Increased micronucleus frequency in phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated blood cells of patients with vitiligo.
BACKGROUND
Vitiligo is a relatively common, acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by areas of depigmented skin resulting from loss of melanocytes in the epidermis. Although several hypotheses have been proposed for the aetiology and pathogenesis of vitiligo, the cause of vitiligo remains unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate spontaneous micronucleus (MN) frequency using the cytokinesis block MN assay to determine damages at the DNA or chromosome level in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated blood cells of patients with vitiligo and healthy control subjects.


METHODS
Peripheral blood samples were obtained and cultured from 21 patients with vitiligo (mean age: 21.48 +/- 9.78 years) and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (mean age: 21.52 +/- 9.80 years). MN values were scored in binucleated cells obtained from whole-blood cultures of patients and control subjects.


RESULTS
MN frequencies (mean +/- SD) in PHA-stimulated blood cells of patients with vitiligo and control subjects were 0.94 +/- 0.58 and 0.58 +/- 0.32, respectively. Compared with control subjects, MN frequencies of patients with vitiligo were found significantly higher than those of the control subjects (P = 0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate unexpectedly some chromosomal/DNA damage in whole-blood cultures of patients with vitiligo. We do not know, however, if these chromosome/DNA instabilities observed in the cells of vitiligo patients resulted from the cause or from the consequences of the disorder.
Donmez-Altuntas
H
H
Department of Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. donmezh@erciyes.edu.tr
Sut
Z
Z
Ferahbas
A
A
Hamurcu
Z
Z
Demirtas
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008934:Mitogens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*
D008934:Mitogens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins