Analysis of Isotretinoin-Induced Alterations in the Levels of Plasma Trace Elements: Investigation of the Relationship Between Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, and Treatment-Related Side Effects

• Published in: Biological trace element research 2024-11, Vol.202 (11), p.4858-4868
• Main Authors: Akman, Tugrul Cagri, Yazici, Mustafa, Atila, Alptug, Mertoglu, Cuma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acne; alopecia; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Calcium; Correlation analysis; Gender; Inductively coupled plasma; Kidneys; Life Sciences; liver; Magnesium; Matrix methods; Nutrition; Oncology; Phosphorus; Plasma; Potassium; renal function; sebum; secretion; Side effects; spectrometers; Trace elements; Zinc
• ISSN: 0163-4984; 1559-0720; 1559-0720
• DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-04053-9

Isotretinoin is an effective treatment against acne vulgaris, but it also causes many side effects during and after the treatment. The relationship between the changes in the levels of plasma trace elements of patients with AV after 3 months of isotretinoin treatment and the side effects was investigated in the study. Plasma samples of 35 patients were collected before and after isotretinoin treatment. Samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometer. After treatment, the levels of phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc in plasma increased statistically, while the level of potassium decreased ( p   0.8) between magnesium and calcium. According to the study results, the change in phosphorus and potassium levels shows that isotretinoin affects kidney functions. The results suggest that phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc are associated with fatigue, dry skin and chapped lips, hair loss, and sebum secretion, respectively. Consequently, the study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive pre-treatment assessment, including monitoring of liver and kidney function as well as the levels of phosphorus and potassium in patients.