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PubMed2004

Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne.

BACKGROUND: Acne is a common skin disorder among women. Although no uniform approach to the management of acne exists, combination oral contraceptives (COCs), which contain an estrogen and a progestin, often are prescribed for women. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of COCs for the treatment of facial acne compared to placebo or other active therapies. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the computerized databases Cochrane Skin Group trial register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, POPLINE, Biological Abstracts and LILACS for randomized controlled trials of COCs and acne. We wrote to authors of identified trials to seek any unpublished or published trials that we might have missed. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomized controlled trials reported in any language that compare the effectiveness of a COC containing an estrogen and a progestin to placebo or another active therapy for acne in women were eligible. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data on total and specific (i.e. open or closed comedones, papules, pustules and nodules) facial lesion counts; acne severity grades; global assessments by the clinician or the participant and discontinuation due to adverse events. Data were entered and analyzed in RevMan 4.2. MAIN RESULTS: The search yielded five placebo-controlled trials that made three different comparisons and 14 trials that made nine comparisons between two COC regimens. An additional trial compared a COC to an antibiotic. COCs reduced acne lesion counts, severity grades and self-assessed acne compared to placebo. Differences in the comparative effectiveness of COCs containing varying progestin types and dosages, though, were less clear. COCs that contained chlormadinone acetate or cyproterone acetate improved acne better than levonorgestrel although this apparent advantage was based on limited data. A COC with cyproterone acetate might result in better acne outcomes than one with desogrestrel; however, the three studies comparing these COCs produced conflicting results. Likewise, levonorgestrel showed a slight improvement over desogestrel in acne outcomes in one trial, but a second trial found no difference between the COCs. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: The three COCs evaluated in placebo-controlled trials are effective in reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory facial acne lesions. Few differences were found in acne effectiveness between COC types. How COCs compare to alternative acne treatments is unknown since limited data were available regarding this question.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1999

The familial risk of adult acne: a comparison between first-degree relatives of affected and unaffected individuals.

Acne is principally a disorder of adolescence but persists into middle age in a small minority of individuals. There is some evidence, primarily from twin studies, to suggest that acne may be an inherited disease. We have carried out an investigation of the familial risk of persistent adult acne by studying the occurrence of this condition in first-degree relatives of patients with adult persistent acne compared with the relatives of unaffected matched controls. Two hundred and four patients over the age of 25, referred to our department with facial acne which had persisted from adolescence, were included in the study. For each patient, a detailed pedigree which included all first-degree relatives was drawn up. For all relatives over the age of 25, demographic details and the presence or absence of facial acne was recorded. One hundred and forty-four unaffected controls were recruited. These were matched with the patient group in terms of age, social class and ethnic origin. The same questions were asked of controls as of the cases, and they provided the same information on their first-degree relatives. In total, 204 acne cases and 144 non-acne control volunteers were studied, contributing 1203 and 856 first-degree relatives, respectively. Two hundred and three first-degree relatives of cases were affected with facial acne, compared with 42 first-degree relatives of volunteers. The risk of adult acne occurring in a relative of a patient with adult acne was significantly greater than for the relative of an unaffected individual (odds ratio 3.93, 95% confidence interval 2.79-5.51; P < 0.001). Our study suggests that familial factors are important in determining individual susceptibility to adult persistent facial acne. Genetic factors may determine the failure of acne-prone follicles to evolve into acne-resistant follicles in early adult life.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2004

A topical azithromycin preparation for the treatment of acne vulgaris and rosacea.

