Acne Group Research Articles

Ocular surface changes in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris.

To investigate ocular surface disorders and tear function changes in patients with acne vulgaris and explore the potential relationship between acne vulgaris and dry eye. This cross-sectional study included right eyes of 53 patients with acne vulgaris and 54 healthy controls. The participants completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. The following ocular surface-related parameters were measured: tear meniscus height (TMH), noninvasive tear breakup time (NIBUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), lipid layer thickness (LLT) score of the tear film, meibum score, meibomian gland orifice obstruction score, the ratio of meibomian gland loss, conjunctival hyperemia score, and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score. The stability of the tear film decreased in acne vulgaris patients. In the acne group, the TMH and NIBUT were lower, whereas the OSDI, meibum score, meibomian gland orifice obstruction score, ratio of meibomian gland loss, and conjunctival hyperemia score were higher compared with controls (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the CFS score, SIT, or LLT score between the groups (P>0.05). In two dry eye groups, the TMH, NIBUT, and LLT score were lower in the acne with dry eye (acne-DE) group, and the meibum score, meibomian gland orifice obstruction score, ratio of meibomian gland loss and conjunctival hyperemia score in the acne-DE group were higher (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between OSDI, SIT, and CFS score (P>0.05). Patients with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris are more likely to experience dry eye than those without acne vulgaris. Reduced tear film stability and meibomian gland structure dysfunction are more pronounced in patients with moderate-to-severe acne and dry eye.

Potential functionality of Cutibacterium acnes extracellular vesicles in atopic dermatitis and acne vulgaris: A comparative proteomic analysis.

Cutibacterium acnes is a commensal bacterium residing in healthy skin and plays a critical role in maintaining skin homeostasis. C. acnes has been considered closely related to acne vulgaris, while recent studies suggest that C. acnes and its metabolites may have a protective role in atopic dermatitis (AD) by modulating the immune system and maintaining skin homeostasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membranous vesicles secreted by bacteria that participate in bacteria-host interactions. This study first compared C. acnes EVs from AD lesions (AD-EVs), acne lesions (Acne-EVs), and healthy skin (NC-EVs), using Label-free quantitative LC-MS/MS and validated differently expressed proteins by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). Then Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (NHEK) and human primary keratinocytes (KC) were treated with C. acnes EVs isolated from different groups, and the expressions of inflammatory factors were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Compared with the acne group, the AD group showed greater downregulation of proteins related to energy metabolism and carbon source utilization pathway. Differences in protein profile in AD and acne lesion-separated C. acnes EVs correspond to the abnormal sebum secretion pattern in both diseases. C. acnes EVs from different groups affected different expressions of Th1 and Th2 inflammatory factors and epidermal barrier markers in NHEK and KC, indicating different immunomodulatory potentials. This study observed distinct proteomic differences between AD-EVs and Acne-EVs, and provided insights into the functional differences of C. acnes EVs in AD and acne.

The Effect of Whey Protein Supplements on Acne Vulgaris among Male Adolescents and Young Adults: A Case-Control Study from North of Jordan.

Young people and athletes willing to gain muscle mass and strength are likely to consume whey protein supplements. The effect of milk as a dietary source of whey protein on acne is still controversial. At the same time, a few studies have suggested an acnegenic impact of whey protein supplements. To examine the association of whey protein supplements on acne risk among male adolescents and young adults. 201 male teenagers and young adults attending fitness centers in Irbid/Jordan were involved in an observational case-control research; those with acne were deemed cases, and those without acne were considered controls. The primary outcome was a comparison of the proportion of participants in each group who consumed whey protein supplements within the previous three months. 100 acne-afflicted participants were compared to 101 healthy controls with similar demographics, including age, body mass index, educational level, and smoking habits, as well as intake of vitamin B12, corticosteroids, and anabolic steroids. However, considerably more participants in the acne group (47%) were taking whey protein supplements than in the control group (27.7%) (p=0.0047). The significance of this difference was maintained after multivariate analysis. This case-control study provides evidence of a positive association between whey protein consumption and acne risk.

