Tissue liver X-receptor-a (LXRa) level in acne vulgaris

Background Increased sebum lipogenesis by the sebaceous gland is the major factor in the pathophysiology of acne. Liver X receptor-a (LXRa) have been recognized in the regulation of genes involved in lipid biosynthesis. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of LXRa in inflammatory versus noninflammatory acne lesions. Patients and methods Seventeen patients with inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions and 16 controls were included in the study. Punch skin biopsy samples were taken from the acne lesions and from the normal skin of the volunteers for detection of gene expression of LXRa by reverse transcriptase-PCR. Results mRNA LXRa was significantly higher in lesional skin, whether inflammatory (1188.52± 129.5 mg/mg) or comedonal (892.52 ± 66.08 mg/mg), compared with control skin (600.50 ± 95.30 mg/mg) (P value 0.001). The level of LXRa mRNA was significantly higher in inflammatory acne than in comedonal acne (P value 0.001). Conclusion It is suggested that LXRa may have a role in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris itself and is not a consequence of inflammation. It may play a role in the progression of the disease from comedonal to inflammatory.