Arie Kusumawardani
Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia

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Journal : journal of social research

The Clinical Relevance of Serum Interleukin-21 in Grading Acne Vulgaris Ayu Kusuma Dewi; Muhammad Eko Irawanto; Arie Kusumawardani; Nugrohoaji Dharmawan; Nurrachmat Mulianto
Journal of Social Research Vol. 4 No. 11 (2025): Journal of Social Research
Publisher : International Journal Labs

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.55324/josr.v4i10.2795

Abstract

Acne vulgaris (AV) is an inflammatory skin disorder with multifactorial pathogenesis involving genetics, hormones, and immune dysregulation. Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a pleiotropic cytokine mainly secreted by T follicular helper and Th17 cells, has been implicated in various inflammatory skin diseases. However, its role in AV remains unclear. This cross-sectional study included 46 patients with AV, classified into mild (n=19), moderate (n=16), and severe (n=11) groups. Serum IL-21 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Baseline characteristics were compared across groups, and interobserver reliability of AV severity grading was evaluated using Cohen’s kappa test. One-way ANOVA was applied to assess differences in IL-21 levels among severity groups, with a significance level set at p<0.05. The mean serum IL-21 level was highest in the severe AV group (303.53 pg/mL), followed by the moderate (223.7 pg/mL) and mild (213.2 pg/mL) groups. Although there was a trend toward increasing IL-21 levels with higher AV severity, statistical analysis revealed no significant difference among the three groups (p=0.130). Serum IL-21 levels were elevated in AV patients compared with previously reported healthy controls but did not differ significantly across severity levels. These findings suggest that IL-21 may play a role in the pathophysiology of AV, though it is not a reliable marker of clinical severity. Further case-control and tissue-based studies are needed to clarify its role.
The Effect of Oral Bromelain on Interleukin-6 Levels in Tissue of Acne Vulgaris Model Rats Laura noviani; Muhammad Eko Irawanto; Endra Yustin Ellistasari; Arie Kusumawardani; Nurrachmat Mulianto
Journal of Social Research Vol. 5 No. 4 (2026): Journal of Social Research
Publisher : International Journal Labs

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.55324/josr.v5i4.3102

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit associated with Cutibacterium acnes colonization and activation of the Toll-like receptor–NF-?B pathway, which upregulates production of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme derived from pineapple (Ananas comosus), is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties; however, experimental evidence regarding its effect on inflammatory cytokines in acne remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral bromelain administration on IL-6 levels in the tissue of acne vulgaris model rats. This in vivo laboratory experimental study employed a posttest-only control group design. Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats induced with C. acnes were divided into three groups: normal control (K1), negative control (K2), and treatment group (P) receiving oral bromelain at 88 mg/kgBW/day for 21 days. Tissue IL-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc least significant difference (LSD) test. C. acnes induction significantly elevated tissue IL-6 levels compared to the normal control (p<0.001). One-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in IL-6 levels between groups (p<0.001). The lowest IL-6 levels were observed in K1 (36.50±0.43) and the highest in K2 (94.01±0.57). The treatment group (P; 47.46±0.83) demonstrated significantly lower IL-6 levels than K2 and approximated K1 values. The post hoc LSD test confirmed statistically significant differences across all pairwise group comparisons (p<0.001). Oral bromelain administration effectively reduced IL-6 levels in the tissue of acne vulgaris model rats, demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory activity. These findings suggest that bromelain has potential as an adjunct therapy for inflammatory control in acne vulgaris.