A systematic review of N-acetylcysteine for treatment of acne vulgaris and acne-related associations and consequences: Focus on clinical studies

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on hair follicle changes in mouse model of cyclophosphamide-induced alopecia: histological and biochemical study

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) represents one of the most severe side effects of chemotherapy, which forces some patients to reject cancer treatment. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms of CIA are not clearly understood, which makes it difficult to discover efficient preventive or therapeutic procedures for this adverse effect. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has a strong antioxidant activity as it stimulates glutathione synthesis and acts as an oxygen radical scavenger. The current study tried to investigate the efficacy of NAC in preserving biochemical parameters and hair follicle structure against cyclophosphamide (CYP) administration. In total, 40 adult female C57BL/6 mice were induced to enter anagen by depilation (day 0) and divided into four groups: group I (control), group II (CYP) received a single dose of CYP [150 mg/kg body weight (B.W.)/intraperitoneal injection (IP)] at day 9, group III (CYP & NAC) received a single dose of CYP at day 9 as well as NAC (500 mg/kg B.W./day/IP) from day 6-16, and group IV (NAC) received NAC from day 6-16. CYP administration in group II induced an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), histological hair follicle dystrophy, disruption of follicular melanogenesis, overexpression of p53, and loss of ki67 immunoreactivity. NAC coadministration in group III reversed CYP-induced alterations in the biochemical parameters and preserved hair follicle structure, typical follicular melanin distribution as well as normal pattern of p53 and ki67 expression. These findings indicated that NAC could be used as an efficient and safe therapeutic option for hair loss induced by chemotherapy.

IL-8 (CXCL8) Correlations with Psychoneuroimmunological Processes and Neuropsychiatric Conditions

Interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL8), an essential CXC chemokine, significantly influences psychoneuroimmunological processes and affects neurological and psychiatric health. It exerts a profound effect on immune cell activation and brain function, suggesting potential roles in both neuroprotection and neuroinflammation. IL-8 production is stimulated by several factors, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) known to promote inflammation and disease progression. Additionally, CXCL8 gene polymorphisms can alter IL-8 production, leading to potential differences in disease susceptibility, progression, and severity across populations. IL-8 levels vary among neuropsychiatric conditions, demonstrating sensitivity to psychosocial stressors and disease severity. IL-8 can be detected in blood circulation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine, making it a promising candidate for a broad-spectrum biomarker. This review highlights the need for further research on the diverse effects of IL-8 and the associated implications for personalized medicine. A thorough understanding of its complex role could lead to the development of more effective and personalized treatment strategies for neuropsychiatric conditions.

Meconopsis quintuplinervia Regel Improves Cutibacterium acnes-Induced Inflammatory Responses in a Mouse Ear Edema Model and Suppresses Pro-Inflammatory Chemokine Production via the MAPK and NF-κB Pathways in RAW264.7 Cells

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common adolescent skin condition which is mainly caused by Cutibacterium acnes overcolonization and subsequent inflammation.

OBJECTIVE

Our previous studies demonstrated that ethanol extracts of Meconopsis quintuplinervia Regel (EMQ) possess significant antimicrobial properties. However, their protective effects and potential mechanisms against AV remain unclear.

METHODS

In the present study, the EMQ treatment potential for AV was evaluated in a C. acnes-induced mouse ear edema model, and the EMQ anti-inflammatory mechanism was evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

RESULTS

The results showed that EMQ alleviated edema formation and inflammatory cell infiltration in an acne mouse model by suppressing inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α expression. Moreover, EMQ inhibited the phosphorylation of MAP kinases (MAPKs) such as p38, JNK, and ERK, the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest the potent anti-inflammatory activity of EMQ is possibly through the regulation of the MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. Inhibition of C. acnes activity combined with a powerful anti-inflammatory effect of EMQ indicated its potential as a novel therapeutic option for AV.

Markers of Oxidative Stress in Patients with Acne: A Literature Review

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the pilosebaceous unit. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and involves the overlap between four main processes: alteration of the keratinization, increased sebum production, colonization with Cutibacterium acnes, and inflammation. The role of oxidative stress (OS) has been intensively studied in inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, or atopic dermatitis. However, the involvement of OS in the pathogenesis of acne is less known. The evidence accumulated over the last decade suggests that in the case of acne patients, there is an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. In this review, we analyzed studies that evaluated markers of OS in patients with acne, published in the last ten years, with the aim of providing new insights into the pathogenesis of acne.