Calcipotriol counteracts betamethasone-induced decrease in extracellular matrix components related to skin atrophy

Arch Dermatol Res. 2014 Oct;306(8):719-29. doi: 10.1007/s00403-014-1485-3. Epub 2014 Jul 16.

Abstract

The calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate fixed-combination gel is widely used for topical treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. It has been hypothesized that calcipotriol counteracts glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy which is associated with changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). To elucidate the combined effects of calcipotriol and betamethasone on key ECM components, a comparative study to the respective mono-treatments was carried out. The effect on collagen I synthesis, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion, and hyaluronic acid (HA) production was investigated in primary human fibroblast and keratinocyte cultures as well as in a human skin explant model. We show that calcipotriol counteracts betamethasone-induced suppression of collagen I synthesis. Similarly, calcipotriol and betamethasone have opposing effects on MMP expression in both fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Moreover, calcipotriol is able to restore betamethasone-impaired HA synthesis in keratinocytes and prevent betamethasone-induced epidermal thinning in minipigs upon treatment with the calcipotriol/betamethasone gel. In summary, our results show for the first time in primary human skin cultures that calcipotriol reduces early signs of betamethasone-induced skin atrophy by modulation of key ECM components. These results indicate that the calcipotriol component of the fixed-combination gel counteracts the atrophogenic effects of betamethasone on the skin.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects*
  • Atrophy / etiology
  • Atrophy / prevention & control
  • Betamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Betamethasone / adverse effects*
  • Calcitriol / administration & dosage
  • Calcitriol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Interactions
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects*
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / drug effects*
  • Keratinocytes / pathology
  • Organ Culture Techniques
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Swine
  • Swine, Miniature

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • calcipotriene
  • Betamethasone
  • Calcitriol