Levels of several inflammatory cytokines in acne patients before and after isotretinoin therapy: a randomized, controlled clinical trial

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, and the inflammatory cytokines play a significant role in its pathophysiology. At present, oral isotretinoin is considered as the most effective treatment for acne. However, its specific anti-inflammatory mechanisms are only partially understood. The research included 75 patients with acne severity levels II, III and IV together with 25 healthy participants in this prospective controlled clinical trial. Patients received 20 mg/day oral isotretinoin for eight weeks. The research team evaluated inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-8, IL-36, TNF-α, TSLP, and TWEAK) at the beginning and end of the study. The levels of IL-8, IL-36, TNF-α, TSLP, and TWEAK were found to be significantly higher in acne patients as compared to controls (p < 0.05). IL-8, IL-36, and TWEAK levels were found to be significantly decreased after 8 weeks of isotretinoin treatment (p < 0.05). There was no correlation found between the severity of acne and inflammatory cytokine levels (p > 0.05). The anti-inflammatory effects of isotretinoin in acne patients result from its ability to decrease serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-36, TNF-α, TSLP, and TWEAK).