Action of topical thyroid hormone analogue, triiodothyroacetic acid in reversing glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy in humans.

The present study concerns the effect of topical treatment with a cream formulation of triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) in comparison with a placebo preparation in producing a reversal of skin atrophy induced by long-term employment of topical glucocorticoid therapy in humans. A total of 39 patients with clinically verified skin atrophy due to long-term use of topical potent glucocorticoids were randomized. The changes in skin thickness, elastic fibers, and hyaluronic acid were evaluated by means of sonography and histology. After 8 weeks' treatment, the skin thickness measured by sonography increased by 16% in the epidermis, 8% in the dermis, and epidermis + dermis in the placebo group. In the TRIAC 0.1% group, the corresponding values were 24% ( p=0.063) in the epidermis, 28% ( p=0.042) in the dermis, and 25% ( p=0.039) in the epidermis + dermis. After 8 weeks, in the placebo group, the skin thickness measured by biopsy increased by 5% in the epidermis, epidermis + dermis, and 6% in the dermis. In the TRIAC 0.1% group, the corresponding values were 31% ( p=0.041) in the epidermis, 46% ( p=0.041) in the dermis and 44% ( p=0.043) in the epidermis + dermis. After 8 weeks, the elastic fibers of moderately irregular and thickened fibers increased by 56% in the placebo group and 100% ( p=0.043) in the TRIAC 0.1 group. This study indicates that topical treatment with TRIAC appears to reverse glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy under the narrow conditions tested.