Serum cardiotrophin-1 and interleukin-17 levels are elevated and correlate with disease severity in acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit influenced by innate and adaptive immune responses. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) and cardiotrophin-1, two mediators involved in inflammation and metabolic stress, have been proposed as potential contributors to acne pathophysiology. This study aimed to compare serum IL-17 and cardiotrophin-1 levels between acne patients and healthy controls and to assess their relationship with disease severity. In this study, 57 acne patients and 57 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum IL-17 and cardiotrophin-1 levels were measured by ELISA. Acne severity was classified using the Global Acne Grading System. Lipid profiles and hematological parameters were also assessed. Serum IL-17 and cardiotrophin-1 levels were significantly higher in the acne group compared to controls (p < 0.001). Within the patient cohort, the severe acne subgroup had significantly higher levels of both cytokines than the mild acne subgroup. A positive correlation was found between IL-17 and cardiotrophin-1 (r = 0.549, p < 0.001), and both were correlated with acne severity (cardiotrophin-1: r = 0.735; IL-17: r = 0.453; p < 0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for both biomarkers, with an AUC of 0.945 (95%CI:0.909–0.981) for cardiotrophin-1 and 0.904 (95%CI:0.852–0.956) for IL-17. Additionally, leukocyte, neutrophil, and platelet indices, as well as total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, were significantly elevated in patients. The elevated levels of IL-17 and cardiotrophin-1 and their correlation with disease severity suggest their potential role as inflammatory biomarkers in acne. ROC analysis showed strong discrimination, but acne is clinically diagnosed; biomarkers require multicenter, longitudinal validation.