Association between serum level of desnutrin and acne vulgaris

Abstract

Objectives To assess the association between serum levels of desnutrin enzyme and the development of acne vulgaris. Background Acne vulgaris is commonly associated with hyperglycemia, which probably results in serum desnutrin suppression and abolishment of its function. Patients and methods A case–control study was conducted on 30 patients with acne vulgaris (group I) and 10 age-matched, sex-matched, and BMI-matched healthy volunteers who had no present and past history of acne as controls (group II). In all, blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and serum desnutrin were assessed. According to severity, patients were divided into three subgroups: group Ia included 10 patients with mild acne vulgaris, group Ib included 10 patients with moderate activity, and group Ic included 10 patients with severe activity. Results There was a significant statistical decrease in serum desnutrin level in patients with acne (41.56±9.35) than controls (208.38±61.87), with P value less than 0.001. Moreover, there was a significant statistical increase in fasting blood glucose level in acne patients (88.71±4.26) than controls (83.28±4.61), with P value=0.001. There was a nonsignificant positive correlation between serum desnutrin and each of acne severity and fasting blood glucose. Conclusion Serum desnutrin levels were significantly decreased in patients with acne vulgaris but were not correlated with acne severity and not affected by sex.