Increased hydrogen peroxide generation by neutrophils from patients with acne inflammation.
BACKGROUND
Reactive oxygen species generated by neutrophils are closely correlated with the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory skin diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of reactive oxygen species generated by neutrophils in the mediation of acne inflammation.


METHODS
Bacterial phagocytotic stimuli, mediated by opsonin activity, were applied to whole blood, and neutrophil hydrogen peroxide production was measured.


RESULTS
Patients with acne inflammation showed a significantly increased level of hydrogen peroxide produced by neutrophils compared to patients with acne comedones and healthy controls. There were no marked differences in the level of hydrogen peroxide produced by neutrophils between patients with acne comedones and healthy controls. In addition, patients with acne inflammation treated by oral administration of minocycline hydrochloride, a drug that inhibits hydrogen peroxide generation by neutrophils, showed a significant decrease in the ability of neutrophils to produce hydrogen peroxide in accordance with a decrease in the inflammatory activity of acne lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study seems to suggest that acne inflammation is mediated in part by hydrogen peroxide generation by neutrophils.
Akamatsu
Hirohiko
H
Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan. akamatsu@fujita-hu.ac.jp
Horio
Takeshi
T
Hattori
Kazuhiro
K
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D008911:Minocycline / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D008911:Minocycline