Cigarette Smoke-Induced Interleukin-1 Alpha May Be Involved in the Pathogenesis of Adult Acne

BACKGROUND: Lipid peroxide (LPO) in comedones, which are produced as a result of sebum oxidation, might potentially induce interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and exacerbate comedogenesis and inflammatory changes in comedones. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of proinflammatory cytokines and LPO levels in the extracts of comedones with the acne of clinical difference between smokers and non-smokers, and with the severity and distribution of the acne lesions. METHODS: Twenty-two non-smoking and 21 smoking adult acne patients were evaluated by comedone extraction and measurement of proinflammatory cytokines and LPO levels. Acne severity and distribution of the lesions were also analyzed. RESULTS: Relative to the non-smoking group, smokers had significantly higher levels of IL-1alpha and LPO in comedones. Their levels showed a positive correlation. However, there were no statistically significant difference between the severity or distribution of the disease and the levels of LPO and IL-1alpha in comedones. CONCLUSION: Smoking may be involved in the pathogenesis of adult acne by increasing the oxidative stress that results in subsequent accumulation of LPO in comedones.

Stellate ganglion block for the treatment of acne vulgaris in adult : Case reports

Therapeutic agents such as antibiotics, hormonal drugs and retinoids are usually applied for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Adult patients with acne vulgaris may suffer from various side effects of the therapeutic agents. Stellate ganglion blocks are known to be effective for general dermatological conditions such as atopic dermatitis and acne vulgaris. We experienced that a stellate ganglion block showed significant therapeutic effects in two patients with severe acne that did not respond to other treatments including medications. A stellate ganglion block should be considered as an effective treatment method for patients with acne vulgaris, especially in cases where little improvement is seen with the use of other treatment methods.

A Comparison of the Sebum excretion rate and the Density of Propionibacterium acnes between Adult acne and Adolescent acne / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Acne is principally a disorder of adolescence. However, a number of observational studies have documented a significant degree of acne in adult women. One study found a difference in women between late-onset acne and acne that persisted from adolescence. There were significant higher sebum excretion rates among women whose acne originated during the teenage years compared with late-onset acne groups. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical features of patients with acne and to compare the sebum excretion rates and the density of P acnes in adult acne with that in adolescent acne. METHODS: Thirty nine patients with acne vulgaris were clinically evaluated. Sebum secretion rates were evaluated by Sebutape method. The density of P acnes counted by scrub method. RESULTS: 1. The severity grades were mild to moderate in adult acne groups, consisting with the lower acne lesion counts than that of adolescent acne groups. 2. Sebum secretion rates by Sebutape(R) method showed different patterns in two groups. The mean value in the adult acne groups was lower than that in adolescent acne groups, but not statistically significant. Chin area dominant pattern, shown in adult acne groups, were not apparent in adolescent acne groups. 3. The density of P acnes was a lower mean value in the adult acne groups, but not statistically significant. Only in adolescent acne groups, the severity grades are well correlated to the density of P acnes. CONCLUSION: Adult acne was mild to moderate in severity. Clinically, adult acne differs from adolescent acne in that the lesions are located most commonly around the chin. Sebum excretion rate was the highest in the chin area of patients with adult acne. But there was no significant difference in two groups. Also the density of P acnes was not significantly different in two groups.