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Serum zinc and retinol-binding protein in acne
The serum levels of zinc and retinol-binding protein (RBP) have been determined in 173 patients with acne and compared with those of a control group. The RBP is a specific transport protein and its level in plasma reflects the amount of vitamin A available to the tissues. Patients with severe acne were found to have lower levels of RBP than either patients with mild acne or healthy subjects ofthe same age. In the case of males with severe acne, the mean serum zinc level was significantly lower than that of the control group. No such difference was observed for girls. The observed condition of low levels of zinc and vitamin A in the serum of patients with severe acne may provide a rationale for the clinically good effect of oral zinc treatment.

Acne treatment with oral zinc and vitamin A: effects on the serum levels of zinc and retinol binding protein (RBP).
The serum levels of zinc, vitamin A and retinol binding protein (RBP) were studied in 75 acne patients before and during oral treatment with zinc, vitamin A or placebo. In the zinc-treated patients an increase in the mean serum zinc level was seen after 2 weeks, when also the first clinical improvement occurred. After 4 weeks the zinc level had increased by about 30% and no further significant increase was observed during 3 months of treatment. In 33 healthy subjects there was an increase of 14% after 4 weeks of zinc therapy. Vitamin A and placebo induced no significant changes in the serum zinc status. Prior to therapy the serum levels of vitamin A and RBP were lower in the acne patients than in the controls. Zinc + vitamin A treatment raised the serum RBP value to normal after 4 weeks. In patients given vitamin A alone, a probable increase in RBP was achieved. Zinc and placebo treatment did not change the serum level of RBP.

Does the plasma level of vitamins A and E affect acne condition?
Background. Vitamin A and E are lipid soluble antioxidants that are necessary for our health. Deficiency in these vitamins can cause serious diseases. Administration of vitamin A and E to patients with acne was shown to improve their acne condition.
Aims. To test the relationship between plasma vitamin A and E levels and acne.
Methods. Plasma vitamin A and E concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography in 100 newly diagnosed untreated patients with acne and were compared with those of 100 age-matched healthy controls. Patients were carefully graded using the Global Acne Grading System.
Results. We found that plasma vitamin A concentrations in patients with acne were significantly lower than those of the control group (336.5 vs. 418.1 μg/L, respectively) P = 0.007. We also found that plasma vitamin E concentrations in patients with acne were significantly lower than those of controls (5.4 vs. 5.9 mg/L) P = 0.05. In addition, we found that there is a strong relationship between decrease in plasma vitamin A levels and increase in the severity of acne condition. Patients with severe acne had significantly lower plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E than did those with lower acne grade and the age-matched healthy controls.
Discussion. Based on our results, we conclude that low vitamin A and E plasma levels have an important role in the pathogenesis of acne and in the aggravation of this condition.

Zinc, copper, magnesium, proteins and superoxide dismutase in acne
Serum zinc, copper, magnesium, proteins and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were studied in 40 cases of acne. Serum zinc, magnesium and albumin were found to be significantly decreased whereas serum copper and globulin were significantly increased. There were no significant alterations in the serum total proteins and SOD in the above cases.