Topical Cortiostkroids—an Experimental Evaluation of the Vasoconstrictor Test as an Indkx of Anti-Inflammatory Activity

SUMMARY. —A tripartite investigation is reported in which the vasoconstrictor properties of triamcinolone, fluocinolone and hydrocortisone ointments were compared with their clinical effectiveness in the treatment of eczema. Dimethylacetamide (D.M.A.) was chosen as the universal base, after its use had been shown experimentally to be associated with more vasoconstriction than other bases tested In particular, the vasoconstrictor activity of hydrocortisone in D.M.A. approached that of triamcinolone and fluocinolone. In the clinical trial it was shown that in the concentrations used fluocinolone was slightly more effective than hydrocortisone, but many “equal results” were obtained and this has been attributed to the use of a highly efficient base. The results of the clinical trial suggest that the vasoconstrictor test is a useful measure of anti‐inflammatory activity. It is suggested that more effective use could be made of certain topical steroids by using better bases.