Hormonal Therapy for Acne Using Oral Contraceptive Pills

Effects of Exercise Combined with Finasteride on Hormone and Ovarian Function in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats

Exercise can reduce androgen and insulin levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. Finasteride is also presumed to improve the developing follicle environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to observe the effects of the combination of exercise and finasteride therapy on hormone levels and ovarian morphology in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome. Forty female rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8 each group): the PCOS sedentary group (P-Sed), PCOS exercise group (P-Ex), PCOS finasteride and sedentary group (P-FSed), and PCOS finasteride and exercise group (P-FEx), and healthy, age-matched rats were used as controls (CO). The results indicated that the levels of FINS in the P-FEx group were significantly lower than those in the P-Sed and P-FSed groups, while the ratio of fasting blood glucose (FBG)/fasting serum levels of insulin (FINS) in the P-FEx group was significantly higher than that in the P-Sed and P-FSed groups. Compared to the P-FEx group, serum levels of TT (total testosterone) in the P-Sed and P-FSed groups were significantly increased. The thickness of the follicular membrane and the number of atresia follicles in the P-FEx and CO groups were significantly lower than those in the P-Sed group, but there was no significant difference between the P-Ex and P-Sed groups. These results show that the combined usage of exercise and finasteride does not alter the effects of exercise on increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing androgen levels. There is also a synergistic effect of exercise and finasteride on the morphology of the ovary, including a reduced number of atresia follicles and thickness of the follicular membrane.

Tissue and blood superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehyde levels in different clinical severities of acne vulgaris

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is one of the commonest dermatological diseases and its pathogenesis is multifactorial.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the role of oxidative stress in acne vulgaris and to determine a possible link with the clinical severity.

METHODS

Twenty-three patients with different grades of acne vulgaris and 23 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured spectrophotometrically at tissue and blood levels.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in SOD activities and MDA levels between patients and controls. However, significant differences were found in patients with severe acne in comparison with those with mild and moderate acne. Moreover, comparison between different patient subgroups and controls revealed statistically significantly higher SOD activities in patients with mild acne in comparison with patients with moderate and severe acne, and with controls. Furthermore, severe acne showed statistically significantly lower SOD activities and higher MDA levels when compared with other patient subgroups and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Oxidative stress exists in patients with acne vulgaris and may play a role in aetiopathogenesis and/or progression of the disease. The addition of drugs with antioxidative effects seems to be valuable in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Treatment of hirsutism and acne in hyperandrogenism

Hirsutism and acne are common and highly distressing complaints in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Drugs are only partially effective on terminalized hairs, and removal of these hairs is usually required. Therefore, management of hirsutism is generally based upon a dual approach: a pharmacological therapy to reduce androgen secretion and/or androgen action, and removal of terminal hair already present. Ovarian suppression of androgen secretion with oral contraceptives is widely used in these women, but its efficacy appears limited. The most effective medical therapy for hirsutism is by anti-androgen drugs. Electrolysis and laser photothermolysis are considered the most effective cosmetic procedures, although the effects of these methods should not be considered permanent. Acne may be treated with different tools, according to the severity of the condition and other characteristics of the patient. These tools include topical and systemic retinoids and antibiotics, topical antibacterial agents, androgen suppression by oral contraceptives, and anti-androgen drugs.