> Fruits, how this dietary intake may affect your skin

Acne and role of diet in its development has been subject of many studies in dermatology. Most of these studies did not prove any association between acne and dietary intakes. However, most recent studies correlate androgen level with different anti oxidants and their potential role in treatment of androgen induced cell damage. Since androgens contribute significantly to pathogenesis of acne and initiate comedone formation, any fluctuation in androgens balance can be of therapeutic importance.

What do we find in fruits? Being sources of antioxidants, vitamins and fibers are among the most important dietary benefits of fruits. Having fruits we can increase level of different anti oxidants, vitamin C, B and others in our body. How could this long-known dietary intake could benefit an acne prone skin? Could fruits have any effect in development of acne?

To answer these questions we have to first take a look at pathogenesis of acne and mechanisms which cause formation of comedones, acne precursors. Increase in sebum production by a sebaceous follicle and hypercornification of sebaceous duct induced by bacteria are major players. The initial process, increase in sebum production, is triggered by androgens. The question is can we manipulate either androgen level or androgen effects on sebaceous glands by taking fruits? Another way we can hypothesize this situation is can prolonged androgen effect increase oxidative stress?

One research in Mayo clinic suggest that quercetin blocks androgens activity in androgen-responsive human prostate cancer cell lines. Quercetin could be found in black and green tea, wines, apples and onions. Quercetin is an abundant, naturally occurring flavonoid compound. In addition to apples, onions, black and green tea, and red wine, the compound is found in green leafy vegetables, beans and citrus fruits.

By blocking the androgen activity, the growth of prostate cancer cells can be prevented or stopped. Qucertin may be a non-hormonal approach to manipulate effects of androgens on its receptors.

Quercetin is an abundant, naturally occurring flavonoid compound. In addition to apples, onions, black and green tea, and red wine, the compound is found in green leafy vegetables, beans and citrus fruits.

Another hypothesis is that androgens contribute to prostate carcinogenesis by increasing oxidative stress. By the same token, androgens may contribute to pathogenesis of acne.

Physiologic concentrations of androgens induce production of reactive oxygen species, which are diminished by vitamins C and E.

The antioxidant moiety of -tocopherol, PMCol, was found to inhibit androgen activity, likely through competition for androgen binding to the androgen receptors, with resultant inhibition of androgen-sensitive biological pathways. PMCol was not found to possess androgen agonist or partial agonist activity and hence functions as a pure antagonist of androgen activity in the LNCaP and LAPC4 prostate carcinoma cell lines. Based on the results of the current study, PMCol may serve as a useful agent for modulating androgen activity in vivo . Importantly, the anti androgenic activity of PMCol poses the possibility that the prostate cancer-preventive activity of vitamin E may be due, in part, to anti androgenic effects of vitamin E or metabolites of vitamin E in the prostate. This result may be applied to role of androgens in formation of microcomedones and development of acne primary lesions. Anti androgenic properties of tocopherol moiety may be of therapeutic value in treatment of acne.

Related study on potential anti androgenic effects of vitamin C in department of pathology, university of Massachusetts suggest that vitamin C inhibits tumor growth by virtue of producing reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that ascorbate is a potent anticancer agent for prostate cancer cells. pathology, university of massachusetts

Three different anti oxidants, Quercetin, vitamin E and vitamin C have been shown to affect androgen levels in serum or its effects on various cells including oxidative stress. These studies support the idea that fruits are valuable dietary intakes which through their anti oxidants may offset androgen effects on various cells including sebaceous glands. If fruits can manipulate activity of sebaceous glands by either fluctuating androgen levels or their effect on glandular cells there will be some hope that these dietary intakes may affect acne formation at a therapeutic level.

| American Academy of Dermatology | Dermatology Online Journal | Sebaceous Glands | Dermatology Health Guide | Sebaceous follicle Carcinoma | Targeting IL-18 for treatment of etopic dermatitis | Retinoids and Sebaceous Glands Activity | Pathophysiology of Acne | Macrolids for Acne |

Anatomy of sebaceous glands: Sebaceous glands are epidermal appendages located within the dermis layer and their ducts are opened into sebaceous follicles by which root of hair is surrounded. Sebaceous follicles are opened into the surface of the skin along with a hair follicle. Their secretions are to moisturize the skin and hair and their abundance is more in the face, shoulders, arms, chest and back. Sebaceous glands are under control of androgens as well as neuropeptides such as substance P. Substance P is involved in proliferation and sebaceous glands. Acne patients show more number of substance P receptors on their sebaceous glands. Some hypothesize that basal epidermal cells can differentiate into sebaceous glands under influence of androgens. Direct innervations of these glands is still under investigation and various data indicate presence of nerve endings in surrounding connective tissue.

A few fruits as major sources of various antioxidants:

Blueberries for alpha lipoic acid, a potent anti oxidant. Apples for quercetin. Grapes for flavanoids.