# EVALUATION OF PATHOGENIC FACTORS IN ACNE VULGARIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 1987 · $66,724

## Abstract

The ultimate objective of this study is to determine the cause of acne and
to discover means for improved treatment or prevention of the disease.
Acne is known to be associated with high rates of lipid secretion by the
sebaceous glands in the skin, but it is not known why this results in
inflammatory eruptions.  Nevertheless, it has been shown that any treatment
which reduces sebum production can alleviate the condition.  To discover
more effective and more widely applicable means for treating acne, we
propose further studies on the physiology of sebaceous secretion, the
biochemical pathways by which sebum is produced, the relation between sebum
composition and acne, the reduction of sebum excretion by drugs, especially
orally-administered synthetic derivatives of vitamin A, and the possibility
of treating or preventing acne by dietary means.  Absolute rates of sebum
excretion will be measureed by long-term absorption of sebum from the skin
surface and quantification by thin layer chromatography.  The method will
ber verified by measurements based on the sebum content of skin biopsies.
Absolute rates of sebum production will then be correlated with sebum
composition, the hormonal changes which occur during human development, and
the onset and natural resolution of acne.  To understand natural variations
in sebum production and composition, studies will be made of the major
pathways of sebum biosynthesis, including identification of the substrates
from which sebum is formed, the role of phospholipids as intermediates in
sebum synthesis, and reasons for variation in the content of exogenous
lipids, including linoleic acid, low levels of which is sebum are
assoicated with acne.  Studies will be made of the linoleic acid content of
sebum and the relation of this to sebum production rates and to the
composition of the polar structural lipids of follicular epithelium, where
abnormalities in keratinization lead to comedo formation and initiation of
acne.  The alleviation of acne by increased blood levels of linoleate will
be attempted.  Oral administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid for several
months results in long-term alleviation of acne.  The most appropriate
dosage and regimen for this treatment will be studied, as well as the
effects on absolute rates of sebum production and on sebum composition so
that the mechanism of action of the drug on acne can be determined.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155239
- **Project number:** 3R01AR022083-09S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Z1H9VJS8NG16
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN S. STRAUSS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $66,724
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1978-04-01 → 1987-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155239

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155239, EVALUATION OF PATHOGENIC FACTORS IN ACNE VULGARIS (3R01AR022083-09S1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155239. Licensed CC0.

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