Assessment of Serum Lactoferrin Level in Patients with Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

cne vulgaris is a multifactorial inflammatory skin disease of the pilosebaceous follicle, caused by both host and environmental factors and microbial components. The pathogenesis of acne is thought to involve an interplay between a number of factors, including excess androgenic stimulation and sebum hypersecretion, abnormal differentiation, proliferation and hyperkeratinization of the epidermal keratinocytes, especially those lining the duct region of the sebaceous unit. Lactoferrin level was measured to determine its level in acne patients in comparison with healthy controls. Results revealed significant difference in serum lactoferrin levels between acne patients and controls; being higher in the former group. The rise in lactoferrin was 1.5-fold higher in mild acne cases and 3.5 fold higher in severe acne cases. To our knowledge this is the first study to assess serum lactoferrin level in acne patients. The plasma levels lactoferrin may be influenced by the size of the neutrophil pool, and by its functional activity, shown by secretion of granule contents. The increase in serum lactoferrin level in acne seems to be linked to the presentation. LF has anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting several pro-inflammatory. Lactoferrin seems to be an inflammatory marker.it was found that the inflammatory response generates chemotactic substances, which trigger the mobilization and activation of the inflammatory cells which may play a crucial role in the clinical evolution of acne (Ward et al., 2005). In this study there was a significant increase in lactoferrin in severe more than mild acne cases.