The causal relationship between gut microbiota and immune skin diseases: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization.

Increasing evidence suggests that alterations in gut microbiota are associated with a variety of skin diseases. However, whether this association reflects a causal relationship remains unknown. We aimed to reveal the causal relationship between gut microbiota and skin diseases, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and lichen planus. We obtained full genetic association summary data for gut microbiota, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and lichen planus from public databases and used three methods, mainly inverse variance weighting, to analyze the causal relationships between gut microbiota and these skin diseases using bidirectional Mendelian randomization, as well as sensitivity and stability analysis of the results using multiple methods. The results showed that there were five associated genera in the psoriasis group, seven associated genera were obtained in the atopic dermatitis group, a total of ten associated genera in the acne group, and four associated genera in the lichen planus group. The results corrected for false discovery rate showed that Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup (P = 2.20E-04, OR = 1.24, 95%CI:1.11-1.40) and psoriasis still showed a causal relationship. In contrast, in the reverse Mendelian randomization results, there was no evidence of an association between these skin diseases and gut microbiota. We demonstrated a causal relationship between gut microbiota and immune skin diseases and provide a new therapeutic perspective for the study of immune diseases: targeted modulation of dysregulation of specific bacterial taxa to prevent and treat psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and lichen planus.

Serum Interleukin-6 Levels are Positively Correlated with the Severity of Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the pilosebaceous unit. This disease occurs on the skin of the face, body, back, and other areas of the body, and can leave scars on the skin which can be temporary or permanent. Recent data shows that the inflammatory process is the initial process in the pathogenesis of acne, several pro-inflammatory cytokines, one of which is interleukin 6 (IL-6), which plays a role in acne vulgaris. Analytical observational study with a cross-sectional approach. The research was carried out from February - November 2023 at the Skin and Venereology Polyclinic, RSUP Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Denpasar and the Clinical Pathology Laboratory of Prof IGNG Ngoerah Hospital. The sample consisted of 47 samples of patients with acne and 20 samples without acne aged 8 - 45 years who were selected through consecutive sampling according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A sample of 3 milliliters of venous blood is taken which will then be checked for IL-6 with an ELISA kit. Data analysis with SPSS version 24 and p value &lt;0.05 is significant. The mean IL-6 serum levels in the acne group was 110.2 ± 88.3 pg/ml while in the non-acne group it was 26.7 ± 23.7 pg/ml. There was a significant difference in the category of IL-6 levels in the acne and non-acne groups (95% CI 55.1 - 155.3, p&lt;0.001). The correlation analysis of IL-6 levels with the severity of acne was strongly positive (r=0.951, p&lt;0.001).

Resistome, mobilome, and virulome explored in clinical isolates derived from acne patients in Egypt: unveiling unique traits of an emerging coagulase-negative Staphylococcus pathogen.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a group of gram-positive staphylococcal species that naturally inhabit the healthy human skin and mucosa. The clinical impact of CoNS-associated infections has recently been regarded as a challenge for diagnosis and therapeutic options. CoNS-associated infections are primarily caused by bacterial resistance to antibiotics and biofilm formation. As antibiotics are still the most used treatment, this problem will likely persist in the future. The present study aimed to investigate the resistance and virulence of CoNS recovered from various acne lesions and explore their genetic basis. Skin swab samples were collected from participants with acne and healthy skin. All samples underwent conventional culture for the isolation of CoNS, MALDI-TOF confirmation, antibiotic susceptibility, and biofilm formation testing. A total of 85 CoNS isolates were recovered from the samples and preliminarily identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis. Isolates from the acne group (n = 60) showed the highest rates of resistance to penicillin (73%), cefoxitin (63%), clindamycin (53.3%), and erythromycin (48%), followed by levofloxacin (36.7%) and gentamycin (31.7%). The lowest rates of resistance were observed against tetracycline (28.3%), doxycycline (11.7%), and minocycline (8.3%). CoNS isolated from mild, moderate acne and healthy isolates did not show strong biofilm formation, whereas the isolates from the severe cases of the acne group showed strong biofilm formation (76.6%). Four extensively drug-resistant and strong biofilm-forming staphylococcal isolates recovered from patients with severe acne were selected for whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and their genomes were investigated using bioinformatics tools. Three of the sequenced genomes were identified as S. epidermidis; however, isolate 29AM was identified as Staphylococcus warneri, which is a newly emerging pathogen that is not commonly associated with acne and was not detected by MALDI-TOF. All the sequenced strains were multidrug-resistant and carried multiple resistance genes, including blaZ, mecA, tet(K), erm(C), lnuA, vgaA, dfrC, fusB, fosBx1, norA, and vanT, which were found to be located on plasmids and chromosomes. Virulence features were detected in all genomes in the presence of genes involved in adherence and biofilm formation (icaA, icaB, icaC, sdrG, sdrH, atl, ebh, and ebp). Only the S. warneri isolate 29AM contained immune evasion genes (capB, capC, acpXL, and manA), an anti-phagocytosis gene (cdsA), and other unique features. As a result of their potential pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance, CoNS must be monitored as an emerging pathogen associated with acne infections. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to isolate, identify, and correlate S. warneri with severe acne infections among Egyptian patients using WGS and bioinformatic analysis.

