THE EFFECT OF SUBSTITUTED NAPHTHALENES ON THE PILOSEBACEOUS APPARATUS OF RABBIT AND MAN

[摘要] The effect of Halowax 1014 or one of its components, hexachloro-naphthalene following topical application on the pilosebaceous structure of rabbit and man appears to be a specific one. The fact that this effect occurred only following the foregoing and did not occur when large concentrations of simple chlorinated naphthalene compounds containing comparable amounts of chlorine were applied remain unexplained. The. effect consists of stimulation of the epithelium of the outer root sheath and sebaceous gland ducts and a diminution of sebaceous gland tissue to a striking degree. Distension and dilatation of the follicular infundib-ulum to various degrees and shapes by the resultant keratin mass (comedo) follows. Pustule formation, superficial or deep, was an uncommon late sequel. Evidence that the sebaceous gland loss is not dependent on lysis or necrosis of the cells but on a lack of ability of the cells of the outer root sheath, sebaceous gland duct and acinus to further differentiate into sebaceous cells has been presented. Other halide-substituted naphthalene compounds tested were not capable of producing a similar reaction in rabbit or man. In high concentrations these compounds resulted in inflammation without follicular accentuation or sebaceous gland loss in the skin of the rabbit''s ear; no reaction occurred in the skin of man. Administration of vitamin A in high dosage to man or rabbit preceding topical application of highly chlorinated naphthalene did not result in any amelioration of the effect. In the rabbit, testosterone did not result in any accentuation of follicular-hyper-keratosis or lessening of sebaceous gland diminution. Likewise, estrogen or cortisone failed to influence the reaction pattern.