Insulin-like Growth Factor 1, DHEA, DHT and Acne
in Adult Women.
Title: Correlation between serum levels of insulin-like
growth factor 1, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and dihydrotestosterone
and acne lesion counts in adult women
Authors: Cappel M, Mauger D, Thiboutot D.
Publication: Arch Dermatol. 2005 Mar;141(3):333-8.
In this study, the authors enrolled 16 patients with acne and
18 without and measured the levels of insulin-like growth factor
1 (IGF-1) and androgens or male sex hormones in their blood. When
adjusted for age, high levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS),
dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and IGF-1 were found in women with
acne than those without. Similarly, high androstenedione and DHEAS
levels, but not serum or blood levels of IGF-1, were found in
men with acne than those without.
When the levels of IGF-1 was compared in men and women with acne,
it was found that those with more acne lesions have higher IGF-1
and androgen levels, therefore the author concluded that increased
IGF-1 levels may also influence acne, especially in women.