Exploring the Metabolic and Endocrine Preconditioning Associated with Thyroid Disorders: Risk Assessment and Association with Acne Severity.

Metabolic preconditioning, characterized by conditions like obesity and insulin resistance syndrome, disrupts hormonal balance. Elevated androgen levels stimulate excessive sebum production and follicular cell proliferation, leading to acne lesions. Similarly, thyroid hormone imbalances affect sebaceous gland activity, epidermal lipid composition, and skin cell turnover, impacting acne occurrence and severity. This study aimed to assess the potential contribution of metabolic and endocrine preconditions to acne development. A total of 389 patients diagnosed with acne were included and divided into three groups: the metabolic precondition group (MPG, N = 163, 41.9%), the endocrine precondition group (EPG, N = 162, 41.65%), and the control group (CG, N = 89, 22.88%). Data related to the degree of acne severity and comorbidities of interest were collected from the patients' medical records. In the groups with concomitant diseases, moderate and severe acne were significantly more prevalent (56.44% and 41.10% in MPG, and 35.80% and 61.11% in EPG) compared to the control group (5.61% and 4.89%). The most prevalent preconditions observed were insulin resistance syndrome in MPG (63.8%) and autoimmune thyroiditis in EPG (95.06%). Significant age-related differences in acne severity were found across all study groups (p < 0.05). In MPG, the age variable was significantly higher in the presence of mild acne, while in EPG, the age variable was significantly lower for the mild acne group. A positive association was observed between the severity of acne and insulin resistance syndrome, obesity, autoimmune thyroiditis, and hypothyroidism (p < 0.05). Risk analysis indicated a significantly higher risk (RR > 1, 95% CI RR > 1, p < 0.001) of developing moderate and severe acne in the presence of these preconditions. The presence of both metabolic and endocrine preconditions significantly increased the likelihood of developing severe acne, leading to the hypothesis that both conditions may be contributing factors to the development of acne.

Relationship between elevated serum decorin levels and acne vulgaris in women with PCOS.

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of decorin, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and concurrently presenting with moderate to severe acne vulgaris. Sixty patients with acne vulgaris symptoms, subsequently diagnosed with PCOS according to the revised Rotterdam criteria, were enrolled in the study. Acne severity was assessed using the acne global severity scale (AGSS), with patients fitting AGSS category 4 (moderate) and 5 (severe) grouped into two separate cohorts of 30 individuals each. The moderate acne group comprised patients with few inflammatory lesions and a minor nodule alongside predominantly non-inflammatory lesions, whereas the severe group contained patients with multiple nodules and a mix of non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions. A control group of twenty healthy women without acne vulgaris or PCOS was also established. The study measured serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and insulin levels, and calculated insulin resistance via the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) formula. Quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay was employed to determine decorin levels from venous blood samples. While age, body mass index (BMI), serum FSH, LH, testosterone, and HOMA-IR values demonstrated similarity between the moderate and severe acne cohorts, comparisons between the control and both acne groups (AGSS-4 and AGSS-5) revealed significantly elevated values in the latter, excluding age, BMI, and FSH. Importantly, the serum decorin levels in both acne groups were substantially higher than in controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between serum decorin levels and both HOMA-IR (r=7.88, p<0.01) and testosterone (r=0.813, p<0.01). This study suggests that elevated circulating decorin levels play a pivotal role in the manifestation of acne vulgaris in women with PCOS.

