Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Cosmetic – antiperspirant – dentifrice
Patent
1992-03-06
1995-11-21
Bleutge, John C.
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Cosmetic, antiperspirant, dentifrice
514559, 514725, A61K 700, A61K 3107
Patent
active
054684951
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to methods of preventing and/or reducing the size of lesions of striae distensae. More particularly, the invention is directed to a method of preventing the formation of stride albae and a method of reducing the size of lesions of both striae albae and striae rubrae.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Striae distensae are very common lesions. They are present in most healthy adult women, having originated either during puberty or at the time of the first pregnancy. Stretching of the skin, as in rapid weight gain, or mechanical stress, as in weight lifting, often precedes their development. About 50 percent of pregnant women will develop these lesions, often referred to as stretch marks, on thighs, abdomen and breasts, starting at about 3 to 4 months of gestation. However, such lesions are also noted in cachectic states, for example in tuberculosis and typhoid fever, and they have also been noted after intense slimming diets.
The pathogenesis of stride distensae lesions is unclear. Some pregnant women do not develop the lesions; lesions have not been produced experimentally, and there is no animal model.
Clinicians are aware that striae distensae evolve over time passing through an early phase of inflammation (striae rubrae) and ending in the typical white stretch mark (striae albae). The striae rubrae are red, slightly elevated, linear lesions that may be tender. Later, the lesions flatten and the redness fades, leaving a permanent, wavy depression, which is the striae albae. The striae albae lesions may be 5 to 15 mm wide, depressed with a crinkly surface. These are the stretch marks which last for life, since to date there has been no known treatment.
The histopathology of striae, which always have the same appearance regardless of cause, has generated much dispute. However, P. Zheng, et al., "Anatomy of Striae," British Journal of Dermatology, 112:185-193 (1985) present evidence that striae albae are true scars resulting from an earlier inflammatory process that destroys elastic fibers. They are not formed by stress-induced rupture of the dermal fibrous network.
Retinoids, particularly retinoic acid, have been previously applied topically to the skin for the treatment of many skin disorders. See, for example the review of Thomas et al., "The Therapeutic Uses of Topical Vitamin A Acid," Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 4:505-513 (1981). It is known that tretinoin has an anti-inflammatory action useful in ameliorating chronic dermatoses such as psoriasis and lichen planus.
According to my U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,603,146; 4,877,805 and 4,888,342, topical retinoids have been effective to stimulate formation of new collagen fibers, generate new blood vessels, correct abnormalities in elastic fibers, and eliminate neoplastic growths in chronically sundamaged skin. Retinoic acid is used world-wide to retard and reverse photodamage from excessive exposure to ultra-violet radiation in sunlight.
The literature also reports the improvement of post-ache, elevated, hypertrophic scars of the back with topical retinoic acid. These hypertrophic scars have a very different origin, following severe cystic lesions, resulting in a high increase in collagen. In striae distensae the opposite happens; there is loss of collagen with atrophic scarring.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, it has been found that striae distensae lesions may be prevented and reduced in size by applying a retinoid, preferably tretinoin, topically to the area of the skin affected or likely to be affected with the lesions. The retinoid is applied in a dermatologically acceptable vehicle, such as a cream base, preferably in a concentration of about 0.025 to 0.1 weight percent in the case of tretinoin, generally by daily application. When applied in the striae rubrae stage, the retinoid prevents or reduces the formation of striae albae. When applied in the striae albae stage, the scars become less noticeable, less wrinkled, and softer, though the lesions do
REFERENCES:
patent: 4603146 (1986-07-01), Kligman
patent: 4888342 (1989-12-01), Kligman
patent: 4889847 (1989-12-01), Kligman
patent: 5051449 (1991-09-01), Kligman
patent: 5093360 (1992-03-01), Yu et al.
patent: 5134163 (1992-07-01), Kligman
Schreuder, Johannes C. P., Chemical Abstracts 106:125892f (1987), p. 399.
Communication from Examiner, European Patent Office, Feb. 17, 1992, two pages.
Official Letter from National Bureau of Standards, Taiwan, Jan. 14, 1991 (English--translation--one page), Taiwan Patent Application No. 79107674.
Notification of Transmittal of International Preliminary Examination Report, International Applic. No. PCT/US90/04939, mailed Jul. 24, 1991, (7 pages).
Bleutge John C.
Hulina Amy
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