Oxidative stress and interleukin-1 beta in serum and skin lesions of patients with generalized vitligo

Abstract EN

The etiology of vitiligo is unknown.

Increased oxidant stress may explain melanocyte dysfunction and destruction.

Increases in pro-oxidants as well as decreases in anti-oxidant agents have been reported in patients with vitiligo.

In this study we investigated the role of oxidative stress by determining the levels of the free radical nitric oxide(NO) and the antioxidant systems : superoxide dismutase(SOD), and L-ascorbic acid in addition to interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in both serum and tissue of lesion skin in patients with generalized vitiligo.

Levels of NO and IL-1β were significantly higher in the serum and tissue of lesion skin of patient with generalized vitiligo compared to the control group.

While L-ascorbic acid and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly reduced in patients compared to controls.

Extent of vitiligo showed a significant positive correlation with tissue levels of IL-1 β.

Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of generalized vitiligo with increased production of NO and decreased SOD activity and ascorbic acid levels.

IL-1β could have a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo possibly through the induction of NO production.