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.
Department of Dermatology, Keçiören Research and Training Hospital, 06290 Keçiören, Ankara, Turkey. drayserem@yahoo.com
A S
AS
Karadag
D T
DT
Ertugrul
E
E
Tutal
K O
KO
Akin
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