title: Isotretinoin influences pituitary hormone levels in acne patients.
abstract: Besides suppressing sebum production, the exact mechanism of action of isotretinoin in acne vulgaris is not known. Several hormones have been linked to the pathogenesis of acne. In this study, we investigated the effects of isotretinoin on the pituitary-adrenal axis, whose activity may be increased in acne. Various hormone systems were evaluated before and after 3 months of isotretinoin treatment in 47 acne patients. Free triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody levels decreased significantly during isotretinoin treatment (p < 0.001, p < 0.02 and p < 0.02, respectively), as did those of luteinising hormone, prolactin and total testosterone (p < 0.005), as well as morning cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively). We conclude that isotretinoin causes mild suppression of pituitary hormone levels, which may be beneficial for tackling the pathogenesis of acne.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yuzuncu Yil University, Ankara, Turkey. drayserem@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ayse Serap
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Karadag
authors.forename: Derun Taner
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Ertugrul
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tutal
authors.forename: Kadir Okhan
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Akin
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D015474:Isotretinoin; D006854:Hydrocortisone