BACKGROUND: Erythromycin is a common therapy for acne and rosacea. A newer macrolide, azithromycin, offers superior tissue distribution and cellular concentration and is an effective oral anti-acne agent. Topical formulations such as erythromycin have been a major clinical therapy for acne. To date, no topical solution of azithromycin is available for the treatment of acne. OBJECTIVE: To prepare a stable topical 2% azithromycin formulation that could be used in an acne clinical trial to determine the efficacy of topical azithromycin in treating subjects with acne vulgaris and acne rosacea. METHODS: The study was divided into two phases. In phase I, azithromycin was prepared over a range of ethanol/water concentrations to determine solubility. The stability of a 2% azithromycin in 60% ethanol/water preparation was assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The temperature, light, and pH dependence of the stability was also assessed. In phase II, a single center, randomized, double-blind, treatment-controlled study compared once-nightly application of topical 2% azithromycin versus 2% erythromycin. A total of 20 subjects with moderate inflammatory acne and 20 with rosacea were examined clinically at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks for a 12-week period. Efficacy was evaluated with the Physician's Visual Analog Scale evaluation (PVAS), the papulopustule count, and acne severity rating (in subjects with acne). RESULTS: In phase I, azithromycin was soluble in 60% ethanol/water. A 2% azithromycin in 60% ethanol/water solution maintained stability at room temperature for up to 26 weeks but at 37 degrees C there was some decay (16%) at 26 weeks. The stability was greatest at pH 6.8 and was unaffected by ambient light exposure. In phase II, the number of inflammatory lesions decreased in both acne and rosacea subjects treated with 2% erythromycin (7.56, p=0.03 and 4.4, p=0.01, respectively). Azithromycin was not as effective for the treatment of rosacea. Both azithromycin (p=0.01) and erythromycin (p=0.03) treatment significantly reduced the inflammatory lesion count in acne vulgaris. No significant adverse events were identified in the acne group. In patients with rosacea, transient irritation occurred in five patients. CONCLUSIONS: A 2% azithromycin in 60% ethanol/water solution can be prepared and is stable for at least 6 months at room temperature. The methodology and power of the study were adequate to identify improvement in acne vulgaris and rosacea. Though it appears the formulation of topical azithromycin was at least comparable with topical erythromycin, larger studies would be needed to determine whether topical azithromycin has any significant advantage over topical erythromycin.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1997

Hormonal profiles and prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women with acne.

One of the important etiologic factors in acne is an increase in sebaceous gland activity, which is androgen dependent. Acne is a common manifestation of hyperandrogenemia. Therefore, acne may not only cause cosmetic concern but may also be a sign of underlying disease. In females, the most common cause of hyperandrogenemia is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The purpose of this study was to determine the hormonal profiles of women with acne and the prevalence of PCOS in women attending the dermatological clinic with acne problems. The diagnostic criteria of PCOS were clinical findings of menstrual disturbances and hyperandrogenism (acne, seborrhea, hirsutism), pelvic ultrasound imaging of PCO (multiple subcapsular ovarian cysts 2-8 mm. in diameter, with dense echogenic stroma), and an elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio. There were 51 women with acne; 20 regularly menstruating volunteers without acne served as a control group. PCOS was found in 19 out of 51 patients with acne (37.3%) and none of the control group. Twenty acne patients had abnormal menstruation (39.2%). Acne cases had higher mean levels of serum total testosterone (T), free T, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and prolactin (PRL). No statistically significant difference was observed for LH, FSH or sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Because of this high prevalence of PCOS in women with acne, all women presenting with acne should be asked about their menstrual pattern and examined for other signs of hyperandrogenemia. Hormonal profile determination as well as pelvic ultrasonography for ovarian visualization should be performed to confirm the diagnosis of PCOS in female acne patients who have menstrual disturbances.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2006

Assessing quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris: implications for treatment.

Diagnosing acne is easy. However, treatment must be adapted to the type and severity of acne, and must also take into account the impact of acne on patients' quality of life. As there is not always a correlation between the severity of acne and its impact on quality of life, it can be helpful for the dermatologist to use a quality of life scale to determine the psychological impact of acne on patients. Either global scales or specific scales for acne can be used. This article reviews the different scales used for evaluation of quality of life in patients with acne.Consideration of specific scales suggests that the Acne Disability Index/Cardiff Acne Disability Index is the easiest scale to use in routine dermatology practice. The Acne Quality of Life scale is particularly useful for evaluating anxiety and depression. The Acne-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire has been mainly validated in adult acne. The Assessment of the Psychological and Social Effects of Acne scale has yet to be validated. Clinical trials indicate that use of global and specific scales together has complementary benefits. In the management of acne, evaluation of quality of life may help to detect depression in teenagers. It may also help to enhance adherence to treatment, which is a crucial factor for success. Finally, there are now validated quality of life scales that are easy to use during patient consultations (taking <2 minutes to complete) by clinicians wishing to evaluate quality of life in patients with acne.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2000

[Prediction of the effect of a triphasic contraceptive agent with norgestimate on acne].

OBJECTIVE: Prediction of complexion changes in users of triphasic oral contraceptive containing norgestimate. DESIGN: Analysis of data from a prospective multicentre open study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Charles University, Prague. METHODS: Acne severity was evaluated in users of a triphasic norgestimate-containing contraceptive within a six month period. Based on subjective evaluation of acne, three subgroups of patients were selected: A) users where acne improved or disappeared; B) users in whom acne deteriorated, C) users who newly developed acne. Differences between group A and the other groups were established in the proportion or distribution of parameters related to the etiology of acne: age, weight, weight changes during the study, presence of hirsutism, presence of a regular menstrual cycle prior to the start of hormonal contraception use, and smoking. RESULTS: The effect of the pill use on acne was assessed in a total of 3,990 women. Out of 1,201 women with acne before the start of the study, improvement or disappearance of acne during the study was reported by 940 users (subgroup A) (78.27%). In 221 women (18.40%), the extent of acne remained unaltered whereas it increased (subgroup B) in only 30 women (2.50%). Acne newly developed during the study in 49 women (subgroup C), i.e., in 1.2% of the whole group. Users showing deterioration of acne (subgroup B) were found to have hirsutism less frequently. The subgroup even showed a decrease in mean weight during the study. Users with newly developed acne were--compared with subgroup A--significantly older, had a lower weight at the start of the study, and showed a higher frequency of regular menstrual cycles prior to starting hormonal contraception. The differences in the incidence of clinical parameters in the subgroups reached only borderline statistical significance and, hence, are not relevant. CONCLUSION: An extensive multicentric study confirmed the beneficial effect of a triphasic norgestimate-containing contraceptive on complexion. The presence of clinical parameters related to the etiology of acne does not allow to predict the individual response of the skin to hormonal therapy.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2003

Identification of Propionibacterium acnes by polymerase chain reaction for amplification of 16S ribosomal RNA and lipase genes.

Propionibacterium acnes belongs to the cutaneous flora and is present in sebaceous follicles. The fatty acids that are released from sebum triglycerides by the action of this bacterial lipase play an important role in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. P. acnes is also involved in postoperative disorders and opportunistic infections in immunosuppressed hosts. Recently, it has been proposed that P. acnes causes sarcoidosis. Therefore, rapid isolation and identification of P. acnes is important. This study evaluated the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of the 16S rRNA and lipase genes of P. acnes. The PCR used to detect the 16S rRNA gene could amplify the gene of P. acnes, but not the genes of the other tested strains of P. avidum, P. granulosum, P. lymphophilum, P. jensenii, P. acidipropionici and P. thoenii. The PCR to detect the lipase gene of P. acnes, however, could amplify not only the gene of P. acnes but also that of P. avidum. The PCR product of this lipase gene was not found in the strains of the other species tested. Therefore, the organism that has both the 16S rRNA gene and lipase gene was identified as P. acnes, while the strain with the lipase gene but not the 16S rRNA gene of P. acnes was characterized as P. avidum. These findings were confirmed by the conventional biochemical tests including lipase activity. Furthermore, out of the seven clinical isolates from acne vulgaris, four were identified as P. acnes and three as P. avidum by the PCR method and biochemical tests. The combination of two PCR, one for the detection of the 16S rRNA and the other of lipase genes was shown to be an easier, faster and more accurate method to identify P. acnes and P. avidum than conventional methods.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

The cutaneous microflora of adolescent, persistent and late-onset acne patients does not differ.

