[Hormonal interaction of androgen and estrogen receptors in normal skin and in acne].

Hormone metabolism in skin affected with acne has been investigated by determination of androgen and estrogen receptors with the help of saturation analysis. The results have been compared with data of an age-corresponding control group. The investigation has been performed on 55 male and 11 female volunteers with acne in their lesions as well as unaffected areas. Androgen and estrogen serum levels have been determined as additional endocrine parameters. Testosterone serum levels were slightly elevated in about 11 percent of the male patients, while the percentage for the female patients might be higher as far as can be judged on account of small number of patients. The lack of correlation between estrogen/androgen receptors and their corresponding serum levels leads to the conclusion that the hormone metabolism is situated in the periphery, being independent of the central endocrine regulation. Similar findings for distribution and receptor levels in both healthy and involved skin of acne patients revealed a significant discrepancy in comparison to corresponding evaluations found in healthy patients. There results point out to an elevated dependency on hormonal influences of the entire integument of acne patients. Estrogen receptors could be found in both acne patients and controls.