Skin Barrier Parameters in Acne Vulgaris versus Normal Controls: A Cross-Sectional Analytic Study.

Data of objective skin barrier parameters in acne patients with and without therapy compared with normal controls are limited. This information could provide more insight into the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris and optimal acne treatment. To measure and compare skin barrier parameters in a large cohort of acne patients with and without therapy compared with normal controls. This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted on healthy Thai volunteers. After completing a questionnaire on their general information and skincare routine, volunteers received a full skin examination and were divided into subjects with and without acne. Skin barrier parameters, including the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and sebum production were measured and compared between the two groups. Factors that may affect each parameter were analysed and adjusted for in a multivariate regression analysis. In addition, data from acne patients with and without treatment were evaluated. The study included 316 volunteers (164 acne patients, 152 controls), mostly female (79% acne, 78% controls). The mean age of the acne group was considerably lower than that of the control group (34 vs 48.6 years (p < 0.001)). Acne patients showed significantly higher TEWL (13.16 vs 10.63 g/m²/day, p < 0.001), sebum production (median 3 vs 0 A.U, p = 0.002), and skin hydration (244.60 vs 222.60 uS, p = 0.001). These differences remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors. Additionally, significant differences were observed between controls, acne. Patients receiving and not receiving acne medications. The highest TEWL was observed in acne patients receiving treatment, followed by untreated acne patients and normal controls (p = 0.0003). Skin hydration exhibited a comparable pattern (p = 0.03). There were significantly higher TEWL, sebum production and hydration in acne patients. Acne treatment further impaired the skin barrier. These findings support the possible benefits of moisturisers with barrier-enhancing properties in patients receiving acne medications.

Efficacy and safety of isotretinoin Lidose®

Introduction. Acne is a common chronic inflammatory disease, which is accompanied by severe social stress and reduces the quality of life of patients. Isotretinoin is the gold standard for the treatment of severe and moderate forms of acne, and is also used when there is a risk of developing a post-acne symptom complex and when previous treatment methods are ineffective.Purpose of the study. To determine the effectiveness and safety of various isotretinoin regimens at a dose of 0.4–0.8 mg/kg in patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris and in patients with adult acne.Materials and methods. A single-center, prospective, parallel, controlled study involved 139 patients with acne vulgaris and adult acne, who were divided into 3 groups. 72 patients with acne vulgaris of moderate severity according to the IGA scale (group A1) and 37 patients with adult acne (group B) received isotretinoin (Accutane) at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg/day (cumulative dose 100 mg/kg) for 8 months. 30 patients with severe forms of acne vulgaris (group A1) received Accutane at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg/day (cumulative dose 120 mg/kg) for 8 months. The study lasted 24 months. and consisted of 4 visits (1st visit, 4, 8 and 24 months), at each visit photocontrol was performed, the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory elements was calculated, the DAI index and the degree on the IGA scale were determined.Results. All 139 patients achieved ‘clear’ or almost ‘clear’ skin according to the IGA scale after 8 months of therapy. There was also a statistically significant decrease in non-inflammatory and inflammatory elements in all groups after 4 and 8 months. (p &lt; 0.001). The total DIA score after 8 months was reduced in group A1 by 89.2%, in group A2 by 83.78% and in group B by 80.3%. Acne recurrence after 24 months was determined in five patients.Conclusions. Various regimens of Accutane for moderate and severe acne vulgaris, as well as adult acne, have demonstrated high efficacy and a favorable safety profile.

The efficiency and safety of low-dosage isotretinoin therapy for Chinese acne vulgaris patients.

