[Treatment of psoriasis using vitamin A, vitamin A acid and oral retinoids]

Abstract

Vitamin A, Vitamin A acid (retinoic acid) and their synthetic derivatives were variously applied in the management of psoriasis with different therapeutic results. Obviously, they influence the proliferation rate and the differentiation of human keratinizing epithelia and have beneficial effects on skin diseases with disturbances of keratinization, including psoriasis. Systemic application of Vitamin A has been yet largely abandonned since high dosages leading to clearing develop evident systemic toxicity. The anti-psoriatic effect of Vitamin A acid is either moderate or restricted, because of side effects. Only its combined local application with topical corticosteroids may be considered. Oral application of newly synthesized retinoids, however, was beneficial in psoriasis, particularly in erythrodermic or pustular types. With this group of retinoids new pathways were opened in dermatotherapy which may help to replace cytostatic drugs in these cases. Additionally, oral retinoid treatment may be introduced as an adjuvans in the management of widespread psoriasis, in order to enhance the effect of anthralin, PUVA or UVB treatments.