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- Original article -
The Role of Oxidants and Antioxidants in Generalized Vitiligo
Mehmet Yildirim, Vahide Baysal, H. Serhat Inaloz*, Demet Kesici and Namik Delibas**
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine University of Suleyman Demirel, Isparta, Turkey.
**Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine University of Suleyman Demirel, Isparta, Turkey.
*Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Oxidative stress may be induced by increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other free radicals. The generation of ROS is known to be associated with a decrease in antioxidant levels. In the present study, the role of oxidative stress was assessed in the pathogenesis of generalized vitiligo. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH) levels in erythrocytes and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were investigated in 24 patients with generalized vitiligo and 20 healthy controls. Our results indicated that significantly increased levels of erythrocyte SOD, serum MDA, and NO were associated with a marked reduction of erythrocyte GSH-Px and GSH activities in patients with generalized vitiligo (p<0.05). Our observations suggest that the presence of an imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system might play a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Our results further support the concept that free radical-mediated damage may be the initial pathogenic event in melanocyte degeneration in generalized vitiligo.
key words: antioxidant; oxidant; vitiligo
Received June 19, 2002; Accepted for publication November 27, 2002
Reprint requests to: Dr. H. Serhat Inaloz, Department of Dermatology, Gaziantep University Medical Faculty, Tip Fakultesi Dekanligi, Kilis Yolu Uzeri, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey.
J Dermatol 30 (2): 104-108, 2003
Japanese Dermatological Association
http://www.dermatol.or.jp
