Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A in the Treatment of Facial Seborrhea and Acne: Evidence and a Proposed Mechanism

Intradermal injection of botulinum neurotoxin is a frequently performed procedure in aesthetic dermatology to improve facial skin tone, texture, fine wrinkles, and enlarged pores. In practice, botulinum neurotoxin type A is also used to reduce skin oiliness of the face. There is increasing evidence that acetylcholine plays specific roles in sebum production, suggesting that botulinum neurotoxin type A may reduce sebum production by interfering with cholinergic transmission between sebaceous glands and autonomic nerve terminals. Botulinum neurotoxins can also inhibit several pathogenetic components of acne development, suggesting that botulinum neurotoxins can be used as a safe and effective treatment modality for acne and other skin disorders related to overactivity of sebaceous glands. This review aims to explore the current evidence behind the treatment of facial seborrhea and acne with botulinum neurotoxin type A.

Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A in the Treatment of Oily Skin and Acne: Evidence and a Proposed Mechanism

Intradermal injection of botulinum neurotoxin is a frequently performed procedure in aesthetic dermatology to improve facial skin tone, texture, fine wrinkles, and enlarged pores. In practice, botulinum neurotoxin type A is also used to reduce skin oiliness of the face. There is increasing evidence that acetylcholine plays specific roles in sebum production, suggesting that botulinum neurotoxin type A may reduce sebum production by interfering with cholinergic transmission between sebaceous glands and autonomic nerve terminals. Botulinum neurotoxins can also inhibit several pathogenetic components of acne development, suggesting that botulinum neurotoxins can be used as a safe and effective treatment modality for acne and other skin disorders related to the overactivity of sebaceous glands. This review aims to explore the current evidence behind the treatment of oily skin and acne with botulinum neurotoxin type A.

Varicosity-Schwann Cell Interactions Mediated by ATP in the Mouse Vas Deferens

Schwann cells, from a variety of sources, are known to possess P2Y purinergic metabotropic receptors. However, it is not known if Schwann cells associated with autonomic nerve terminals possess such receptors and if so whether these receptors are activated by the endogenous release of ATP from the nerve terminals. We show that such Schwann cells in the vas deferens give evoked calcium transients on nerve stimulation. These transients are mediated, at least in part, by the endogenous release of ATP, which acts on Schwann cell P2Y receptors to release calcium from within the cells. This work suggests the possibility that Schwann cells are active participants in the process of junctional transmission in the autonomic nervous system.