Could endocrine disruptors be a new player for acne pathogenesis? The effect of bisphenol A on the formation and severity of acne vulgaris: A prospective, case-controlled study.

Abstract

Acne is one of the most common skin diseases in the adolescent period. Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most frequently observed endocrine-disrupting chemicals that we are exposed to in daily life. BPA can affect acne pathogenesis with similar biological activity on androgenic receptors. To investigate whether BPA levels play a role in the development and severity of acne in adults. Fifty-one adults with acne and 50healthy controls, whose ages varied between 18 and 25years and applied to our dermatology outpatient clinic, were evaluated. A questionnaire containing dietary and lifestyle habits for BPA exposure was filled. BPA and BPA glucuronides were analyzed in the LC-MS/MS system in the first-morning urine samples of the patients. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The median levels of total BPA were significantly higher in the acne group compared with the control group (7.94 (4.69-20.32) vs. 5.62 (1.52-21.05) µg/g creatinine, respectively; p=0.04)). The acne severity was positively associated with the BPA values (p=0.00 rs=0.534). Higher BPA level was noticed in younger acne onset age (p=0.012 r=-0.349) When the inquiry questions were evaluated, no difference was found between the study groups regarding BPA exposure risk (p>0.05). BPA could be a factor in acne development and its severity. Therefore, it may be beneficial to prevent BPA exposure and raise awareness in the adolescence and post-adolescence period, in which industrial products such as junk food and plastic bottled water are used more frequently.