The Role of Blood Lead, Cadmium, Zinc and Copper in Development and Severity of Acne Vulgaris in a Nigerian Population

• Published in: Biological trace element research 2017-04, Vol.176 (2), p.251-257
• Main Authors: Ikaraoha, C.I., Mbadiwe, N.C., Anyanwu, C.J., Odekhian, J., Nwadike, C.N., Amah, H.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acne; Acne Vulgaris - blood; Adolescent; Adult; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Blood levels; Cadmium; Cadmium - blood; Copper; Copper - blood; Female; Heavy metals; Humans; Lead; Lead - blood; Life Sciences; Nigeria; Nutrition; Oncology; Severity of Illness Index; Skin diseases; Trace metals; Young Adult; Zinc; Zinc - blood
• ISSN: 0163-4984; 1559-0720
• DOI: 10.1007/s12011-016-0839-4

Acne vulgaris is a very common skin disorder affecting human beings. There is a paucity of report on the role of heavy metals—lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)—globally, and trace metals—zinc (Zn) and copper (Cd)—particularly in Nigeria in the development/severity of acne vulgaris. This study is aimed to determine the blood levels of some heavy metals—cadmium and lead—and trace metals—zinc and copper—in acne vulgaris sufferers in a Nigerian population. Venous blood samples were collected from a total number of 90 non-obese female subjects consisting of 30 mild, 30 moderate and 30 severe acne vulgaris sufferers for blood Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn determination. They were age-matched with 60 females without acne vulgaris who served as the control subjects. Acne sufferers had significantly higher blood Cd and Pb ( P  = 0.0143 and P  = 0.0001 respectively) and non-significantly different blood levels of Cu and Zn ( P  = 0.910 and P  = 0.2140 respectively) compared to controls. There were significant progressive increases in blood levels of Cd and Pb ( P  = 0.0330 and P  = 0.0001 respectively) and non-significant differences in the mean blood level of Cu and Zn ( P  = 0.1821 and P  = 0.2728 respectively) from mild to moderate and severe acne vulgaris sufferers. Increases in blood Cd and Pb may play critical roles in the pathogenesis/severity of acne vulgaris, while Cu and Zn seem to play less significant roles in the development of this disorder in this environment.