title: Role of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I in hyperandrogenism and the severity of acne vulgaris in young males.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association of growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) in the production of male sex hormones   and the severity of acne in Iraqi male patients, and to assess their role in development of secondary hyperlipidemia in such patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted this case-control study and single-center measurement of hormones and selected biochemical parameters in a cohort of volunteer males in the Department of Biochemistry College of Medicine, Baghdad University, and in the Dermatology Department, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq, from January 2010 to November 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum levels of GH and IGF-1 of severe acne patients were significantly increased when compared with mild-, moderate acne patients, and healthy controls (p=0.0001). Also, the mean serum total testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels were significantly increased in severe acne compared with those of mild- (p=0.0001), moderate acne patients (p=0.005), and healthy males (p=0.0001). The mean values of lipid parameters significantly differed in severe acne patients in comparison with other acne groups and controls (p=0.004). The results also revealed a significant correlation between the studied parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed a significant elevation of serum GH and IGF-1, which enhanced androgen hormone production and the development of severe acne. These patients may develop hyperlipidemia secondary to their hyperandrogenism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. basil_omsal@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Basil O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Saleh
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone