intruder

Hello,

I do not have diabetes. But I have a skin issue that has randomly led me here. Basically, my sebaceous glands in my face (mostly cheeks and forehead) seem to have permanently shrunk/dried up. Even my hair around the hairline (above ears, by neck) is pretty coarse, dry, and 'straw-like' (whereas the hair near the top of my scalp is smooth, soft, and healthy). The result is hard to explain without sounding too superficial, but it approximates seborrheic dermatitis (though it definitely is not this condition). The issue was caused by a medication used several years ago (Isotretinoin) and 5 years later I have concluded that the damage is permanent, since it has only gotten worse over time.

Dermatologists have been largely apathetic, but I haven't really been pushy about it since I was sort of in denial about the severity of it and how much it bothers me.

I have just began researching potential leads for treatment, and the first one I encountered involves agonists for PPARs (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors). These are supposed to stimulate sebum (the oil produced by sebaceous glands). I do not understand it quite fully, but I am under the impression that the its effect on sebaceous glands is opposite that of Isotretinoin.

The specific study I first stumbled upon measured Sebum levels of diabetics using oral treaments from two groups:

Thiazolidinedione: 1) Pioglitazone; 2) Rosiglitazone
Fibrate: 1) Gemfibrizol; 2) Fenofibrate

Now, I'm not going to run out and pressure my physician to prescribe me one of these medications. But for the record, Thiazolidinedione boosted Sebum production by 37% while Fibrate production boosted it by 77%.

I just think that this medication and this particular mechanism (agonizing the PPARs, which in turn have several subtypes) sounds very promising as a start for my "investigation." If I can't fix it, I hope at the very least to figure out exactly what happened.

If you have used these medications, or something similar that stimulates the PPARs, please chime in, or PM me. If you can at least identify yourself, I can come back with more specific questions about your experience taking it, as it relates to my 'off-topic' interest in it.

(title/authors)
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors Increase
Human Sebum Production
Nishit R. Trivedi1,6, Zhaoyuan Cong1,6, Amanda M. Nelson1, Adam J. Albert2, Lorraine L. Rosamilia3,
Surendra Sivarajah4, Kathryn L. Gilliland1, Wenlei Liu5, David T. Mauger5, Robert A. Gabbay4 and
Diane M. Thiboutot1,3