The role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris

Background Acne vulgaris (AV) is a persistent inflammatory skin condition most commonly affecting teenagers and young adults. AV pathogenesis is a multifactorial process in which inflammation plays a significant role. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide that participates in inflammation and vasodilation. Emerging evidence suggests that CGRP may contribute to the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin conditions such as AV. Objective This study assesses CGRP serum levels in patients with AV and analyses its possible influence on acne severity. Patients and methods With the exclusion of patients receiving neurotropic drugs within the past year, patients who were undergoing any form of systemic medical treatment for acne for a minimum of 3 months before the beginning of the study, a case-control study was carried out, including 40 patients with AV and 40 apparently healthy controls matched by age and sex. Serum CGRP levels were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and correlated with acne severity based on standardized clinical grading. Results Patients with AV exhibited significantly higher serum CGRP levels than controls ( P <0.001). Moreover, CGRP levels showed a positive correlation with acne severity. Conclusion Elevated CGRP levels in acne patients indicate that CGRP might play a role in the inflammatory processes underlying AV. Targeting CGRP could be explored as a potential therapeutic approach for acne management. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved.