The lack of effect of 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone on the flank-organ and ear sebaceous glands of adult male Syrian golden hamsters.

Abstract

Progesterone and its derivatives exert their antiandrogenic action by competing with testosterone for the active site of the 5c~-reductase enzyme [1-3]. The potential clinical value of this class of steroidal compounds in the treatment of androgen-related cutaneous disorders is well recognized. Byrnes et al. [4] showed 30 years ago that 11c~-hydroxyprogesterone (11 c~OHP), a synthetic derivative of progesterone, possesses antiandrogenic activity with minimal estrogenic and progestational side effects. Recently, Tamm et al. [5] claimed that 11 ~-OHP significantly reduces sebum production in men and women after 2 weeks of topical therapy. In order to confirm their results, we tested the effects of 11 c~-OHP on the flank-organ and ear sebaceous glands of adult male Syrian golden hamsters. These structures are considered to be reliable bioassay systems for the study of topically applied androgens and antiandrogens [ 6 9]. The materials and the methods used in this report have been previously described in more detail [10]. Progesterone and llc~-OHP (Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) were dissolved in acetone at a concentration of 2.5 %. Fifty microliters of each solution was applied daily (except weekends) on the right flank organ, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. This regimen corresponded to a topical dose of 2.5 rag/day for a total of 4 weeks (Experiment 1). Control animals received topical applications of 50 #1 of acetone alone. Table 1 (Experiment 1) demonstrates that l l e O H P did not show any effects. In contrast, progesterone showed a 40 % reduction in the area of flank-organ pigmentation.