Skin expression of mammalian target of rapamycin and forkhead box transcription factor O1, and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 in patients with acne vulgaris and their relationship with diet.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial disorder of the pilosebaceous units. Several studies have reported that insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, forkhead box transcription factor (Fox)O1 and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) interactions may be the key to understanding the links between genetic and environmental factors in acne vulgaris. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the immunohistochemical detection of mTOR and FoxO1 in the skin, and the serum level of IGF-1 in patients with acne vulgaris. METHODS: This study was carried out on 60 participants, including 40 patients with acne and 20 controls. A diet questionnaire was administered to the patients and controls. Serum levels of IGF-1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and skin biopsies were taken from lesions on the backs of the patients and controls. FoxO1 and mTOR expression was detected using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A significantly higher serum IGF-1 level was found in the patients with acne than in the controls. The cytoplasmic expression of FoxO1 was found to be significantly greater in the acne group, whereas in the control subjects this expression was likely to be nuclear. Both the cytoplasmic expression and the nuclear expression of mTOR were significantly more intense in the patients with acne than in the controls. Excess consumption of a high-glycaemic-load diet was significantly associated with higher serum levels of IGF-1 and cytoplasmic expression of FoxO1 and mTOR. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that FoxO1, mTOR, serum IGF-1 and a high-glycaemic-load diet may play a role in acne pathogenesis.

Clinical and histopathological comparison of microneedling combined with platelets rich plasma versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) laser 2940 nm in treatment of atrophic post traumatic scar: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Different modalities have been tried for treating atrophic post traumatic scars. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of microneedling combined with PRP with that of fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) laser in treating post-traumatic atrophic scars. METHODS: Forty-five patients with atrophic post traumatic scars were subdivided into three groups. Group I was subjected to four sessions of skin microneedling followed by topical application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) immediately after each session. Group II was subjected to the same protocol of treatment but for six sessions. Group III was subjected to four sessions of fractional Er: YAG laser at 4 weeks intervals for four sessions. Response to treatment was assessed clinically using the Quartile Grading Scale and histopathologically using H&E stain, trichrome and Orcein special stains. RESULTS: All patients showed significant clinical improvement regardless of the treatment. There was a significant difference in clinical and histopathological improvement between groups I and III, but there was no significant difference in improvement neither between groups I and II nor between groups II and III. CONCLUSION: microneedling could be as effective as a fractional laser when combined with PRP and when used for more sessions.