Serum homocysteine level in Acne patients before and after oral Isotretinoin

Background and Aim: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit. Whatever the dosage of prescribed Isotretinoin, follow-up of the levels of homocysteine is beneficial for the patients in order to prevent hyperhomocysteinaemia and associated complications. This study is aimed to measure the serum level of homocysteine in acne patients before and after oral isotretinoin. Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional case control study that carried out on 60 individuals, 30 patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris, and 30 age-matching healthy volunteers as control group. The selected patients were assigned to receive 20mg of isotretinoin daily for 3 months.Results: There was no significant difference in serum levels of homocysteine, liver function test (SGOT, SGPT), total cholesterol and triglycerides between case and control groups before isotretinoin treatment. While, there was significant increase in serum level of homocysteine, liver function test (SGOT, SGPT), total cholesterol and triglycerides after 3 months of treatment with isotretinoin among acne cases.Conclusion: Serum level of homocysteine increased after 3 months of isotretinoin treatment, which could be due liver dysfunction. So, evaluation of homocysteine, was beneficial for acne patients before they started isotretinoin treatment.