Relationship between serum amino acid levels and acne severity

Abstract

AimAcne is a common skin disease in which metabolic factors have been suggested to play a role in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum amino acid levels and acne and acne scar development. Material and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 30 patients with scatricial acne, 30 patients with non-scatricial acne and 30 healthy subjects were included. Global acne scores and scar scores were calculated. Venous blood samples of the participants were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and serum levels of a total of 24 amino acids including nine essential amino acids, 11 nonessential amino acids and four other amino acids were measured. ResultsSerum levels of the branched chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine were significantly higher in the cicatricial acne group (p: <0.001, 0.001, <0.001, respectively) and in the non-cicatricial acne group (p: 0.039, 0.045, 0.001, respectively) compared to healthy subjects. There were also significant positive correlations between the levels of these amino acids and global acne scores (p = 0.048, r = 0.255, p = 0.006, r = 0.354, p = 0.017, r = 0.307, respectively) and scar scores (p = 0.032, r = 0.392, p = 0.021, r = 0.424, p = 0.018, r = 0.427, respectively). Serum tryptophan levels were significantly lower in both scatricial and non-scatricial acne groups compared to healthy subjects (p = 0.033 and < 0.001, respectively). ConclusionImpaired metabolism of branched-chain amino acids and tryptophan may be associated with acne pathogenesis, acne severity and scarring.