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Repurposing lipid-lowering drugs as potential treatment for acne vulgaris: a Mendelian randomization study

Man Fang1, Jing Lei2, Yue Zhang3

  • 1Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.

Frontiers in Medicine
|June 21, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Lipid-lowering drugs targeting PCSK9, LDLR, and LPL show potential for reducing acne vulgaris risk. This Mendelian randomization study suggests a link between these therapies and improved acne outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Acne vulgaris affects over 640 million people globally, representing a significant public health concern.
  • Current treatments for acne vulgaris do not fully address its complex pathophysiology.
  • The therapeutic potential of lipid-lowering medications for acne vulgaris is largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between lipid-lowering therapies and the risk of developing acne vulgaris.
  • To utilize a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to assess this relationship.
  • To identify specific genetic targets for lipid modification that may influence acne risk.

Main Methods:

  • A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted.
  • Genetic instrumental variables for lipid-lowering drug targets were identified from DrugBank and ChEMBL.
  • Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and acne vulgaris were obtained from large-scale consortia.

Main Results:

  • MR analysis indicated a significant association between targeting PCSK9 and reduced odds of acne vulgaris (OR = 1.782, p = 0.013).
  • Targeting the LDL receptor (LDLR) was also associated with acne vulgaris risk (OR = 1.581, p = 0.021).
  • Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) targeting for triglyceride reduction showed a significant association with increased acne vulgaris risk (OR = 1.607, p = 0.009).

Conclusions:

  • The study provides evidence suggesting that lipid-lowering therapies targeting PCSK9 and LDLR may be associated with a reduced risk of acne vulgaris.
  • Targeting LPL for triglyceride lowering was associated with an increased risk of acne vulgaris.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between lipid metabolism and acne pathogenesis.
Keywords:
GWAS dataMendelian randomizationacne vulgarislipid metabolismlipid-lowering drugs

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