The Role of Interleukin-1 Beta and Interleukin 8 in Acne Pathogenesis: A Serum-Based Severity Assessment

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a skin disorder affecting both sexes, starting at adolescence, and might continue into late adulthood. It is represented by a flare-up of nodular and postural lesions. Acne vulgaris patients with severe presentation suffer the consequences of skin scarring and disfigurement. Both Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and Interleukin 8 (IL-8) are pro-inflammatory cytokines that play a significant role in acne pathogenesis and disease progression. Objectives: To assess the serum level of interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 8 in acne patients and see how it correlates with the severity of the disease.Methods: It was a case–control study conducted from October 2024 to March 2025, with 60 acne vulgaris patients divided into two groups, mild and severe, with ages ranging from 14 to 25 years. The patients were seen in the Dermatology Center, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, The Medical City Complex, Baghdad, Iraq. Thirty healthy individuals of both sexes of similar age groups to the patients were recruited as controls in this study. A detailed history was taken, and clinical examination was performed on all the participants. For each participant, IL-1β and IL-8 were measured using the Enzyme‑Linked Immunosorbent Assay method and the results were statistically analyzed and tabulated.Results: The difference between the control and patient groups in regard to IL-1β and the difference between the patient groups themselves were not significant. Regarding IL-8, there was a significant difference between the control and patient groups and between the control and severe groups, while the difference between patient groups was highly significant.Conclusion: Blood quantification of Interleukin 8 proved useful in trying to assess the severity of acne vulgaris, while serum Interleukin 1 beta levels proved to be of no value in assessing the severity of Acne vulgaris.