New developments in corticosteroid research

Abstract
Steroid atrophy was induced in the skin of rats. The skin-breaking strength was selected as the prognostic parameter for corticosteroid-induced atrophy. The atrophogenic and anti-inflammatory potential of three corticosteroids were compared. Methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA), a new corticosteroid, showed strong anti-inflammatory but weak atrophogenic activity. It is speculated that the dissociation of local effects is due to specific pharmacokinetic properties of MPA — high lipophilicity and activation of the drug in the skin.