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin conditions in dermatology clinics. Accumulating evidence has implicated oral low-dosage isotretinoin was an effective treatment for acne with fewer side effects. Currently, the data on low-dosage isotretinoin use in Chinese is limited. To investigate the efficiency and safety of low-dosage isotretinoin therapy for Chinese acne patients. Three hundred and eighty-eight patients treated with low-dosage isotretinoin (0.2-0.4 mg/kg/d) and who completed the course (120 mg/kg) were enrolled. Medical information on the severity, duration, adverse effects, and outcome of acne was reviewed. The majority (90.2%, n = 350) of patients achieved complete remission, and on average, patients received 13.5 months of treatment. The time between isotretinoin start and the clear date between the mild and moderate groups was not significantly different (74 ± 24 vs. 84 ± 24 days). However, it took longer to resolve for the severe acne group (112 ± 25 days). Follow-up 1 year after completion of the isotretinoin course, 37/350 (10.6%) patients relapsed, but there was no difference in the severity of acne. There were 133 (34.3%), 40 (10.3%), and 14 (2.6%) patients who developed hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and high LDL, respectively. Thirty-two (8.2%) and 28 patients (7.2%) had elevated serum levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. No values above grade 2 were detected. This study reaffirms the efficacy and safety of low-dosage oral isotretinoin in Chinese patients with acne vulgaris. Lab investigation could be performed after 2 months of therapy in healthy patients with normal baseline liver function and lipid panel tests.

Dietary Patterns in Acne and Rosacea Patients-A Controlled Study and Comprehensive Analysis.

As the relationship between exposome factors and inflammatory skin diseases is gaining increasing attention, the objective of this study was to investigate dietary patterns among acne and rosacea patients and to establish the disease risk attributable to nutrition. In this cross-sectional, controlled study, patients' dietary habits were assessed via subjective ratings of beneficial and trigger foods, followed by standardized food frequency surveys (FFS). Scores for disease-specific risk stratification based on dietary habits were proposed. Clinical assessments, dermatologic examinations, and laboratory analyses were performed. A total of 296 patients (acne group (AG) n = 120, control group (ACG) n = 32; rosacea group (RG) n = 105, control group (RCG) n = 39) were included. The significant impact of diet on disease severity was self-reported by 80.8% of the AG and 70.5% of the RG. Leading dietary triggers were found in both groups, while beneficial food items were identified more clearly by the AG. FFS revealed significant dietary differences between the AG, RG, and control groups. Disease-specific scores showed greater precision for acne (odds ratio 14.5 AG, 5.5 RG). The AG had higher insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels correlating with dairy intake (p = 0.006). Overall, this study underlines the influence of diet on acne and rosacea, providing valuable disease-specific scores for dietary risk stratification. Consuming vegetables, legumes, oily fish, olive oil, and nuts, and limiting meat, cheese, and alcohol appear to be beneficial for both acne and rosacea. Future studies can build on these data to further improve preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Relationship between serum amino acid levels and acne severity

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.

Relationships Between Disease Severity and the C-reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio and Various Hematological Parameters in Patients With Acne Vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris, an inflammatory disease, was investigated in this study with the claim that the C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio and some hematological parameter ratios have the potential to be used as inflammatory markers to monitor disease severity and prognosis. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with two groups of patients aged 18-65 years, 61 patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris and 35 healthy control patients, and routine hemogram and biochemical parameters were compared. The Global Acne Severity Index was used to determine the severity of acne vulgaris. The median age of acne patients was 22.0 (IQR=5.0) and the median age ofhealthy volunteers was 30.0 (IQR=14.0). There were 75.4% (n=46) women in the acne group and 77.1% (n=27) women in the control group. Among the acne patients, 42.6% (n=26) had mild acne, and 41% (n=25) had moderate acne severity. A significant difference was found between the study groups in terms of CRP/albumin ratio, CRP, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), lymphocyte/albumin ratio (LAR), and monocyte/CRP ratio (MCR)according to laboratory test results and calculated test ratios (p<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) value of the CRP/albumin ratio in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis between the acne and control groups was 0.660, and its cut-off value was found to be 0.236 with 68.6% sensitivity and 68.9% specificity. This study is the first to compare the CRP/albumin ratio with the severity of acne vulgaris in the literature. CRP/albumin ratio and MCRmay serve as inflammatory markers that can be used to monitor the severity of acne vulgaris.

