Insulin metabolism disorders may be associated with etio-pathology of skin tags

There are reports that acrochordon (skin tag), the most common fibroepithelial tumor of the skin, may be associated with metabolic syndrome components, particularly insulin metabolism disorders. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study examining its association with insulin resistance and tissue levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF-2R).

Thirty patients with at least one acrochordon in their body who had no known history of diabetes mellitus and a control group comprised 30 individuals who had no acrochordon or no known history of diabetes mellitus were included. The tissue expression of IGF-1R and IGF-2R were investigated via immunohistochemical assessment in both groups.

Results

In the group with acrochordon, IGF-1R and IGF-2R expression was found to be significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0,01). Using logistic regression analysis, an increase in serum insulin, serum IGF-1 and HOMA-IR levels was found to be associated with the expression levels of IGF-1R and IGF-2R.

These findings support the view that insulin metabolism disorders should be evaluated in patients with acrochordon. The study indicates that IGF receptors may have an effect on acrochordon pathogenesis and that acrochordon etiology and related conditions can be clarified by detection of parameters that influence receptor levels.

The results of the study have suggested that IGF–1R and IGF–2R may play role in the pathogenesis of acrochordon. We found that IGF receptor levels are correlated with BMI, serum insulin and IGF–1 levels in patients with acrochordon. When taken together, our results suggest that hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance play a role in the development of acrochordon at tissue receptor level, and could be mediated by IGF–1.

Reference:

Köseoğlu, H.G., Bozca, B.C., Başsorgun, C.İ. et al. The role of insulin-like growth factor in Acrochordon Etiopathology. BMC Dermatol 20, 14 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12895-020-00111-0