Korean J Dermatol.  2008 May;46(5):619-626.

Clinical Manifestation and Elevated Serum Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) Levels with Post-adolescent Acne

• Shin MK
• Kim NI

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acne has been recognized as a common disorder amongst adolescents but recent studies have documented increased prevalence of post-adolescent acne.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate insulin resistance in post-adolescent acne by examining insulin, insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and insulin like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) compared to those in normal controls.
METHODS
Twenty-eight patients with acne between 25 and 45 years and 10 control individuals were studied. We classified the post-adolescent acne into persistent and late-onset types according to onset ages. We compared clinical features and the levels of fasting insulin, IGF-1, and IGFBP-3 in persistent and late-onset type of post-adolescent acne.
RESULTS
Among the post-adolescent group, there were few patients of metabolic syndrome. But, the mean serum levels of IGF-1 were significantly increased in post-adolescent acne compared to those in controls. Mean serum levels of IGFBP-3 were decreased in post-adolescent acne. Compared to persistent type, late-onset type showed more inflammatory acne lesions. Increased fasting insulin, IGF-1, and decreased IGFBP-3 in late-onset type compared to those in persistent type were observed.
CONCLUSION
Results of this study indicate that insulin resistance could have a role in pathogenesis of post-adolescent acne.

Keyword

IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor-1); Metabolic syndrome; Post-adolescent acne

MeSH Terms

Acne Vulgaris
Adolescent
Fasting
Humans
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Prevalence
Insulin
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I