Plasma dermcidin levels in acne patients, and the effect of isotretinoin treatment on dermcidin levels

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit. Dermcidin (DCD) is an antimicrobial peptide released from eccrine sweat glands and sebaceous glands. Studies investigating the role of DCD expression in acne development are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between DCD expression and acne vulgaris and the effect of oral isotretinoin treatment on DCD levels. Two groups (one patient group and one control group) were included in the study. The patient group consisted of 30 patients with acne vulgaris who were given oral isotretinoin treatment for 6 months until the cumulative dose was attained. Plasma DCD levels were investigated before and 6 months after treatment. The control group comprised 30 volunteer individuals without acne vulgaris or any inflammatory dermatosis. Of the patients, 24 (80%) had Grade 3, 3 (10%) had Grade 1, and 3 (10%) had Grade 4 acne vulgaris, as determined according to the Pillsbury scoring method. The DCD levels in the control group were significantly higher than those in pretreatment patients (39.53 +/- 20.2 vs. 28.60 +/- 20.12, p = .004). Additionally, pretreatment DCD levels were significantly increased after 6 months of isotretinoin treatment in the patient group (28.60 +/- 20.12 vs. 35.07 +/- 24.02, p = .012). The mean pretreatment global acne grading system score of 20.86 +/- 4.43 was decreased to 5.17 +/- 1.91 in patients after treatment (p<.001). This study indicated that DCD plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acne. It demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties in acne vulgaris. Moreover, it was shown that isotretinoin treatment may improve acne vulgaris by increasing DCD levels.