There have been controversial arguments and conflicting research results on whether
oxidaiive stress plays a role in the etiopathbgenesis of acne vulgaris, or rt is just a
consequence of the disease.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to explore the effect of oxtdative stress burden, mainly lipid;
perowdation, on the oxidant-antioxidant balance and on the development of acne by
studying the activity pf some oxidative stress markers^ -
Patients and methods;
This studywas conducted on 40 acne vulgaris patients and 36 age-matched and sexmatched
heahhy controls. Patients were classified into mild, moderate, severe, and
very severe on ihe basis of the GlobalAcne Grading System. Venous blood samples
taken from both patients and controls were analyzed to determine the activity of the
antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), cataiase (CAT), and glucose-6-
phosphate dehydrogenase (G6P0); tile levels ofmalondiaidehyde (MDA), anrajorby
product and an importantmarker of lipid peroxidation, were also determined. ^Different^,
laboratory techniques suitable for each marker Were used and the results were read
spectrophotometrically.
Resultsi
A highly significant decrease in the mean blood G6PD, CAT, and SOD enzyme •;• : ;
activities (P<0.001) and a highly significant increase in the mean MDA (P<0.001)
blood levels were detected in acne patients compared with controls. None of the -•
measured m^kers (G6PD, SOD,CAT, aund MDA)was found to correlatewith pat^nts' :
age, disease duration, or severity (P>0.05).i
Conclusion
The significant decrease in the antioxidant enzyme biomarkers, as well as the
significant increase in the lipid peroxidation marker, indicates the compromised , :
oxidant-antioxidant balance in patientswith acne vulgaris. This justifies adding
antioxidants to acne therapy and calls for finding amultibiomarker scoring system for a
better evaluation and monitoring of oxidative stress and its consequences.^ |
