Journal Digest: February 5

Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: A 12-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Safety and Efficacy of a Nutraceutical Supplement for Mild to Moderate Noncystic Acne in Young Adults

A recent clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of a nutraceutical supplement (Clear Skin Formula; VitaMedica) for treating noncystic acne. The study included 40 participants randomly assigned to receive the supplement (n=26) or a placebo (n=14) daily for 84 days. Participants using the supplement showed significant reductions in inflammatory lesion counts from 21.4 to 10.4 and noninflammatory lesions from 35.0 to 19.5, with no significant changes in the placebo group. Validated Investigator Global Assessment scores improved by nearly one grade for the supplement group, from 2.3 to 1.4. Quality of life also improved significantly for the supplement group.¹

Clinical Ophthalmology: Oral Isotretinoin-Associated Ocular Effects and Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abuallut et al investigated the impact of systemic isotretinoin treatment for acne vulgaris on ocular health and identified risk factors contributing to eye pathology. The study included 489 participants from the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia, assessed through an online questionnaire incorporating the validated Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results revealed a significant association between isotretinoin use and eye symptoms, including gritty sensation (66.4%), sore eyes (68.6%), blurry vision (75.9%), and reliance on moisturizing drops (35%). Severe OSDI grades were reported in 56.9% of current users, decreasing to 51.2% and 38.8% for those who stopped isotretinoin less than 2 months prior and at least 2 months prior, respectively. Risk factors for worse OSDI scores included contact lens use (+17.5 points) and higher isotretinoin doses (+0.20 points per 10 mg).²

Frontiers in Immunology: Significance of Host Antimicrobial Peptides in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

Lesiak et al highlighted the role of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in strengthening the skin barrier through the activation of proteins such as PI3K, GSK3, and Rac1, potentially compensating for the impaired permeability barrier seen in acne vulgaris. AMPs are also linked to acne-associated immune and metabolic pathways, such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, suggesting they are central to their development and progression. This study emphasized AMPs as promising candidates for antiacne therapies and discussed their potential in pharmaceutical development for acne vulgaris prevention and treatment.³

Archives of Dermatological Research: Staphylococcus caprae and Staphylococcus epidermidis Define the Skin Microbiome Among Different Grades of Acne Vulgaris

Manurung et al analyzed the relationship between acne vulgaris severity and skin microbiome profiles, revealing key differences in commensal bacteria. While Cutibacterium acnes levels did not significantly vary across acne vulgaris grades, the proportion of Staphylococcus epidermidis was notably higher in severe acne compared with mild acne (0.3% vs 0.1%).
Conversely, Staphylococcus caprae levels were significantly greater in mild acne compared with moderate and severe cases (1.5% vs 0.7% vs 1.1%). The Shannon diversity index showed no remarkable differences between groups. These findings suggest that dysbiosis involving S epidermidis and S caprae may play a role in distinguishing acne vulgaris severity and provide insights into microbial contributions to acne pathogenesis.⁴

Journal of Investigative Dermatology: Mechanistic Basis for the Translation Inhibition of Cutibacterium acnes by Clindamycin

Lomakin et al described the structure of the 70S ribosome and the 50S subunit of Cutibacterium acnes in complex with clindamycin using cryo-EM at 2.99-Å and 2.53-Å resolutions, respectively. Clindamycin binds to the 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) at the peptidyl-transferase center, interacting with the rRNA via hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, particularly through its galactose ring and propyl pyrrolidinyl moiety. The positioning of clindamycin is consistent with other lincosamide-bound ribosome structures. Mutations in the 23S rRNA, particularly A2241G, cause resistance to macrolides and clindamycin, weakening the drug’s interaction with the ribosome.⁵

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology: Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling as a Monotherapy in Acne Scar Management: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

Niaz et al outlined the emergence of fractional radiofrequency microneedling as a promising minimally invasive treatment for acne scarring, particularly in patients with skin of color, due to its efficacy and minimal complications. Systematic review findings revealed significant improvements in acne scar grading, skin texture, and reductions in inflammatory acne lesions and sebum excretion, with 80.64% of patients achieving a 2-grade scar improvement in a study. Patient satisfaction rates ranged from 26% to 89%, reflecting high perceived benefits. Although adverse effects such as transient erythema, mild pain, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation were reported, they were generally temporary.⁶

References

1. Ablon G. A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of a nutraceutical supplement for mild to moderate non-cystic acne in young adults. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2024;17(11):24-30. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11694640/
2. Abuallut II, Dibaji MQ, Assiri A, et al. Oral isotretinoin-associated ocular effects and risk factors: a cross-sectional study. Clin Ophthalmol. 2024;18:4041-4052. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S491757
3. Lesiak A, Paprocka P, Wnorowska U, et al. Significance of host antimicrobial peptides in the pathogenesis and treatment of acne vulgaris. Front Immunol. 2024;15:1502242. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1502242
4. Manurung THP, Sitohang IBS, Agustin T. Staphylococcus caprae and Staphylococcus epidermidis define the skin microbiome among different grades of acne vulgaris. Arch Dermatol Res. 2024;317(1):156. doi:10.1007/s00403-024-03581-1
5. Lomakin IB, Devarkar SC, Grada A, Bunick CG. Mechanistic basis for the translation inhibition of cutibacterium acnes by clindamycin. J Invest Dermatol. 2024;144(11):2553-2561.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2024.07.013
6. Niaz G, Ajeebi Y, Alshamrani HM, Khalmurad M, Lee K. Fractional radiofrequency microneedling as a monotherapy in acne scar management: a systematic review of current evidence. Clin Cosmet Invest Dermatol. 2025;18:19-29. doi:10.2147/CCID.S502295

What new studies have you been involved with or authored? Share with us by emailing DTEditor@mmhgroup.com for an opportunity to be featured.