# EVALUATION OF PATHOGENIC FACTORS IN ACNE VULGARIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 1989 · $248,789

## Abstract

The long term aim of this proposal is to establish improved methods
for the treatment or prevention of acne.  The primary hypothesis
in these studies is that comedo format results from a deficiency
of linoleate that is localized in the epithelium of the pilo-
sebaceous follicle.  Such deficiency may arise by dilution of
sebocyte linoleate according to the quantity of sebum synthesized
by each cell.  As a corollary, it is propose that the linoleate-
deficient sebaceous lipids, especially the free fatty acids,
percolate through the follicular horny layer and impose a
deficiency of linoleate on the fatty acids that are incorporated
as esters in the epithelial acylceramide and acylglucosylceramide.
Consequent hyperkeratinization and decreased barrier function, that
are characteristic responses of epidermis to EFA deficiency, would
lead to comedo formation.  Subsequent increase in the population
of follicular bacteria may be responsible for the development of
the inflammatory lesions of acne.

For investigation of these processes, it is proposed to study the
role of elevated sebum secretion on the generation of linoleate-
deficient sebum and the effect of such sebum on epidermal ceramide
composition and comedo formation.  Further insight will b sought
by investigation of the possible role of diet in avoiding
linoleate-deficient epidermal lipids and the development of acne.
In attempts to alleviate acne by dietary means, effects on the
pathologic condition will be evaluated both by clinical results and
by changes in composition of sebum and epidermal lipids.

Sebum will be collected in bentonite clay from defined areas on the
forehead and analyzed and quantified by thin layer chromatography.
Sebum secretion rate per follicle will be calculated from the
numbers of follicles per unit area and estimates of sebum secretion
per sebocyte will be based on sebum composition.  These methods
will be use to study the changes in sebum secretion and composition
that occur during puberty, at which time comedo formation is
initiated, and in the period following physical maturity, when acne
usually recedes.  In the same subjects, the composition of the
epidermal acylceramides will be studied to assess the manifestation
of linoleate deficiency in these lipids that are intimately
involved in epidermal differentiation and barrier function.
Similar analyses will be made of sebum and epidermal lipids in
subjects with inflammatory acne, in those undergoing standard
treatments for acne, and in populations attempting alleviation of
their acne by increasing their dietary linoleate.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155244
- **Project number:** 5R01AR022083-11
- **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:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $248,789
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-04-01 → 1990-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155244

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155244, EVALUATION OF PATHOGENIC FACTORS IN ACNE VULGARIS (5R01AR022083-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155244. Licensed CC0.

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