Haplotype analysis and linkage disequilibrium of ApoB gene polymorphisms and its relationship with hyperlipidemia in patients with acne vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit brought on by hormonal imbalance, excessive sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, inflammation and Cutibacterium acne. Acne patients are characterized by alteration of the lipid profile. Apolipoprotein B gene (ApoB) plays an essential role in lipoprotein biosynthesis and multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ApoB are associated with dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to estimate the alteration of lipid profiles in AV, determine the genetic association with lipid profile alteration by studying the ApoB gene polymorphisms, and to identify the exact haplotypes associated with acne and lipid profile alteration. In a case-control study consisting of 63 non-obese acne patients and 43 healthy controls, all participants underwent biochemical, anthropological assessments, and genetic analysis for ApoB polymorphisms. Our results indicate that serum ApoB and the lipid profile were higher in acne patients compared with healthy subject. The most common haplotypes in acne patients were rs562338 A/rs17240441 I/c.12669 A/rs1042034 G, whereas the most common haplotypes in healthy subjects were rs562338 G/rs17240441 D/c.12669 A/rs1042034 G. Patients with mild acne had higher serum ApoB levels p= 0.005. Also, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level was higher in mild acne compared with other acne groups, with a highly significant variation of p≤0.001. We found a significant variation between the acne group and healthy controls in serum ApoB, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-C. The most common haplotypes in acne patients are rs562338 A/, rs17240441 I/, c.12669 A/ and rs1042034 G, and there is a linkage disequilibrium between the four selected SNPs.

The Relationship Between Nutritional Anemia and Acne: A Case-Control Study.

Background In the past decade, there has been growing interest in identifying the relationship between nutritional status and acne. Many dietary factors have been studied, including milk, fast food, and chocolate. However, nutritional anemia,which is a common problem inyoung individuals, has not been well investigated. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the relationships between acne and nutritional anemia among people in the Qassim Regionof Saudi Arabia. Methods This study used a case-control design. It targeted people aged from 15 to 25 years old in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia. This study was conducted using a database of Electronic Health Records (EHR) data from the Qassim University outpatient department (OPD). Data analysis was conducted by using SPSS (IBM Inc., Armonk, New York). Results A total of 114 of the study populationwere involved in this study. The acne group represented was identical to the control group. The mean age of study participants was 23.1 ± 4.19 years old, and the majority of them were females (86%). Moreover, the patient group had relatively lower levels of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), vitamin B12, ferritin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and hemoglobin than the control group without any significant correlation, whereas the patient group had higher levels of mean corpuscular hemoglobinconcentration (MCHC) and red cell distribution width (RDW) without significant difference. Our results showed that the prevalence of anemia among respondents was 17.5%, and a higher prevalence of anemia was observed in the control group without significant differences. Furthermore, the patient group had a significantly higher prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency (38.6%) than the control group (p=0.041). Conclusion Our results concluded that patients with acne vulgaris in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia had asignificantly higher rate of vitamin B12 deficiency. Additional studies are needed to confirm this association.

ROLE OF GLYCOLIC ACID PEELING (35%) IN MANAGEMENT OF ACNE VULGARIS: A PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological disorder primarily affecting adolescents and young adults. In spite of various modalities of treatment available, it still poses a therapeutic problem to the dermatologists. The advent of new and potent topical therapeutic modalities such as chemical peeling has resulted in signicant improvement in the treatment of acne. This study aims to observe the therapeutic res Objective: ponse of 35% glycolic acid peeling in active acne lesions as an adjuvant to conventional anti acne therapy. This Materials &amp; Methods: was randomized control study in which 100 patients of mild – moderate grade acne vulgaris were taken and divided into 2 groups of 50 each. Group A was given conventional anti acne management and group B was given Glycolic acid peeling every 3 weeks in addition to the conventional anti acne management. Follow up was done for 4 months and results were compared between the 2 groups. we found that acne grade improved faster in Group B patients (patients undergoi Result &amp; Conclusion: ng GLA peel). Although Group B patients showed faster improvement in clearance of acne lesions but by the end of the study i.e., at 15 weeks both the group had equal response rate. This means that glycolic acid peeling can be used as an adjuvant with conventional antiacne management to fasten the resolution of acne lesions but nal response after full course of treatment is similar in both group

