Effect of a new topically active antiandrogen (RU 38882) on the rat sebaceous gland: comparison with cyproterone...

RU 38882 is a new antiandrogen. When given by subcutaneous or oral route, RU 38882 is about 25 times less potent than cyproterone acetate. However, when applied topically to the intact rat skin, RU 38882 (0.25-25 mg/rat/day for 5 days or 3 weeks) decreases, in a dose-related manner, the volume density of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum vesicles of the differentiating cells of the sebaceous gland, a structure directly involved in sebum lipid synthesis. Under these conditions RU 38882 is about 100 times more potent than cyproterone acetate and unlike cyproterone acetate, does not modify the prostate weight. The lack of efficacy of cyproterone acetate on the sebaceous gland could be due to its partial androgenic activity while RU 38882, under these conditions, acts as a pure antiandrogen which inhibits the nuclear androgen-receptor translocation.