title: Alterations of mitochondria in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of vitiligo patients.
abstract: The possible role for a defective mitochondrial functionality in the pathogenesis of vitiligo was investigated by measuring intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and of antioxidants, the activity of Krebs cycle enzymes, as well as the effects of inhibitors of the electron transport chain, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with active or stable disease vs. normal subjects. Plasma glyoxal levels were also determined in the same groups of subjects as an index of systemic oxidative stress. In patients with vitiligo in active phase, we observed an increased intracellular production of reactive oxygen species with a consequent imbalance of the prooxidant/antioxidant equilibrium, whereas plasma did not show apparent alterations in glyoxal levels, ruling out a systemic oxidative stress. In patients with stable disease, the balance between pro-oxidants and anti-oxidants seems to be maintained. Moreover, a marked increase in the expression of mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase activity and a specific sensitivity to electron transport chain complex I inhibitor were observed. Overall, these data provide further evidence for an altered mitochondrial functionality in vitiligo patients.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Fisiopatologia Cutanea, Istituto Dermatologico San Gallicano (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Lucia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dell'Anna
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Urbanelli
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mastrofrancesco
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Camera
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iacovelli
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manini
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Ischia
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Picardo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D006037:Glyoxal / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D009000:Monocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D012402:Rotenone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012402:Rotenone; D006037:Glyoxal