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Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Acne vulgaris is a common disease, which occurs in adolescents as well as adults and has a significant influence on the patient's quality of life (QoL) in every aspect.... (Review)
Review
Acne vulgaris is a common disease, which occurs in adolescents as well as adults and has a significant influence on the patient's quality of life (QoL) in every aspect. Due to resistance to standard therapies, it has become necessary to prospect for new treatment strategies. It is important to highlight that the diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause of acne such as metabolic and hormonal disorders may significantly improve the effectiveness of acne treatment. The correlation between Insulin Resistance (IR) and acne has been proven. Both disorders share many common occurrence factors and activation pathways. Metformin, an antihyperglycemic agent, seems to be a possible therapy option, not only because of its insulin sensitizing ability but also via plenty of additional effects of this medicine. While the efficiency of metformin therapy in patients with acne and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is well explored, it is still necessary to evaluate it in patients without any endocrinopathies. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the effectiveness of oral metformin as a monotherapy in acne patients without PCOS or other endocrinopathies. Study selection was performed with included criteria such as no PCOS and other endocrinopathies diagnosed, oral administration of metformin, and metformin in monotherapy. Selected studies contained comparisons in the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) before and after metformin therapy. Statistical analysis detected significant improvement in skin condition after treatment with metformin.
PubMed: 38931395
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060728 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The aim of this review is to present the potential application of camphor-a bicyclic monoterpene ketone-in the prevention of skin infections. Skin diseases represent a... (Review)
Review
The aim of this review is to present the potential application of camphor-a bicyclic monoterpene ketone-in the prevention of skin infections. Skin diseases represent a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by prolonged symptoms that significantly diminish the quality of life. They affect the dermis, the epidermis, and even subcutaneous tissue. They very often have a bacterial or fungal background. Therapy for dermatological skin disorders is difficult and long-term. Therefore, it is important to find a compound, preferably of natural origin, that (i) prevents the initiation of this infection and (ii) supports the skin's repair process. Based on its documented anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-acne, anesthetic, strengthening, and warming properties, camphor can be used as a preventative measure in dermatological infectious diseases and as a component in medical and cosmetic products. This work discusses the structure and physicochemical properties of camphor, its occurrence, and methods of obtaining it from natural sources as well as through chemical synthesis. The use of camphor in industrial preparations is also presented. Additionally, after a detailed review of the literature, the metabolism of camphor, its interactions with other medicinal substances, and its antimicrobial properties against bacteria and fungi involved in skin diseases are discussed with regard to their resistance.
PubMed: 38931382
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060715 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The imbalance of skin microbiota in acne can induce changes leading to induction or to aggravation of chronic inflammatory lesions; complex mechanisms are involved. (...
BACKGROUND
The imbalance of skin microbiota in acne can induce changes leading to induction or to aggravation of chronic inflammatory lesions; complex mechanisms are involved. ( ribotypes RT4 and RT5 express more biofilm and are associated with inflammatory acne lesions. RT6 is a non-acne ribotype, beneficial for the skin.
OBJECTIVES
In an open clinical trial, acne adults were included and assessed clinically at baseline and at month 2 using the Investigator Global Assessment of Acne (IGA) score. A topical emulsion was applied twice daily for 2 months (M2) in each included patient. In the same series of acne patients, skin swab samples were collected from acne patients at baseline and M2 from lesional and non-lesional skin; skin swabs were collected for the metagenomic long-read analysis of microbiota.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Acne patients with a gravity score IGA of >1<3 were included in this pilot study. An emulsion of O/W formulated with vegetal extract of associated with a polysaccharide at 1% was applied twice daily for 2 months. At baseline and M2 clinical assessments were made; skin swab samples were also taken for microbiota analysis from lesional and non-lesional skin in each included patient. Extractions of genomic DNA (gDNA) from swab samples from baseline and from M2 were made, followed by full-length (V1-V9) amplification of the 16S rDNA and sequencing of amplicon libraries for strain-level bacterial community profiling.
RESULTS
In a series of 32 adult acne patients, the mean initial IGA scale was 3.1; at M2 the IGA scale was 1.5 ( < 0.001). The mean decrease in acne lesions was by 63%. Microbiome metagenomic long-read analysis in these series was mainly dominated by followed by (. The density of ribotypes RT6 (non-acne strain) was increased at M2 compared to baseline and the density of ribotypes RT1 to RT5 was decreased at M2, compared to baseline ( < 0.0001). ribotypes (1 to 36) were non significantly increased at M2, compared to baseline ( < 0.1).
CONCLUSIONS
In a series of 32 acne patients that applied an emulsion based on vegetal extract of and a polysaccharide at 1% twice daily, a significant clinical improvement in IGA scale for acne lesions was seen at M2, compared to baseline ( < 0.0001). The clinical improvement was correlated with an improvement in skin microbiome at M2 compared to baseline, indicated by the increase in the relative abundance of non-acne strain of ribotype 6 and of the decrease in the relative abundance of acne strains ribotypes RT1 to RT5.
