Biomaterial Database

Pharmacology of hormonal contraceptives and acne. 2008

Katharine O'Connell, and Carolyn Westhoff

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.

Higher free testosterone levels in women are a function of lower levels of sex hormone-binding globulins (SHBG), higher levels of total testosterone, or both. When free testosterone levels are decreased, sebum production, a pathogenic feature of acne vulgaris, is also decreased. Oral contraceptives (OCs) decrease free testosterone levels by reducing testosterone production by the ovaries and adrenal glands, increasing SHBG, and inhibiting conversion of free testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Studies have shown that the progestin component of OCs lowers androgen levels, which are directly associated with the development of acne lesions. Currently, 3 OCs have received approval for acne from the US Food and Drug Administration. For patients with acne who are already benefiting from OC treatment, there is no need to change the OC; however, when an OC proves insufficient against sebum production, switching to a formulation that is approved for acne is recommended.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003278	Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal	Oral contraceptives which owe their effectiveness to hormonal preparations.	Hormonal Oral Contraceptive,Hormonal Oral Contraceptive Agent,Contraceptive Agents, Estrogen,Contraceptive Agents, Oral, Hormonal,Hormonal Oral Contraceptive Agents,Oral Contraceptive Agents, Hormonal,Oral Contraceptives, Hormonal,Contraceptive, Hormonal Oral,Contraceptives, Hormonal Oral,Estrogen Contraceptive Agents,Hormonal Oral Contraceptives,Oral Contraceptive, Hormonal
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000152	Acne Vulgaris	A chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous apparatus associated with an increase in sebum secretion. It is characterized by open comedones (blackheads), closed comedones (whiteheads), and pustular nodules. The cause is unknown, but heredity and age are predisposing factors.	Acne
D000728	Androgens	Compounds that interact with ANDROGEN RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of TESTOSTERONE. Depending on the target tissues, androgenic effects can be on SEX DIFFERENTIATION; male reproductive organs, SPERMATOGENESIS; secondary male SEX CHARACTERISTICS; LIBIDO; development of muscle mass, strength, and power.	Androgen,Androgen Receptor Agonist,Androgen Effect,Androgen Effects,Androgen Receptor Agonists,Androgenic Agents,Androgenic Compounds,Agents, Androgenic,Agonist, Androgen Receptor,Agonists, Androgen Receptor,Compounds, Androgenic,Effect, Androgen,Effects, Androgen,Receptor Agonist, Androgen,Receptor Agonists, Androgen
D000731	Androstanes	The family of steroids from which the androgens are derived.
D012629	Sebum	The oily substance secreted by SEBACEOUS GLANDS. It is composed of KERATIN, fat, and cellular debris.	Sebums
D012738	Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin	A glycoprotein migrating as a beta-globulin. Its molecular weight, 52,000 or 95,000-115,000, indicates that it exists as a dimer. The protein binds testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol in the plasma. Sex hormone-binding protein has the same amino acid sequence as ANDROGEN-BINDING PROTEIN. They differ by their sites of synthesis and post-translational oligosaccharide modifications.	Sex Steroid-Binding Protein,Testosterone-Estradiol Binding Globulin,Binding Globulin, Testosterone-Estradiol,Globulin, Sex Hormone-Binding,Globulin, Testosterone-Estradiol Binding,Hormone-Binding Globulin, Sex,Sex Hormone Binding Globulin,Sex Steroid Binding Protein,Steroid-Binding Protein, Sex,Testosterone Estradiol Binding Globulin
D015415	Biomarkers	Measurable and quantifiable biological parameters (e.g., specific enzyme concentration, specific hormone concentration, specific gene phenotype distribution in a population, presence of biological substances) which serve as indices for health- and physiology-related assessments, such as disease risk, psychiatric disorders, ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE and its effects, disease diagnosis; METABOLIC PROCESSES; SUBSTANCE ABUSE; PREGNANCY; cell line development; EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES; etc.	Biochemical Markers,Biological Markers,Biomarker,Clinical Markers,Immunologic Markers,Laboratory Markers,Markers, Biochemical,Markers, Biological,Markers, Clinical,Markers, Immunologic,Markers, Laboratory,Markers, Serum,Markers, Surrogate,Markers, Viral,Serum Markers,Surrogate Markers,Viral Markers,Biochemical Marker,Biologic Marker,Biologic Markers,Clinical Marker,Immune Marker,Immune Markers,Immunologic Marker,Laboratory Marker,Marker, Biochemical,Marker, Biological,Marker, Clinical,Marker, Immunologic,Marker, Laboratory,Marker, Serum,Marker, Surrogate,Serum Marker,Surrogate End Point,Surrogate End Points,Surrogate Endpoint,Surrogate Endpoints,Surrogate Marker,Viral Marker,Biological Marker,End Point, Surrogate,End Points, Surrogate,Endpoint, Surrogate,Endpoints, Surrogate,Marker, Biologic,Marker, Immune,Marker, Viral,Markers, Biologic,Markers, Immune