title: A double-blind study of the effects of 13-cis-retinoic acid on acne, sebum excretion rate and microbial population.
abstract: Forty-eight acne patients were treated orally with 13-cis-retinoic acid in a double-blind dose response study. There was a marked clinical improvement with a concomitant reduction in sebum excretion rate (SER) and production rate of free fatty acids (FFA). Microbial numbers decreased significantly; the decrease in propionibacteria was greater than that of aerobic bacteria. The decline in micro-organisms occurred after the reduction in sebum and FFA production. This suggests that the effect of the drug upon micro-organisms is secondary to the change in sebum excretion but it is nevertheless an important factor in the resolution of the acne.
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin; D008297:Male; D012629:Sebum / Q000187:drug effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D014212:Tretinoin; D015474:Isotretinoin