Skin expression of mammalian target of rapamycin and forkhead box transcription factor O1, and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 in patients with acne vulgaris and their relationship with diet.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial disorder of the pilosebaceous units. Several studies have reported that insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, forkhead box transcription factor (Fox)O1 and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) interactions may be the key to understanding the links between genetic and environmental factors in acne vulgaris. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the immunohistochemical detection of mTOR and FoxO1 in the skin, and the serum level of IGF-1 in patients with acne vulgaris. METHODS: This study was carried out on 60 participants, including 40 patients with acne and 20 controls. A diet questionnaire was administered to the patients and controls. Serum levels of IGF-1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and skin biopsies were taken from lesions on the backs of the patients and controls. FoxO1 and mTOR expression was detected using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A significantly higher serum IGF-1 level was found in the patients with acne than in the controls. The cytoplasmic expression of FoxO1 was found to be significantly greater in the acne group, whereas in the control subjects this expression was likely to be nuclear. Both the cytoplasmic expression and the nuclear expression of mTOR were significantly more intense in the patients with acne than in the controls. Excess consumption of a high-glycaemic-load diet was significantly associated with higher serum levels of IGF-1 and cytoplasmic expression of FoxO1 and mTOR. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that FoxO1, mTOR, serum IGF-1 and a high-glycaemic-load diet may play a role in acne pathogenesis.

Gastroprotective activity of Nigella sativa oil and its constituent, thymoquinone, against gastric mucosal injury induced by ischaemia/reperfusion in rats.

Ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced gastric lesion, is known to be linked with free radical (FR) formation. Therefore, this model was used to assess the antioxidant effects of Nigella sativa oil (N.O) and thymoquinone (TQ) on gastric mucosal redox state and gastric lesions, 1 and 24 h after reperfusion. Male Wistar rats were subjected to I/R and were injected with either N.O (2.5 and 5 ml/kg, p.o) or TQ (5, 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o). The results showed that I/R elevated the levels of lipid peroxide (LPX) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), while decreased those of reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). These biochemical changes were accompanied by an increase in the formation of gastric lesions, which was reduced by either treatment. N.O tended to normalize the level of LDH, GSH and SOD. However, its effect to restore LPX was only seen 24 h after reperfusion. Moreover, the aforementioned parameters were nearly reinstated by TQ. On the other hand, high doses of TQ (50 and 100 mg/kg) severely reduced the GSH content, 1 h after reperfusion. These results indicate that both N.O and TQ possess gastroprotective effect against gastric lesions which may be related to the conservation of the gastric mucosal redox state.