Assessment of plasma testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone levels in Vietnam female patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris

Introduction: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit with differential pathogenesis. To elucidate the roles of hormones in acne pathogenesis, we conducted a study to evaluate the plasma testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone levels in women with acne vulgaris. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study, and 140 women with acne vulgaris were examined; their plasma estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were analyzed by chemiluminescence technique and compared with the healthy control group. Results: Increased plasma hormone levels in women with acne vulgaris accounted for 33.57%, and hyperandrogenism accounted for 20.71% of cases. We found significant differences in testosterone levels (mean value, 56.92 ± 27.64ng/dL, 60.71± 25.85ng/dL versus 38.35 ± 10.09ng/dL, p&lt;0.01), respectively, in the moderate to severe acne group and the control group. However, the estradiol level of the moderate and severe acne groups (325.12 ± 91.79 and 305.26 ± 83.01pmol/l) was lower than the control group (368.6 ± 58.34pmol/l), with p-value under 0.05. No statistically significant differences were found for progesterone levels. Conclusion: Female patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris had abnormalities in plasma testosterone and estradiol levels. These abnormalities might be part roles in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris, even when the mean levels were in the normal range.

Stabilization of Acne Vulgaris-Associated Microbial Dysbiosis with 2% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid.

Facial microbiota dysbiosis is an important factor in causing acne vulgaris. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of 2% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid (SSA) on acne-associated facial bacteria. In the current study, 30 acne vulgaris patients (treated with 2% SSA for eight weeks) and ten volunteers with no facial acne were selected. Samples from acne patients (before and after treatment) and volunteers (not treated) were analyzed via high throughput sequencing, Deblur algorithm, and R microbiome package. After treatment with 2% SSA, the total lesion count and global acne grading system (GAGS) score reduced significantly (p < 0.001). Metagenomic sequencing analysis revealed that the pre-treated acne group had low α and deviated β diversity compared to the control and post-treated acne groups. Due to the treatment with 2% SSA, α diversity index was increased and β diversity was stabilized significantly (p < 0.001). The relative abundance of bacterial genera in the pre-treated acne group was uneven and had a high proportion of Staphylococcus, Ralstonia, and Streptococcus. The proportion of these three genera was significantly decreased in the post-treated group, and overall bacteria genera distribution tends toward the healthy individual. It is concluded that 2% SSA normalizes the microbial communities associated with the skin.

Serum survivin in acne versus post-acne scarring and the possible effect of isotretinoin therapy on its level

Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit. Survivin is an apoptosis inhibitor protein, and it contributes crucially to cell cycle regulation. This study measures the serum level of survivin in acne and post-acne scarring patients, and assesses the possible effect of isotretinoin therapy on its level. Sixty participants, including 40 acne patients (Group IA, IB), and 20 age- and sex-matched controls (Group II) were included. Group IA included 20 patients with active moderate-to-severe acne without scarring, and this group was further prescribed oral isotretinoin therapy for 3 months. Group IB included 20 patients with post-acne scarring of a duration not more than 6 months, without evident active acne lesions. Serum survivin levels were measured in the three groups using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. There was a statistically significant higher serum survivin level in the acne scar group, followed by the active acne group, than in controls. In addition, there was a statistically significant reduction in survivin levels after treatment, and it was positively correlated with a reduction in the global acne grading system (GAGS) in the active acne group. Survivin may play a role in the evolution of acne and acne scarring, and it could be a possible target for isotretinoin therapy.