Sebum: analysis by infrared spectroscopy. II. The suppression of fatty acids by systemically administered antibiotics

Effect of clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, and tetracycline on growth and extracellular lipase production by propionibacteria in vitro

“…pilosebaceous follicles and acne lesions (20), are closely associated with acne vulgaris. Broadspectrum antibiotics used in acne therapy are thought to decrease the numbers of viable P. acnes recovered from lesions and hence reduce the amount of free fatty acids in the sebum (2, 7,8,18). In these studies, however, bacteriological sampling methods have been used which do not necessarily represent the organisms of the pilosebaceous duct.…”

“…Improvement in acne is often achieved by long-term administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics which are thought to decrease the density of propionibacteria (1, 12,14) and hence reduce the free fatty acids in the sebum (7,18). At present, there are few reports describing the effects of antibiotics on propionibacteria in vitro, those that do exist being mainly concerned with the evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility (9,19).…”

“…Hydrolysis of sebum triglycerides by bacterial lipases, in particular those of propionibacteria (13,20), and the subsequent release of irritating free fatty acids in the pilosebaceous follicles has been proposed as a major factor in the formation of lesions in acne vulgaris (22). Improvement in acne is often achieved by long-term administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics which are thought to decrease the density of propionibacteria (1, 12, 14) and hence reduce the free fatty acids in the sebum (7,18). At present, there are few reports describing the effects of antibiotics on propionibacteria in vitro, those that do exist being mainly concerned with the evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility (9,19).…”

EEMCO Guidance for the in vivo Assessment of Skin Greasiness

“…Variations in sebum production and intake of drugs (e.g. retinoids, antibiotics) are likely associated with subtle changes in its molecular composition [12] which in turn may alter the cornification of the infundibu- lum and be a key feature for comedogenesis [13,14]. Other changes in the composition of the sebum have been ascribed to specific diseases such as AIDS [15].…”

Evaluation of the Quantitative and Qualitative Alterations in the Fatty Acid Contents of the Sebum of Patients with Inflammatory Acne during Treatment with Systemic Lymecycline and/or Oral Fatty Acid Supplementation

“…Antibiotics can alter the composition of the SB of patients with AV; tetracycline antibiotics are the most effective [15]. Lymecycline (LM; 150 mg–300 mg/day) is a semisynthetic derivative antibiotic of the tetracycline group [16, 17].…”