Background: There is scarcity in literature about the reliability of salivary markers in
acne vulgaris.
Aims: The aims were to evaluate the insulin resistance (IR) and adipsin levels in serum
and saliva in a sample of acne vulgaris patients; and to correlate IR and adipsin levels
with the disease severity.
Methods: This prospective case–control
study included 60 acne vulgaris patients
(patients Group), in addition, 60 apparently healthy individuals (control group). The
severity of acne vulgaris was determined according to Global Acne Grading system
(GAGS). Serum and salivary adipsin, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin levels were
measured using ELISA kits.
Results: Fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin
resistance (HOMA-IR)
in patients group both in serum and saliva were elevated
when compared with the control group. Serum and salivary levels of adipsin and
Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUIKI) in patients were decreased than
the control group. Adipsin serum levels show significant negative correlations with all
study variables except QUIKI with which the correlation was positive both in serum
and saliva. There was a significant positive correlation between serum and salivary
adipsin levels (r = 0.873, p < 0.00001) and serum and salivary fasting glucose (r = 1,
p < 0.00001).
Conclusion: Adipsin could be considered as a promising biomarker for acne vulgaris
and its associated insulin resistance. Moreover, the salivary measurements may be
considered as useful biomarkers in acne vulgaris patients, but more studies are still
required.