Short-term isotretinoin treatment decreases insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels: does isotretinoin affect growth hormone physiology?
BACKGROUND
Isotretinoin is an effective treatment for acne vulgaris. However, it has numerous side-effects. It was previously reported that serum growth hormone (GH) levels decreased with isotretinoin treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To analyse whether isotretinoin has any effects on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) and GH levels.


METHODS
Forty-seven patients aged 21.5 +/- 5.1 years (mean +/- SD) with acne vulgaris were included in this study. Isotretinoin therapy was initiated at a dose of 0.5-0.75 mg kg(-1) daily and then adjusted to 0.88 mg kg(-1) daily as maintenance dosage after 1 month. Screening for biochemical and hormonal parameters was performed just before initiation and after 3 months of isotretinoin treatment.


RESULTS
IGF-1 and IGFBP3 levels decreased significantly after treatment (P < 0.01), while GH levels did not change. Post-treatment, significant increases were seen in aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P < 0.0001) while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Isotretinoin therapy may have an effect on GH physiology, and further studies are needed to understand this association.
Karadag
A S
AS
Department of Dermatology, Keçiören Research and Training Hospital, 06290 Keçiören, Ankara, Turkey. drayserem@yahoo.com
Ertugrul
D T
DT
Tutal
E
E
Akin
K O
KO
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D015474:Isotretinoin