large quantities of the vitamin orally and topically to very young rats. However, they ('49) reported a maximal effect after 11-13 days of oral treatment and a regression to the normal thickness, despite continuation of treatment, after an additional 10 days. I n addition to these studies, vitamin A has been shown to interfere with estrogen-induced vaginal '

The Effect of Excess Vitamin a on the Embryonic Rat Oesophagus in Culture

“…I t also delays or inhibits the oestrogen-induced keratinisation in cultures of rat and mouse vagina (Kahn, 1954;Lasnitzki, 1961). The effect on skin seems to be species-dependent; thus topical application of the vitamin induced a hypertrophy of mouse and rat epidermis but failed to influence keratinisation (Bern et al, 1955;Lawrence and Bern, 1958).…”

Langerhans Cells in Murine Vaginal Epithelium Affected by Oestrogen and Topical Vitamin A

“…150 IU vita min A daily, has no different effect than the oil vehicle. However, as vitamin A is known to produce epithelial hyperplasia in vivo [Bern et al, 1955] and in vitro [Lasnitzki, 1961], the hyperplasia found in this experimental group was explicable and provided a further useful vari able with respect to the Langerhans cell population.…”

Epithelial Atypia in the Hamster Cheek Pouch, Induced by Topical Application of Vitamin A

“…These changes included decreased keratinization, mucoid metaplasia, epithelial hyperplasia, disorientation of the basal layer, and increased mitoses (Bern et al, 1955;J ackson and F e l l , 1963; L a w r en c e and Ber n , 1958 and1960;R eiss and C am pbell, 1954;Rothberg , 1967).…”