A randomized controlled trial of topical benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel with a low glycemic load diet versus topical benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel with a normal diet in acne (grades 1-3)

Background: The improvement in insulin resistance and acne lesions on low glycemic load diets in various studies suggests that diet plays a significant role in acne pathogenesis. Aims: To compare the efficacy of a low glycemic load diet plus topical benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel with that of only topical benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel in grades 1, 2 and 3 of acne vulgaris. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 84 patients with grades 1, 2 and 3 acne vulgaris were divided into two groups, to receive a low glycemic load diet and no dietary intervention respectively. Acne lesions (face) were scored and graded at baseline and 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and body mass index were measured during the first and last visits. Statistical analysis was done with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 17.0. Results: Both groups showed significant reduction in acne counts at 12 weeks (P = 0.931) with no statistically significant difference between the groups. The differences in body mass index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance between the groups were statistically significant (P = 0.0001). Group 1 showed reductions in body mass index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values at the end of the study, whereas group 2 did not. Limitations: Application of mild topical cleanser in both the groups might have contributed to the improvement in epidermal barrier function, and topical application of 2.5% of benzoyl peroxide gel in both groups contributed to the improvement in acne counts. Conclusions: A low glycemic load diet did not result in any significant improvement in acne counts.

Interleukin-6 in impaired fasting glucose

Prediabetes is associated with the features of metabolic syndrome and inflammation contributing directly to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study was conducted to explore the utility of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in determining the risk of CVD in prediabetes. It involves estimation of IL-6 & insulin along with its correlation with insulin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), Insulin resistance (IR) and physical measurements. Eighty subjects were grouped into 40 prediabetes and 40 normoglycemic on the basis of FPG values. The mean insulin, IL-6, Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and anthropometric measurements were found to be significantly higher (P <0.05) in prediabetes group. IL-6 had a significant correlation with fasting insulin (r = −0.413) and HOMA-IR (r = −0.413), but no correlation with FPG (r = −0.227) in the prediabetes group. IL-6 also showed a positive correlation with body mass index BMI(r = −0.339), waist circumference WC (r = −484) and waist-to-hip ratio WHR (r = −0.430). This study concludes that prediabetes is associated with inflammation, increasing the risk of CVD in these individuals.