Background Increases in plasma concentrations of lipids, triglycerides
, and liver enzymes have been reported in patients on isotretinoin the
rapy. Lipoprotein (a). (Lp (a)), a cholesterol-rich plasma lipoprotein
, influences the clotting system and is related to premature coronary
heart disease and stroke. Methods Blood (7 mt) was obtained from 30 pa
tients with cystic acne before and 30 days after the initiation of ora
l isotretinoin (0.5 mg/kg/day). Results An increase in liver enzymes a
nd lipids, except high density lipoprotein, was found in our patients
at the end of the study. The mean Lp (a) levels (initial value, 25.91/-3.17 mg/dl) were statistically reduced (p < 0.0001) at the end of tr
eatment (14.80+/-2.35 mg/dL). Conclusions It is suggested that isotret
inoin could be used as an Lp (a) lowering agent in the future.