OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ANTIOXIDANTS IN PATIENTS OF VITILIGO

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic, common disease of still unknown etiology characterized by circumscribed ivory or chalky white macules of different size and shape. The pathogenesis of vitiligo is complex and still not well understood. According to autocytotoxic hypothesis, oxidative stress has been suggested to be the initial pathogenic event in melanocyte degeneration.
Objective: The present study was conducted with an objective to evaluate the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
Materials and Methods: A total of sixty (60) subjects (age group 14-50 years) of both sexes were enrolled in this study. Of 60, 30 were clinically diagnosed cases of vitiligo of all types and remaining 30 were normal healthy controls. The indicator of oxidative stress was determined by measuring serum level of MDA. The role of antioxidant was determined by measuring serum levels of SOD and Vitamin C.
Results: The mean serum level of MDA was significantly increased in vitiligo patients compared to controls while the mean serum level of SOD was significantly decreased in patients of vitiligo than controls. Also, Vitamin C was decreased in vitiligo compared to controls but was insignificant.
Conclusion: The result of the present study demonstrates imbalance between oxidant-antioxidant system and support the associations between oxidative stress and free radical-mediated damage in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.