Evaluation of Atrophy Production and Vasoconstrictor Potency in Humans Following Intradermally Injected Corticosteroids**From the Department of Dermatology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, 33136

We have used intradermal injections of corticosteroids into normal and ultraviolet light (UVL)-induced inflamed human skin to evaluate the inherent atrophy producing potential as well as the vasoconstrictor potency of selected compounds. Two corticosteroids, desonide and triamcinolone acetonide, which differ only by the presence of a fluorine atom, exhibited similar vasoconstrictor potency but only the fluorine containing steroid produced severe persistent atrophy. Hydrocortisone 17-valerate and desonide produced a mild, transient atrophy while hydrocortisone produced none. Triamcinolone acetonide and desonide were more effective than hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone 17-valerate in producing vasocontriction in this model system of inflammation. The production of atrophy always greater in the UVL-induced inflamed skin than in normal control skin.