Oxidative stress in the blood of patients with active localized vitiligo.
OBJECTIVE
Vitiligo is an acquired skin disease characterized by white areas on the skin. The pathogenesis of the disease is still unclear. Some findings show that oxidative stress could be an important phenomenon in the pathophysiology of vitiligo.


METHODS
We evaluated 16 consecutive localized vitiligo patients and 16 healthy controls of a similar age and sex distribution. We measured their indicators of oxidative stress such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in erythrocytes, and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) by spectrophotometry.


RESULTS
SOD activities and MDA levels of patients were significantly higher than controls (p < 0.001). CAT and G6PD activities of patients were significantly lower than controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results confirmed that oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Melanocyte damage in vitiligo might be linked to generalized oxidative stress. This study is the first report on some antioxidant parameters of localized-type vitiligo patients.
Arican
Ozer
O
Department of Dermatology, Trakya University, Medical Faculty, Sükrüpasa Mh. Caglarim Sitesi B3 Blok K:5 D:11, TR-22000 Edirne, Turkey. ozerari@gmail.com
Kurutas
Ergül Belge
EB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology
D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase