The Resorption of Sodium Dilantin-produced Dermial

Dilantin has long been known to result in hyperplasia of the gingiva (1) and to increase the tensile strength of rat skin (2). We have shown that daily intraperitoneal injections of 25 mg of Dilantin resulted in marked increases in the insoluble collagen, hexosamine, and insoluble noncollagenous protein (scleroprotein) content of rat skin (3). Four daily doses of the drug were sufficient to significantly increase both the total and the insoluble collagen and nitrogen concentrations in the skin. Maximal increases in these components were obtained after ten doses of Dilantin. This paper describes the changes in the dermal concentrations of these materials at various periods of time after the conclusion of either four or ten daily doses of this drug in rats.