Increase in total blood antioxidant status and selenium levels in black patients with active vitiligo.
BACKGROUND
Oxidative stress could be an important phenomenon leading to melanocyte death in vitiligo. The accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and low catalase levels have recently been demonstrated in the epidermis of vitiligo patients. Few abnormalities of antioxidants have been found in the blood of patients with vitiligo, except for an elevation of selenium. No studies on oxidative stress have been performed so far on patients with skin phototype VI (Fitzpatrick classification).


OBJECTIVE
To study the blood antioxidant status of black patients with active generalized vitiligo.


METHODS
Randox total antioxidant status, selenium, ferritin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, tocopherol, and retinol levels were evaluated in blood samples obtained from 11 dark-skinned patients from the French West Indies (Isle of Martinique) with recent active lesions of vitiligo and from 11 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers.


RESULTS
Total blood antioxidant status and selenium levels were significantly increased in vitiligo patients, compared to those in sex- and age-matched controls (P < 0.01 and P < 0.02, respectively). Blood levels of ferritin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, retinol, and tocopherol were not significantly modified.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report on the global blood antioxidant status in vitiligo. The increase in total blood antioxidant status observed in black patients was an unexpected result that needs to be confirmed and explained by further studies. The spontaneous increase in selenium levels could be of interest, as it has been recommended in the treatment of vitiligo.
Boisseau-Garsaud
Anne-Marie
AM
Service de Dermatologie and Département de Santé Publique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Fort de France, Martinique, French West Indies. garsaud@sasi.fr
Garsaud
Philippe
P
Lejoly-Boisseau
Hélène
H
Robert
Michel
M
Quist
Danielle
D
Arveiler
Benoît
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000235:genetics; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*
D000975:Antioxidants; D012643:Selenium