Serum level of apelin-12 in acne patients: is it a marker of disease severity?

Abstract

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common multifactorial chronic inflammatory skin disease which is often associated with metabolic and hormonal factors. Our aim was to detect the level of serum apelin-12 in acne cases and to assess its correlation with body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance (IR) and acne severity. Ninety individuals were included in this case-control study, comprising 60 acne patients and 30 age-and sex-matched healthy controls. Clinical evaluation included BMI, waist circumference, and evaluation of the severity of acne by using the Global Acne Grading Scale (GAGS). Laboratory tests included serum apelin-12, serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin, and complete lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). IR was assessed by using Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance index (HOMA-IR). Serum levels of apelin-12 in acne patients was found to be significantly higher than in healthy controls (P = 0.000*). Apelin-12 level increased with acne severity assessed by GAGS and was positively correlated with BMI, FBG, fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR. TG, cholesterol and LDL levels were also higher in acne patients compared to controls, while HDL levels were lower. A significant association was found between acne severity and IR, suggesting that IR plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AV. Serum apelin-12 can be utilized as a probable indicator for severity of acne. Its level is associated with IR, BMI and the inflammatory status of acne. The significant association among acne severity and IR highlighted that detection and management of IR may contribute positively to acne treatment.