Glucocorticoid and Sex Hormone Receptors: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Relevance

The document from 2007 explores the impact of glucocorticoids and sex hormones on skin health, detailing their molecular actions and clinical implications. Glucocorticoids, while useful as anti-inflammatory agents in dermatology, can cause adverse effects like skin atrophy and systemic issues with long-term use. These effects are mediated through glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors, with the development of selective agonists and antagonists aimed at reducing side effects. The document also examines androgens and estrogens, which act through androgen and estrogen receptors, respectively, affecting skin and hair. Androgens can lead to conditions like acne and androgenetic alopecia, with treatments including anti-androgens and a novel antiandrogen, RU 58,841, in phase II trials. Estrogens, acting through ER-α and ER-β, can improve skin collagen and thickness and may aid in wound healing, with topical estradiol used for androgenetic alopecia in women. The complexity of hormone actions on the skin is emphasized, with a call for further research to develop targeted treatments for skin diseases.