Evaluation of Serum Lipocalin-2 Level and Its Relation to Insulin Resistance in Patients with Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit. It is characterized by the formation of non-inflammatory comedones and inflammatory papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is an attractive biomarker of inflammation, ischemia, infection, and kidney damage.

The current study aimed to evaluate serum Lipocalin-2 levels in inflammatory acne vulgaris patients and to reveal the possible relation between its serum levels and the insulin resistance status in acne patients.

The study included 60 patients suffering from inflammatory acne vulgaris and 60 healthy control subjects. Full general and dermatological examination were performed, recording of BMI, GAGS score was done. Then, measurement of fasting insulin and fasting glucose was performed to calculate HOMA-IR.

Serum lipocalin-2, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels were significantly higher in acne patients compared to control subjects.

Inflammatory acne vulgaris patients have higher levels of serum lipocalin-2 which might be related to acne pathogenesis.