Clinical and histological effect of a low glycaemic load diet in treatment of acne vulgaris in Korean patients: a randomized, controlled trial

Acta Derm Venereol. 2012 May;92(3):241-6. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1346.

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that dietary factors, specifically glycaemic load, may be involved in the pathogenesis of acne. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and histological effects on acne lesions of a low glycaemic load diet. A total of 32 patients with mild to moderate acne were randomly assigned to either a low glycaemic load diet or a control group diet, and completed a 10-week, parallel dietary intervention trial. Results indicate successful lowering of the glycaemic load. Subjects within the low glycaemic group demonstrated significant clinical improvement in the number of both non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne lesions. Histopathological examination of skin samples revealed several characteristics, including reduced size of sebaceous glands, decreased inflammation, and reduced expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, and interleukin-8 in the low glycaemic load group. A reduction in glycaemic load of the diet for 10 weeks resulted in improvements in acne.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acne Vulgaris / diet therapy*
  • Acne Vulgaris / metabolism
  • Acne Vulgaris / pathology*
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Energy Intake
  • Female
  • Glycemic Index
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Republic of Korea
  • Sebaceous Glands / pathology
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Interleukin-8
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta