The effect of Isotretinoin on oxidative stress in Severe acne vulgaris patients

Abstract

Objective: Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases including acne vulgaris. Isotretinoin (Iso), which is accepted to be the most effective medication in the treatment of nodulocystic acne, has a number of adverse effects related to OS. The aim of this study was to enlighten the disputed role of OS in the pathogenesis of acne and the effects of Iso on OS. Material and Methods: Fifty patients with nodulocystic acne who were receiving Iso and fifty healthy controls were included in the study. Blood samples were obtained from patients before and on the 45th day of treatment and once from the controls. Serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were measured spectrophotometrically and oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated as a ratio of TOS to TAC. Results: Before Iso, serum TOS levels and OSI values were significantly lower in the patients compared to the controls (p=0.004 and p=0.006, respectively). On the other hand, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups for TAC levels (p=0.285). When the values of patients before and after the treatment were compared, it was revealed that serum TOS levels and OSI values had significantly increased (p=0.035 and p=0.043, respectively), yet, TAC levels were not statistically different (p=0.308). Conclusion: These results suggest that OS is decreased in patients with acne. Besides, Iso's exact mechanism of action on OS remains somewhat obscure. Further studies are required to clarify the relationship between acne, Iso and OS. © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri.