Serum level of Apelin-12 in acne patients: Is it a marker of disease severity?

Background Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common inflammatory skin condition often associated with metabolic and hormonal factors. Our aim to assess the role of serum apelin-12 in acne and its correlation with body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance (IR) and acne severity. Patients and Methods: Ninety individuals were included in this case control study, comprising 60 acne patients and 30 age and sex matched healthy controls. Detailed history was taken. Clinical evaluations included BMI, waist circumference, and assessment of acne severity using the Global Acne Grading Scale (GAGS). Laboratory tests measured serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin, serum apelin-12 and complete lipid profile. Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed using HOMA-IR. Results Acne patients had significantly higher serum apelin-12 levels (121.36 ± 51.63) compared to controls (73.48 ± 18.98) (p = 0.000*). Apelin-12 level increased with acne severity assessed by GAGS and was positively correlated with BMI, FBG, fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR. Triglycerides (TG), cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were also higher in acne patients compared to controls, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were lower. A significant association was found between acne severity and IR, suggesting that IR plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AV. Conclusion This study suggests serum apelin-12 as a potential marker for acne severity, with its level correlated with BMI, IR and the inflammatory state of acne. The significant correlation between acne severity and IR highlights the importance of managing IR in treatment of acne.