Sebum Excretion and Sebum Composition in Adolescent Men With and Without Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

The sebum excretion rate, sebaceous count and the chemical composition of the sebum have been determined in 10 young men without or with minimal acne vulgaris and 20 young men with gross acne vulgaris. No significant relation between the sebum excretion rate and the presence of acne was found. Significant differences were found in the triglyceride and the aliphatic alcohol wax ester contents of sebum from the 2 groups. The results are discussed in relation to current ideas on the pathogenesis of acne.VARIOUS aspects of sebaceous gland function have been studied in subjects with and without acne vulgaris in an endeavour to provide some basis for understanding the pathogenesis of acne. Measures of the rate of lipid excretion, of the chemical composition of the lipid and of specific biocliemical activity have been made at different skin sites in a variety of subjects. Acne vulgaris is severe in late adolescence and occurs in certain well recognized areas of the skin. The sebaceous glands of these areas have relatively high rates of lipid excretion and their potential biochemical activity differs from the range of activity of sebaceous glands elsewhere (Milne, 1969). The incidence of acne vulgaris is high in the Caucasoid male population. Some females with acne in this population group show exacerbations related to menstruation.In order to reduce the number of factors affecting sebaceous gland function the present study has been hmited to the sebaceous glands of the mid-forehead in males (Scotsmen) aged 15 to 20 years. The density of lipid-excreting orifices, the rate of^ lipid excretion and the chemical composition of the lipid excreted have been determined in each subject. INVESTIGATIONSubjects.-Two groups of men in the age range 15 to 20 years have been studied. One group consisted of' 9 subjects completely free from acne vulgaris and one subject aged 17 years with a total of 3 comedones in the acne areas. None had any previous history of acne. The second group was composed of 20 subjects with gross acne vulgaris consisting of comedones, papules, pustules, and in some cases, cysts, involving most acne areas. The mid-forehead was free from acne at the time of investigation. None of these acne patients had taken tetracycline derivatives or received x-ray or u.v. radiation treatment during the 3 months preceding investigation. All subjects were at rest in a room temperature of 20-25° C. while sebum studios were made.Methods.-The sebum excretion rate and the sebaceous count were determined by the method of Strauss and Pochi (1961). Sebum was collected over a known period of 2 to 3 hr. from an area (12-5 cm.2) of the mid-forchcad of each subject and the amount estimated by direct weighing of the lipid. The sebum excretion rate was expressed as mg. per 10 cm.2 per 3 hi-, and this is the luiit used throughout this paper.

Colonization of Epidermal Tissue by Staphylococcus aureus Produces Localized Hypoxia and Stimulates Secretion of Antioxidant and Caspase-14 Proteins

“…The samples were rinsed with 0.1 M cacodylate buffer twice for 10 min and then treated with osmium tetroxide (2% in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer) overnight at 4°C. After osmium tetroxide treatment, which stains and fixes lipids (24)(25)(26), the samples were rinsed twice in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer for 10 min. The cacodylate buffer was removed, and the tissue samples were dehydrated in a series of ethyl alcohol dilutions (30%, 50%, 70%, 95%, and 100%).…”

Acne Vulgaris

“…At adrenarche, sebum production dramatically increases. Although the overall composition of sebum is the same in persons with or without acne, those with acne have variable seborrhea [19].…”

Fatores etiopatogênicos da acne vulgar

“…17 O colesterol e seus ésteres presentes no sebo são de origem epidérmica (glandular) e são liberados pela glândula conforme a fração de excreção sebácea de cada indivíduo. 18 Porém, os ácidos graxos livres vêm da hidrólise dos triglicérides, que é maior quanto maior for o tempo de exposição cutânea do sebo; 19 há diferença individual genética na composição dos ácidos graxos livres. 20 Os ácidos graxos que compõem os ácidos graxos livres e os triglicérides são, principalmente, o C14:0, C14:89, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0 e C18:1.…”

“…No entanto, a proporção de triglicérides no primeiro é de 46%-52%, contra 60%-68% no segundo, e a de ésteres de cera é maior entre os acnéicos (20%-26%) em relação aos não acnéicos (9%-12%). 19 Em estudo realizado na Nigéria, houve aumento significativo nos níveis de triglicérides e colesterol total e diminuição dos lípides cutâneos indeterminados (ácidos graxos livres + escaleno + ésteres de cera + diglicérides) entre os acnéi-cos. Talvez haja maior atividade enzimática bacteriana devido ao clima (úmido e quente). 25 Ultimamente, discute-se a participação dos áci-dos graxos livres na etipatogênese da acne vulgar.…”