Assesment of ADMA, IMA, Vitamin A and E Levels in Patients with Acne Vulgaris

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease in adolescents known to be associated with oxidative stress. However, the number of studies in which oxidative stress and antioxidants are evaluated together is limited.

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway metabolites, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), vitamin A and E levels in patients with acne and its association with disease severity.

Methods: Ninety patients with acne and 30 healthy adults were included in the study. The serum levels of L-arjinin, arginine metabolites, IMA, vitamin A and E measured in patient and control group.

Results: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), LN^G -monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and IMA levels were significantly higher in the patients with acne than in the control group (p ˂ 0.05). The L-arginine / ADMA ratio, and citrulline and vitamin A levels were significantly lower in patients with acne than those of the controls (p ˂ 0.05). ADMA and IMA plasma levels were increased in parallel with the disease severity (p ˂ 0.05). L-arginine / ADMA ratio, L-arginine, citrulline and vitamin A plasma levels decreased as the disease became severe (p ˂ 0.05). Although arginine and vitamin E levels were lower in the patient group compared to the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (p ˃ 0.05).

Conclusion: These results suggest that IMA and L-arginine - NO pathway associated with ischemia and oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of acne vulgaris.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris; Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA); Ischemia modified albumin (IMA); Oxidative stress; Vitamin A; Vitamin E.