Topical and systemic effects of retinoids on horn-filled utriculus size in the rhino mouse. A model to quantify 'antikeratinizing' effects of retinoids

Abstract

A method was developed to quantify the 'antikeratinizing' effects of various retinoids (all-trans-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid, motretinide, etretinate) in rhino mouse skin, which contains many keratinized pilosebaceous structures or horn-filled utriculi. Mean utriculus diameters in whole mount epidermis were determined and dose-response relationships were constructed after topical or oral administration of test retinoids. All-trans-retinoic acid was 3.7x, 12.5x, and 50x more potent than 13-cis-retinoic acid, etretinate, and motretinide, respectively, after topical administration. Administration orally, all-trans-retinoic acid was 2.3x more potent than 13-cis-retinoic acid. At 5 mg/kg, each retinoid produced a significant reduction in utriculus size. The rhino mouse model represents a novel and useful assay to quantify antikeratinizing activity and potency differences of biologically active retinoids.