The cutaneous microbiology and antibody status to Propionibacterium acnes of patients with persistent (males, n = 32; females, n = 33) and late-onset (females, n = 25) acne were compared with individuals with adolescent acne (males, n = 22; females, n = 18) and normal control volunteers (persistent acne: males, n = 26; females, n = 30; late-onset: females, n = 20). Males had significantly higher grades of acne compared with females (P < 0.05). The microflora consisted in the main of propionibacteria, staphylococci and Malassezia; other bacteria represented less than 0.01% of the total microflora. At all sites for all samples there were significantly more propionibacteria than staphylococci or Malassezia (P < 0.05). There were significantly higher (P < 0.05) numbers of microorganisms in follicular casts from patients compared with their control volunteers for female facial skin and male back skin. Twenty-six papules and 48 normal follicles were analysed. A bimodal distribution of microbial colonization was noted, with about 90% of normal follicles and about 10% of acne follicles having no detectable viable microorganisms. Anti-P. acnes IgG antibody titres were measured using a secondary fluorescein isothiocyanate antibody technique, and no significant differences in titre were found between any groups of patients (P > 0.05). Correlation analysis showed no association between the population densities of P. acnes and anti-P. acnes IgG titres. There were no differences in the microbiology of skin of adolescent acne patients, persistent acne patients or late-onset acne patients which could account for these various forms of acne.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1977

Lymphocyte transformation in subjects with nodulo cystic acne.

Patients with severe nodulo-cystic acne are known to have elevated serum antibody levels and increased immediate hypersensitivity reactions to Propionibacterium acnes. This organism is the predominant bacterium in normal pilosebaceous follicles of human skin, and can be consistently isolated from pustular lesions in acne. Previously it had been observed that delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to P. acnes were negative in patients with acne. The present study investigated the proliferative response of lymphocytes from patients with nodulo-cystic acne to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and P. acnes antigen stimulation. The response to PHA stimulation was within normal limits. The response to P. acnes antigen showed a significant increase over control values obtained by testing lymphocytes from acne-free subjects. Thus cell mediated immunity to P. acnes may be present in subjects with severe inflammatory acne. These findings raise the possibility that reactions to P. acnes may contribute to intensifying the inflammatory response in acne lesions.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1965

Levels of antibody to Staphylococcus epidermidis in patients with acne vulgaris.

Sera from 23 patients with acne vulgaris of varying degrees and sera from 15 patients with skin diseases other than acne were tested for antibody levels to Staphylococcus epidermidis by use of bacterial agglutination and agar-gel immunodiffusion. Antibody levels to S epidermidis varied from 0 to 1:160 in both the patients with acne and in the control groups. There was no correlation between the antibody level to S epidermidis and the degree of acne. In a previous investigation it was found that antibody levels to Corynebacterium acnes are significantly increased in serum from patients with papulopustular and cystic acne. Both S epidermidis and C acnes can frequently be isolated from lesions in acne. The fact that antibody levels are increased to C acnes but not to S epidermidis may indicate that the mere presence of an organism in the acne lesion is not sufficient stimulation for antibody formation. The increase of antibody to C acnes which was demonstrated previously in patients with severe acne vulgaris may therefore reflect a direct involvement of the organism in the acne process.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1998

