title: Expression of iNOS and NF-κB in melasma: an immunohistochemical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the pathogenesis of melasma through their immunohistochemical (IHC) co-localization in skin of melasma and to correlate their expression with the clinical and the histopathological data.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective case-control study was conducted on 34 female patients with melasma and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects as a control group for evaluation of IHC expression of iNOS and NF-κB in melasma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences between lesional and perilesional skin regarding iNOS intensity, iNOS histo-score (H-score), NF-κB intensity, and NF-κB H-score (p < 0.001 for all). There were significant associations between the higher values of H-scores for both iNOS and NF-κB and positive family history (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively) and very severe melasma areas and severity index score (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between H-score values of both iNOS and NF-κB (r = +0.604 and p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IHC co-localization and direct correlation of both iNOS and NF-κB in melasma could provide evidence about their role as co-players in melanogenesis and might provide new targets for a more efficient treatment for melasma.
authors: Rehab Monir
authors: RM
authors: Samaka
authors: Ola Ahmed
authors: OA
authors: Bakry
authors: Mohamed Abd El Monaem
authors: MA
authors: Shoeib
authors: Marwa M
authors: MM
authors: Zaaza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008548:Melanosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II