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[Green Gables]

Keywords:

• acne;
• insulin-like growth factor-1;
• insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3;
• isotretinoin

Summary Background  Isotretinoin is an effective treatment for acne vulgaris. However, it has numerous side-effects. It was previously reported that serum growth hormone (GH) levels decreased with isotretinoin treament.


Objectives  To analyse whether isotretinoin has any effects on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) and GH levels.


Methods  Forty-seven patients aged 21·5 ± 5·1 years (mean ± SD) with acne vulgaris were included in this study. Isotretinoin therapy was initiated at a dose of 0·5–0·75 mg kg⁻¹ daily and then adjusted to 0·88 mg kg⁻¹ daily as maintenance dosage after 1 month. Screening for biochemical and hormonal parameters was performed just before initiation and after 3 months of isotretinoin treatment.


Results  IGF-1 and IGFBP3 levels decreased significantly after treatment (P <0·01), while GH levels did not change. Post-treatment, significant increases were seen in aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P <0·0001) while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly decreased (P <0·0001).

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09618.x/abstract;jsessionid=ABABA7E8B3DD37412651CFC74757F097.d04t01?userIsAuthenticated=false&deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=

[alternativista]

The detrimental affects to the lipid profile is news to me. I wonder for how long this life threatening affect lasts.

I'll have to get mine checked. Although I know my total cholesterol level is good but that doesn't mean much. Kit was a free test to promote the services of one of those clinics opening up supermarkets and drugstores to supplement our ridiculously expensive sickcare system.

Edited by alternativista, 23 October 2012 - 07:41 AM.