Acne vulgaris and the quality of life of adult dermatology patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of acne vulgaris on the quality of life of adult dermatology patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and longitudinal questionnaire study. PATIENTS: Sixty patients with acne vulgaris attending appointments with their dermatologists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Findings using Skindex, a validated 29-item instrument to measure the effects of skin disease on patients' quality of life. Results are reported as 3 scale scores (functioning, emotions, and symptoms) and a composite score (average scale score). In addition, dermatologists rated the clinical severity of patients' skin disease, and patients responded to a global question about how they are bothered by acne. Higher Skindex scores indicate greater effects on quality of life. RESULTS: Patients with acne experienced functioning and emotional effects from their skin disease comparable with those of patients with psoriasis, but experienced fewer symptoms (for patients with acne and psoriasis, respectively, Skindex functioning scores of 14.9 and 22.8 [P=.08]; emotion scores, 39.2 and 38.9 [P=.95]; and symptoms scores, 29.5 and 42.1 [P<.05]). Skindex scores were higher in older patients than in younger patients, and patients aged 40 years or older were less likely to report improvement in their acne after 3 months (43% vs 85%; P<.05). Among patients reporting no improvement in their acne, older patients reported greater effects of their acne on their quality of life. Furthermore, in multivariate analyses, older adults reported more effects of acne on their quality of life than younger adults, even after controlling for sex and acne severity as judged by the dermatologist. CONCLUSIONS: Acne vulgaris significantly affects patients' quality of life. Regardless of the severity of acne, older adults were more affected by their acne.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2004

Acne vulgaris: myths and misconceptions among patients and family physicians.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the health beliefs and knowledge about acne among acne patients and family physicians. A total of 100 patients referred to a dermatologist for management of acne vulgaris and 120 family physicians completed questionnaires. The questionnaires consisted of questions about health beliefs, the natural course of the disease, the causes of acne, and a set of questions about the knowledge of acne therapy. Acne was considered as a trivial and transitory condition by 52% of the acne patients and 44% of the family physicians. The overall score of correct answers pertaining to the causes of acne among the acne patients and family physicians was 11 and 15%, respectively. The percentage of correct answers regarding the natural course of the disease was 6% for both subsets of subjects. Acne was believed to be curable by 96% of acne patients. Most patients (66%) believed that acne would improve immediately after the first treatment. The knowledge of isotretinoin teratogenecity was reasonable among family physicians (55% correct answers), but it was much lower for other side effects (9%). The overall score of correct answers regarding antibiotic therapy among family physicians was only 21%. Impact of the disease was underestimated by family physicians and also by acne patients. Overall knowledge pertaining to the causes, natural course and therapy was very low. Myths and misconceptions still exist among patients but also among family physicians.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2001

Optimal management of acne to prevent scarring and psychological sequelae.

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common inflammatory dermatoses and is seen in both the hospital setting and in general practice. Multiple factors are involved in the pathophysiology of acne, including: an alteration in the pattern of keratinization within the pilosebaceous follicles resulting in comedone formation; an increase in sebum production which is influenced by androgens; the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes; and the production of perifollicular inflammation. Genetic and hormonal factors may also contribute to acne. Better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease has led to the development of novel therapies which are directed at one or more of the implicated etiologic factors. Systemic antibiotics for acne have been the mainstay of treatment for many years. The main cause for concern following the use of systemic antibiotics is the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of P. acnes. Concomitant use of non-antibiotic therapies such as benzoyl peroxide helps to decrease the occurrence of resistance and can be effective in the treatment of resistant and nonresistant propionibacterial strains. However, no one agent is able to eradicate resistant strains completely and as resistant strains correlate to poor clinical response to therapy, prescribing strategies are required to minimize the occurrence of resistance to P. acnes. When assessing acne it is important to take an all embracing approach and to examine carefully for both the clinical and psychologic effects of the disease process. There are numerous forms of acne scarring and it is important to be aware of these as patients who are developing scarring merit early effective therapy. Some patients with acne will develop psychologic problems as a consequence of their condition. Even mild to moderate disease can be associated with significant depression and suicidal ideation and psychologic change does not necessarily correlate with disease severity. Acne scars themselves have been shown to produce significant psychopathology. When initiating treatment it is important to consider the aims of therapy. Treatment should be aimed at achieving clearance of acne, prevention of scarring and, where necessary, relief from any psychologic stress resulting from the acne. Therapy should be commenced early in the disease process in order to prevent scarring and it is important to select appropriate therapies according to the clinical signs and psychologic disability. It is also important to ensure that the patient is able to comply with therapy and clear guidelines regarding treatment, possible adverse effects and realistic expectations should be provided.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1999

Do some men with acne vulgaris have raised levels of LH?

