Inflammatory Changes, Androgen and Retinoid Receptors Expression in Acne Patients Treated with Isotretinoin

Overview

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous unit affecting only humans. Isotretinoin, a member of retinoid family, has shown marked efficacy in systemic treatment of serious forms of acne and possesses a direct anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of the present study was to assess inflammatory changes and expression of androgen receptor (AR) and retinoid X receptor α in skin biopsies of patients before and after six-month isotretinoin (Roaccutane^®) therapy in comparison to untreated acne patients and healthy skin controls. Forty cases were studied using standard indirect immunohistochemical method. Significant decrease of HLA-DR antigens expression in patients treated with isotretinoin was found. Reduced AR expression was not found after 6–month therapy. Despite slightly decreased expression of androgen receptor in treated group the changes before and after treatment were not significant. No changes in retinoid X receptor α were found. Therefore it seems probable that similarly to local therapy systemic treatment does not influence RXRα expression. We assume that anti-inflammatory effect of retinoids in acne treatment depends on reduction of HLA-DR antigens expression.

Key words:
acne – isotretinoin – inflammation – androgen receptor – retinoid X receptor α