Acne Vulgaris Flashcards
What is acne vulgaris?
Common disorder of the pilosebaceous unit primarily seen in adolescents.
What is the most notable factor that affects acne?
Testosterone
What are the lamellar granules?
Oil synthesizing cells that form protective layer to protect against infection
What do melanocytes do?
Form pigment
What are merkel cells?
Sensory cells that respond to touch; connected to sensory neuron
What does the epidermis extend into?
Hair follicle
Within what unit does acne occur?
Pilosebaceous unit
What are the four key elements of pathogenesis in acne vulgaris?
- Follicular epidermal hyperproliferation
- Sebum production
- Presence and activity of Propionibacterium acnes/Cutibacterium acnes
- Inflammation and immune response
What are the clinical features of acne?
- Comedones (clogged pores)
- Papules
- Pustules
- Nodules on face, chest, and back
What type of comedome is a blackhead?
Open
What type of comedome is a whitehead?
Closed
What is important to know about pustules?
Infection involved
What is important to know about cysts?
Bacterial growth and tissue erosion
Name the steps of progression to a pimple
- Microcomedone
- Comedone
- Inflammatory papule or pustule
- Nodule
What are noteworthy features about the microcomedone?
- Hyperkeratotic infundibulum (by the opening)
- Sebum secretion
What are noteworthy features about the comedone?
- Accumulation of shed corneocytes and sebum
- Dilation of follicular ostium
What are noteworthy features about the inflammatory papule or pustule?
- Further expansion of follicular unit
- Proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes
- Perifollicular inflammation
What are noteworthy features about the nodule?
- Rupture of follicular wall
- Marked perifollicular inflammation
- Scarring caused by erosion of tissue
What is something that regulates follicular keratinocyte proliferation?
Linoleic acid (essential fatty acid in the skin) - low levels can induce follicular keratinocyte hyperproliferation and the production of proinflammatory cytokines
Are linoleic acid levels decreased, increased, or normal in patients with acne?
Decreased
When do linoleic acid levels normalize in patients with acne?
After successful treatment with isotretinoin (vitamin A derivative, linoleic acid)
What hormones are significant promotors of cell proliferation, hyperkeratinization, sebum, and acne?
Androgens (testosterone and DHEA)
What does DHEA stand for?
Dehydroepiandrosterone
What stimulates the ovary to make androstenedione (which can then be made into testosterone or estrogen)?
FSH and LH
What stimulates the adrenal gland (which can eventually make testosterone or DHEA)?
ACTH
What are the pharmacologic mechanisms for acne treatment?
- Reduce inflammation
- Reduce cell proliferation/cohesion (sticks to itself)/keratinization
- Reduce sebum production
- Reduce bacterial population
What type of agent is benzoyl peroxide?
Topical
What does benzoyl peroxide do?
- Generates reactive oxygen species, which bombards bacteria with electrons and can be bacteriocidal (unpaired electron is bacteriocidal!)
*Dissolves keratin, opens pores, and allows sebum to drain
How is benzoyl peroxide used?
Used in combination with antibiotics and with adapalene (retinoid - this is the only retinoid it can be used with)
What is an alternative use for benzoyl peroxide?
BPO is a bleach! Can be used as a teeth whitener
What is azelaic acid?
Dicarboxylic acid (produced by plants following a wound); white powder component of a cream
What does azelaic acid treat?
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Skin spots
What is the MOA of azelaic acid?
Unknown! What we do know:
* Antibacterial activity, maybe by inhibiting protein synthesis
* Inhibits keratin synthesis
* Inhibits tyrosinase enzyme necessary for skin pigment
* Inhibits a hyperactive protease activity that converts cathelicidin into antimicrobial skin peptide LL-37