Acne vulgaris: The metabolic syndrome of the pilosebaceous follicle

Clin Dermatol. 2018 Jan-Feb;36(1):29-40. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.09.006. Epub 2017 Sep 8.

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is an epidemic inflammatory disease of the human sebaceous follicle and represents the most common skin disease affecting about 85% of adolescents in Westernized populations. Acne vulgaris is primarily a disease of wealthy countries and exhibits higher prevalence rates in developed compared with developing countries. No acne has been found in non-Westernized populations still living under Paleolithic dietary conditions constraining hyperglycemic carbohydrates, milk, and dairy products. The high prevalence rates of adolescent acne cannot be explained by the predominance of genetic factors but by the influence of a Western diet that overstimulates the key conductor of metabolism, the nutrient- and growth factor-sensitive kinase mTORC1. Increased mTORC1 activity has been detected in lesional skin and sebaceous glands of acne patients compared with acne-free controls. Increased mTORC1 signaling is a characteristic feature of insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Acne vulgaris is a family member of mTORC1-driven diseases of civilization and represents the MetS of the sebaceous follicle.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acne Vulgaris / drug therapy
  • Acne Vulgaris / metabolism*
  • Androgens / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Diet, Western*
  • Hair Follicle / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 / metabolism*
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism
  • Oleic Acid / metabolism
  • Palmitic Acid / metabolism
  • Palmitic Acids / metabolism
  • Sebaceous Glands / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Squalene / metabolism
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Palmitic Acids
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
  • delta(6)-hexadecenoic acid
  • Oleic Acid
  • Palmitic Acid
  • Squalene
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1