PubMed: 38929671
DOI: 10.3390/life14060688 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024All- retinoic acid (ATRA), the major active metabolite of all- retinol (vitamin A), is a key hormonal signaling molecule. In the adult organism, ATRA has a widespread... (Review)
Review
All- retinoic acid (ATRA), the major active metabolite of all- retinol (vitamin A), is a key hormonal signaling molecule. In the adult organism, ATRA has a widespread influence on processes that are crucial to the growth and differentiation of cells and, in turn, the acquisition of mature cell functions. Therefore, there is considerable potential in the use of retinoids to treat diseases. ATRA binds to the retinoic acid receptors (RAR) which, as activated by ATRA, selectively regulate gene expression. There are three main RAR isoforms, RARα, RARβ, and RARγ. They each have a distinct role, for example, RARα and RARγ regulate myeloid progenitor cell differentiation and hematopoietic stem cell maintenance, respectively. Hence, targeting an isoform is crucial to developing retinoid-based therapeutics. In principle, this is exemplified when ATRA is used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (PML) and target RARα within PML-RARα oncogenic fusion protein. ATRA with arsenic trioxide has provided a cure for the once highly fatal leukemia. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies of RARγ have revealed the potential use of agonists and antagonists to treat diseases as diverse as cancer, heterotopic ossification, psoriasis, and acne. During the final drug development there may be a need to design newer compounds with added modifications to improve solubility, pharmacokinetics, or potency. At the same time, it is important to retain isotype specificity and activity. Examination of the molecular interactions between RARγ agonists and the ligand binding domain of RARγ has revealed aspects to ligand binding that are crucial to RARγ selectivity and compound activity and key to designing newer compounds.
Topics: Humans; Retinoic Acid Receptor gamma; Receptors, Retinoic Acid; Animals; Tretinoin; Protein Binding; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38928275
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126568 -
Biomolecules Jun 2024Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a transcription factor expressed in many tissues, including skin, where it is essential for maintaining skin... (Review)
Review
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a transcription factor expressed in many tissues, including skin, where it is essential for maintaining skin barrier permeability, regulating cell proliferation/differentiation, and modulating antioxidant and inflammatory responses upon ligand binding. Therefore, PPARγ activation has important implications for skin homeostasis. Over the past 20 years, with increasing interest in the role of PPARs in skin physiopathology, considerable effort has been devoted to the development of PPARγ ligands as a therapeutic option for skin inflammatory disorders. In addition, PPARγ also regulates sebocyte differentiation and lipid production, making it a potential target for inflammatory sebaceous disorders such as acne. A large number of studies suggest that PPARγ also acts as a skin tumor suppressor in both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, but its role in tumorigenesis remains controversial. In this review, we have summarized the current state of research into the role of PPARγ in skin health and disease and how this may provide a starting point for the development of more potent and selective PPARγ ligands with a low toxicity profile, thereby reducing unwanted side effects.
Topics: PPAR gamma; Humans; Animals; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; Skin Diseases; Ligands; Cell Differentiation
PubMed: 38927131
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060728 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Jun 2024
PubMed: 38925435
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.05.092 -
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology Jun 2024Caucasian and Asian patients with hidradenitis suppurativa demonstrate significant differences with regard to age, gender and body mass index. Demographic...
Response to adalimumab in Caucasian and Asian patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: A retrospective cohort study of an Australian cohort stratified by patient-reported ethnicity.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Caucasian and Asian patients with hidradenitis suppurativa demonstrate significant differences with regard to age, gender and body mass index. Demographic characteristics are known to influence the efficacy and drug survival of hidradenitis suppurativa therapeutics including biologic therapies. What remains unknown is the impact of ethnicity upon the efficacy of therapeutics once demographic and disease characteristics have been taken into account. This is an important question given the expansion of biologic therapies for HS into the global patient community.
METHODS
We assessed 170 patients from a single HS specialist centre in Australia stratified by patient-identified ethnicity including those identifying as either Caucasian or Asian.
RESULTS
Asian patients demonstrated lower BMI, higher rates of smoking and greater odds of Hurley stage 3 disease with tunnels than Caucasian patients in line with the reported literature. There was no significant difference between percentage of individuals achieving HiSCR50 or IHS4-55 at Week 16. Significant differences were seen in median time to secondary loss of response, and Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed a significant difference between curves when stratified by patient-reported ethnicity. Cox regression analysis demonstrated after accounting for age, gender, BMI, smoking and Hurley stage, the significance of ethnicity in influencing time to secondary loss of response disappears.
CONCLUSIONS
Caucasian or Asian ethnicity does not influence response to adalimumab treatment on patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
PubMed: 38924541
DOI: 10.1111/ajd.14343 -
International Journal of Dermatology Jun 2024The 1064-nm picosecond laser with holographic optics demonstrated significant efficacy in treating atrophic acne scars.
Comparison of the fractionated Nd: YAG 1064-nm picosecond laser with holographic optics and the fractional CO laser in atrophic acne scar treatment: a prospective, randomized, split-face study.
KEY POINT
The 1064-nm picosecond laser with holographic optics demonstrated significant efficacy in treating atrophic acne scars.
BACKGROUND
Picosecond lasers with fractionated optics have enabled the development of a breakthrough skin rejuvenation method. The authors compared the fractionated, non-ablative neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet 1064-nm picosecond laser with holographic optics and the fractional CO laser in treating atrophic acne scars.
METHODS
One side of each patient's face was randomly allocated and treated with three sessions of the 1064-nm picosecond laser with holographic optics at 2-month intervals. In contrast, the other side was treated with the fractional CO laser. Participants were followed up 3 months after the final session. The primary outcome included the physicians' evaluation using the ECCA grading scale and a four-point scale to assess improvement. The patients' assessment of progress, their overall satisfaction and preferences, and the side effects were also evaluated.
RESULTS
No significant difference was observed between the two lasers in terms of the mean ECCA scores after treatments (P = 0.209). The physicians' improvement assessment was more significant for the fractional CO laser (P = 0.001). The patients' evaluation of improvement and subjective satisfaction were consistent with physicians' four-point scale results. The picosecond laser side had fewer adverse effects (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The fractionated, non-ablative Nd: YAG 1064-nm picosecond laser with holographic optics and the fractional CO laser were effective and safe in treating atrophic acne scars. Significantly better clinical outcomes were observed with the fractional CO laser, whereas fewer adverse effects were noted with the 1064-nm picosecond laser with holographic optics.
PubMed: 38924534
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.17296 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... Jul 2024Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit, commonly presenting as comedones, papules, pustules, or nodules on the...
BACKGROUND
Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit, commonly presenting as comedones, papules, pustules, or nodules on the face, upper limbs, torso, and back, with comedones formation being the primary pathology leading to disfiguring inflammation, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and psychological impact.
AIM
The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of two genetic variants in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene and their association with insulin resistance (IR) in acne patients. To understand how these variants contribute to AV and its associated IR.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
An analytical cross-sectional study with a case-control design and research evaluation was carried out on 87 AV patients and 73 healthy volunteers. The medical histories of both groups were obtained, as well as the severity and duration of inflammation among acne sufferers, as well as demographic data. Biochemical analysis was performed on both sets of participants, including fasting blood glucose levels, insulin levels while fasting, IR, and serum TNF-α. PCR-RFLP analysis identified -863 G > A (rs1800630) and -308 G > A (rs1800629) variations, and real-time PCR analysis evaluated TNF-α gene expression in both patients and healthy people.
RESULTS
Acne patients exhibited significantly higher levels of IR, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, serum TNF-α, and TNF-α folding change, when compared to healthy controls. The co-dominant model for -863 G > A and -308 G > A variants exhibited significant variations between the two groups. Severe acne patients who had the A/A genotype for -308 variants exhibited higher levels of IR, serum TNF-α, and TNF-α folding change. Highly significant positive linear correlation between IR, serum TNF-α, and TNF-α folding change in severe AV.
CONCLUSION
There is a correlation between AV, especially severe acne, and the -863 G > A and -308 G > A polymorphism, which influences TNF-α gene expression and serum TNF-α levels.
Topics: Humans; Acne Vulgaris; Insulin Resistance; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Male; Female; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Young Adult; Adolescent; Severity of Illness Index; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Genetic Predisposition to Disease
PubMed: 38923681
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13811 -
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Jun 2024Acne vulgaris (AV) is an inflammatory skin disorder leading to scars and discomfort, its intensity has major psychological consequences such as depression.
BACKGROUND
Acne vulgaris (AV) is an inflammatory skin disorder leading to scars and discomfort, its intensity has major psychological consequences such as depression.
AIM
To investigate the effect of isotretinoin (ISO) on NF-κB/NLRP3, biotinidase, and HMGB and correlation with depression.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This was a case-control study that involved two groups. Group 1 is 20 healthy control, and group 2 is 20 patients diagnosed with AV according to Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) and received 20 mg ISO for 2 months. Before and after therapy, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was applied to assess each participant's level of depression. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ĸB), biotinidase, high mobility group box protein (HMGB1), nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, and pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP-3) were measured in serum samples.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in all measured markers of healthy group before and after 2 months. Regarding group 2, there was a statistically significant decrease in all measured markers after 2 months of treatment and significant correlations between GAGS, NF-ĸB, HMGB1, NLRP3, biotinidase, and depression score.
CONCLUSION
Increased GAGS, HMGB1, NLRP3, and biotinidase were associated with depression severity in AV patients and ISO treatment significantly reduced these parameters and reduced depressive symptoms.
PubMed: 38923374
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.16433