Estradiol in men with severe acne

This study assessed serum concentrations of estradiol, free testosterone, total testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and sex hormone binding globulin in 18 patients aged 19-27 years with severe acne including three patients with nodulo-cystic acne as well as 20 age matched normal controls. There were no significant differences in serum levels of all these hormones between patients and controls, except for serum E2 level which was significantly higher in patient group. So, hemodynamics of serum androgens in male patients with acne do not differ significantly from that of normal controls. Elevated E2 levels might affect the inflammatory response of acne