Stressful Events and Serum Concentration of Substance P in Acne Patients

Abstract

BackgroundPsychological stress is an important factor of acne pathogenesis. Stress related production of hormones, cytokines and neuropeptides may result in the chronic course and exacerbations of the disease.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between acne severity, intensity of emotional stress and serum concentration of substance P (scSP), to compare the intensity of adversities, psychological stress and scSP in acne patients with healthy controls and to compare coping techniques for stress.MethodsThe study consisted of 80 patients. Emotional stress was analyzed with the use of social readjustment rating scale, whereas the methods of coping with stress were assessed with the coping inventory for stressful situation questionnaire. The blood concentration of substance P was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in a group of 40 patients with acne vulgaris and in control subjects.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between the severity of acne and the intensity of stress. Acne patients presented a higher average scSP than the controls. No statistically significant correlation was observed between the severity of acne and scSP; however, the intensity of stress correlated with scSP in the control group. The evaluation of methods of coping with stress showed significantly higher rate for the avoidance-oriented coping among acne patients.ConclusionThe number of stressful events is not a factor that determines the severity of acne. The course of the disease may depend on tolerance to stress and methods of coping with stress.

The influence of exposome on acne

“…Clinical evidence about the impact of psychosocial and lifestyle factors on acne is sparse and clinical wisdom and experience, as well as anecdotal observations and uncontrolled case series support this situation . Nevertheless, there is some evidence that psychosocial and lifestyle factors including stress, emotions, sleep deprivation and modern lifestyle impact on inflammatory skin diseases . Cultural factors may influence the experience and presentation of acne …”

“…[118][119][120][121][122][123] Nevertheless, there is some evidence that psychosocial and lifestyle factors including stress, emotions, sleep deprivation and modern lifestyle impact on inflammatory skin diseases. 119,121,122,[124][125][126][127][128][129][130] Cultural factors may influence the experience and presentation of acne. 118,131 Corticotropin-releasing hormones and neuropeptides are present in the sebaceous glands, possibly activating pathways affecting immune and inflammatory processes leading to the development and stress-and neurologically induced exacerbation of acne.…”

The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis

“…Consistent with this hypothesis, an upregulation of substance P containing nerves and a strong expression of this neuropeptide is mutually seen in both acne vulgaris and intestinal dysbiosis. Substance P can trigger inflammatory signals that result in the increase of pro-inflammatory mediators implicated in the pathogenesis of acne (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, PPAR-γ) ( Lee et al, 2008 ; Arck et al, 2010 ; Bercik and Collins, 2014 ; Borovaya et al, 2014 ; Theodorou et al, 2014 ; Petra et al, 2015 ; Rokowska-Waluch et al, 2016 ).…”

The relationship between acne vulgaris and irritable bowel syndrome: A preliminary study

“…Substance P triggers acne formation by secreting proinflammatory cytokines involved in acne pathogenesis. [29][30][31][32] Irritable bowel syndrome, a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder, is characterized by dyspeptic complaints such as recurrent abdominal pain and bloating, and changes in bowel habits such as constipation and/or diarrhea. No specific structural or biochemical markers to IBS have been described so far.…”