OBJECTIVE: Acne vulgaris is androgen related and in some cases is associated with excess androgen production, which in men would be mainly testicular or adrenal in origin. Ordinarily, testosterone synthesis in the testis is controlled by serum LH. In order to ascertain whether acne vulgaris in men might be consequent on abnormalities at the hypothalmic/pituitary level we have compared serum LH levels in men with and without acne. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: 111 men with acne vulgaris were compared with 51 acne-free men. MEASUREMENTS: Serum levels of LH, FSH and oestradiol were measured by automated ELISA. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol, androstenedione and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay, and SHBG by immunoradiometric assay. RESULTS: The controls showed a fall in serum LH with age: the rate of fall was less in the acne patients (difference between the slopes 0.073 U/year (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.016 to 0.130)). The age distributions in the acne and control groups differed. In order to compare means, standardizations were used to assess the difference in the means in populations of men with age distributions similar to the cases and controls. After standardization to the age distribution of the controls, the acne patients had higher means of serum LH, difference between the means 0.80 U/I (95% CI, 0.31 to 1.30), androstenedione, 1.09 nmol/l (95% CI, 0.15 to 2.03) and testosterone levels, 2.74 nmol/l (95% CI, 0.53 to 4.95) and a lower mean BMI, -1.30 kg/m2 (95% CI, -2.40 to -0.19). After standardization to the age distribution of the acne patients the means of LH, androstenedione and testosterone were still higher in the acne patients but not necessarily significantly so. CONCLUSION: LH fell more slowly with age in the men with acne as compared to the controls. In our heterogeneous group of patients with acne vulgaris the findings suggest that a sub-group of men with acne have raised serum LH levels.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1999

[Prediction of increased levels of androgen in women with acne vulgaris using ultrasound and clinical parameters].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to identify clinical parameters characterizing women with acne whose dermatological problems are due to increased androgen production. Identification of these parameters would allow to indicate endocrinological examination in only a proportion of women with acne vulgaris. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 54 women with acne vulgaris resistant to local treatment were enrolled in the study. The following clinical parameters were monitored: hirsutism (Ferriman-Gallway score), severity of acne, association of the severity of acne with the menstrual cycle, beginning of manifestations of acne, regularity of the menstrual cycle, presence of alopecia, age at menarche, body weight, BMI and ultrasound investigation of the ovaries. In the standard phase of the cycle, blood was collected to determine the levels of the following hormones: LH, FSH, PRL, TSH, testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA, DHEAS, SHGB. Wilcoxon's robust non-parametric paired test was employed for statistical data analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 33 (61%) women showed increased levels of at least one androgen. An irregular cycle was found in 21 (39%) women, acne severity was associated with the menstrual cycle in 16 (30%) women, 48 (89%) women had acne from menarche, 19 (35%) women had hirsutism; an ultrasound finding of polycystic ovaries was revealed in 32 (59%) women. No significant differences were found between a sub-group of women with levels of at least one androgen above the upper reference limit and the other women in the following variables: age, weight, BMI, age at menarche, ultrasound finding of polycystic ovaries, manifestation of acne from menarche, irregular cycle, hirsutism. The two groups were not different in the severity of acne. Deterioration of acne depending on the menstrual cycle was more often present in women with normal androgen levels. By contrast, a regular menstrual cycle was found to be more frequent in women with raised androgen levels, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical parameters had no association with androgen overproduction. Evaluation of clinical parameters, including severity of acne, does not allow to refer only a proportion of women with acne resistant to local treatment for endocrinological examination.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2003

Pathogenesis of acne: recent research advances.

The pathogenesis of acne is complex and dependent on the interplay of multiple factors. Ductal epidermal hyperproliferation, excess sebum, inflammation, and the presence of P acnes all contribute to the development of acne vulgaris. Isotretinoin, arguably the most effective acne treatment, normalizes ductal hyperproliferation, greatly diminishes sebum production and sebocyte terminal differentiation, and manifests decreased numbers of P acnes organisms. Isotretinoin also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. A positive response to isotretinoin is durable in 85% of patients after one course of therapy, despite the reversal of many of these observed changes. The exact mechanism of isotretinoin is unknown. Much remains unknown in our understanding of the pathogenesis of acne. What is the initial stimulus for follicular hyperproliferation? Why do some persons develop acne and others do not despite similar serum hormone levels and similar P acnes counts? What determines the severity of acne in a given patient? Is acne primarily an inflammatory dermatosis? Much progress has been made in the study of acne, but many questions remain. Perhaps the most important question is, how do we treat our patients with acne more effectively and safely than we are now? The answer to this question lies in the development of a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1997

Post-adolescent acne: a review of clinical features.

Acne is usually recognized as a disorder of adolescence. However, the referral of patients over the age of 25 years with acne has significantly increased over the past 10 years. The clinical features of 200 patients over the age of 25 years, referred to our department for treatment of acne, were evaluated with a view to establishing possible aetiological factors. There were 152 (76%) women and 48 (24%) men. The mean age of the patients was 35.5 years (range 25-55 years). The acne was mild or moderate in severity, consisting principally of inflammatory lesions, with mean total acne grade (Leeds Grading Scale) of 1.125 for men and 0.75 for women. Most patients had persistent acne; but true late-onset acne (onset after the age of 25 years) was seen in 28 (18.4%) of women and four (8.3%) of men. Thirty-seven per cent of women had features of hyperandrogenicity. One hundred and sixty-four patients (82%) had failed to respond to multiple courses of antibiotics, and 64 (32%) had relapsed after treatment with one or more courses of isotretinoin. External factors, such as cosmetics, drugs and occupation, were not found to be significant aetiological factors. A family history revealed that 100 (50%) of patients had a first-degree relative with post-adolescent acne. Patients with post-adolescent acne appear to represent an increasingly important population of acne sufferers. External factors do not seem to have a significant aetiological role. Two main clinical groups were identified: those with persistent acne and those with late-onset acne. A minority of women also had features of hyperandrogenicity. These patients, and those with late-onset acne, may represent a subgroup who have underlying abnormalities of ovarian, adrenal or local androgen metabolism, and require separate investigation.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1998

Induction of oxidative stress in rat brain by acrylonitrile (ACN).

Chronic treatment with acrylonitrile (ACN) has been shown to produce a dose-related increase in glial cell tumors (astrocytomas) in rats. The mechanism(s) for ACN-induced carcinogenicity remains unclear. While ACN has been reported to induce DNA damage in a number of short-term systems, evidence for a genotoxic mechanism of tumor induction is the brain is not strong. Other toxic mechanisms appear to participate in the induction of tumor or induce the astrocytomas solely. In particular, nongenotoxic mechanisms of carcinogen induction have been implicated in this ACN-induced carcinogenic effect in the rat brain. One major pathway of ACN metabolism is through glutathione (GSH) conjugation. Extensive utilization and depletion of GSH, an important intracellular antioxidant, by ACN may lead to cellular oxidative stress. The present study examined the ability of ACN to induce oxidative stress in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were administered ACN at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 100, or 200 ppm in the drinking water and sampled after 14, 28, or 90 days of continuous treatment. Oxidative DNA damage indicated by the presence of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (OH8dG) and lipid peroxidation indicated by the presence of malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product, in rat brains and livers were examined. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also determined in different rat tissues. Both the levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants (GSH, vitamin E) and the activities of enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) in rat brains and livers were measured. Increased levels of OH8dG, MDA, and ROS were found in the brains of ACN-treated rats. Decreased levels of GSH and activities of catalase and SOD were also observed in the brains of ACN-treated rats compared to the control group. Interestingly, there were no changes of these indicators of oxidative stress in the livers of ACN-treated rats. Rat liver is not a target for ACN-induced carcinogenesis. These data indicate that ACN selectively induces oxidative stress in rat brain at doses that produce carcinogenesis in chronic treatment studies.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