Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
Hok Bing Thio
Erasmus University Medical Center, Netherlands
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Clin Exp Dermatol Res
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) play a directive role in the pathogenesis of acne. Other bacteria of the skin microbiota such as the Staphylococcus epidermidis may join the P. acnes in causing the typical acne skin lesions. In addition the gut microbiota could also play a role in acne. This is probably the mode of action of systemic antibiotics in acne. One of the most prominent cells in the pathogenesis of acne is the sebocyte. As we know the sebocytes are stimulated and inhibited by several hormones, not only androgens but also glucocorticoids, progesterone, �²-endorphin, MSH and ACTH. Other stimulators of this sebaceous gland lipid synthesis are the lipid mediatorsâ�� endocannabinoids and linoleic acid, the TRP (V) channel agonists, capsaicin and growth factors including EGF and insulin. In countries with spicy dietary habits such as India, Thailand, Mexico, stimulation of the sebocyte by lipid mediators and/or capsaicin is more prominent. The sebocytes will then transform into lipid/sebum in a more rapid way causing overactive hypertrophic sebaceous glands. This indirectly results in higher numbers of P. acnes. Due to this P. acnes overpopulation a pro-inflammatory state will occur in the sebaceous gland. This will in turn stimulate the innate immune system especially the neutrophils and the Th17 (interleukin-17 producing T-helper lymphocytes). In acne systemic and topical retinoids are able to stimulate/inhibit several intracellular retinoid receptors in sebocytes and the inflammatory/immune cells including the Th17 cells. Not only active acne skin lesions but also acne scar formation could be under influence of specific dietary habits on the microbiota. The formation of cosmetically disfiguring acne scar lesions is not only dependent of the function of the fibroblast but also of the neighboring mast cell which can stimulate the fibroblast by the paracrine action of histamine. Several spices and spicy substances are rich in histamine and histamine-releasers. So the acne patient with spicy dietary habits is probably more prone to formation of more disfiguring acne scar lesions.
Email: h.thio@erasmusmc.nl