We explored the effects of vitamin D and its analogs on acne, primarily focusing on their ability to reduce the size of comedones (or acne lesions) in a rhino mouse model. This study evaluated the active form of vitamin D, known as 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), along with several modified analogs.
All analogs tested, including the natural hormone, increased the thickness of skin. However, only a particular group of analogs without a full side chain and 25-hydroxyl group were effective in actually reducing comedone size. Notably, this reduction in acne did not negatively impact serum calcium levels, which is a common concern with vitamin D treatments.
Interestingly, while all compounds featuring a side chain of 2 to 5 carbons worked similarly in terms of comedolytic activity, longer chains tended to increase calcemic risk. Moreover, our findings indicated that increasing the epidermal thickness required a lower dose compared to what was needed for comedolysis. This identifies a distinct set of vitamin D analogs that can help manage acne without the side effects of hypercalcemia.
Overall, we highlighted how certain vitamin D analogs can combat acne effectively while minimizing potential risks related to calcium levels.