Changes in serum free testosterone, sleep patterns, and 5‐alpha‐reductase type I activity influence changes in sebum excretion in female subjects. Issue 1 (28th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bissonnette, R.; Risch, J. E.; McElwee, K. J.; Marchessault, P.; Bolduc, C.; Nigen, S.; Maari, C.
• Is Part Of: Skin research and technology. Volume 21:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2014-08-28
• Subjects: Skin -- Research -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Skin -- Physiology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/srt.12155
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0909-752X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="srt12155-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="srt12155-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background/Purpose</title> <p>Sebum is thought to play an important role in acne vulgaris and sebum excretion rate (SER) is often used as a marker of efficacy in acne studies. This study explored factors that could induce intra‐subject variability in SER.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt12155-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>SER was measured twice, 7 days apart, on the forehead of 40 healthy subjects. At each visit, the following parameters were also evaluated: serum androgen levels, 5‐alpha‐reductase type I gene expression, forehead temperature, sleep habits, diet, facial washing routine, and UV exposure.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt12155-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>There was a positive correlation between the time subjects fell asleep on Day 0 and the change in SER for the left (<italic>P</italic> = 0.010; <italic>R</italic> = 0.402) and right sides (<italic>P</italic> = 0.002; <italic>R</italic> = 0.467) of the forehead. There was a significant inverse correlation between SER and 5‐alpha‐reductase type 1 expression and between free testosterone levels and 5‐alpha‐reductase type 1 expression. In sub‐analyses performed on men and women, these correlations were only significant for women.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt12155-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Variations in sleep patterns, free testosterone, and 5‐alpha‐reductase type 1 activity are associated with changes in sebum excretion in women. This could explain some of the inter‐subject variability in SER measured between visits in clinical studies.</p> </sec> </abstract>