Evaluation of Total Oxidant and Total Antioxidant Status in Patients with Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease and has a complex pathogenesis. There is no enough data related with oxidative stress in acne vulgaris. We purposed to assess total oxidant and total antioxidant status in acne vulgaris. We included 32 acne patients and 35 healthy controls in this study. Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) scores were calculated. Serum total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were evaluated and oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated by proportion of the TOS to the TAS. Mean GAGS scores of acne patients were 14.08 ± 5.72. Mean disease duration of acne patients was 33.97 ± 25.99 months. TAS, TOS and OSI were significantly higher in acne patients (p=0.010, p=0.021, p=0.015, respectively). TAS, TOS and OSI were not correlated with disease duration and GAGS scores (p>0.05). Both oxidant and antioxidant status increased in acne patients. The study showed that oxidative stress may play a role in pathogenesis of acne but it isn’t exactly known that is a cause or a result of acne. Advanced studies especially comparing mild to moderate and severe acne patients are required. In addition we consider that antioxidant agents may be beneficial in the treatment of acne.