Table 1.

Mechanism of action of oral isotretinoin in different cell types

Type of cell	Isotretinoin effect (desired or adverse)
Sebocyte	↓ Sebum production; acne improvement
Neural crest cells	Teratogenicity
Hippocampus cells	Reduction of hippocampal neurogenesis: depression
Keratinocyte	Mucocutaneous adverse effects – cornification alteration
Hair follicle cells	Telogen effluvium
Miotic	CPK release
Hepatocyte	Release of transaminases
Intestinal epithelium	Inflammatory bowel disease
Meibomian cells	Dry eyes