Ann Dermatol.  2021 Dec;33(6):531-540. 10.5021/ad.2021.33.6.531.

Gender-Specific Differences in Gut Microbiota Composition Associated with Microbial Metabolites for Patients with Acne Vulgaris

• Huang Y
• Liu L
• Chen L
• Zhou L
• Xiong X
• Deng Y

• KMID: 2522131
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2021.33.6.531

Abstract

Background
The gut microbial dysbiosis and gender differences in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris have long been postulated respectively. However, there was no data about a genderrelated discrepancy in gut microbiota and microbial metabolism in acne.
Objective
This study aimed at identifying the underlying gender-related difference in gut microbiota and metabolism in acne vulgaris.
Methods
Fecal samples were collected from 43 acne patients and 43 age and gender-matched controls. Gut microbiota was analyzed by sequencing the V3-V4 region of 16SrDNA gene and microbial metabolites were quantitatively detected using gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
Results
Compared with healthy controls, the men had a lower abundance of 18 microbes such as Butyricicoccus, Clostridium sensu stricto, Faecalibaculum, Bacillus, Lactococcus, Blautia, Clostridiales, Lachnospiracea incertae sedis, Ruminococcus at genus level. However, the female patients only showed increased Clostridium sensu stricto and declined Oscillibacter and Odoribacterin. Additionally, the disordered metabolism of fatty acids was identified in male patients, while the dysbiosis of amino acids metabolism in female ones.
Conclusion
The disorder of gut microbiota and metabolism in acne vulgaris was genderspecific, which supported the potential role of gender difference in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Keyword

Acne vulgaris; Gastrointestinal microbiome; Gender differences; Metabolites