Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Vitiligo Patients

Abstract

Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder characterized by depigmented patches or macules caused
by the destruction of melanocytes. The pathogenetic mechanisms involved in vitiligo have not been completely
clarified. Oxidative stress and reduced circulating antioxidants could be important phenomena in the pathophysiology
of vitiligo. We measured serum malondialdehyde (MDA) as an indicator of oxidative stress and serum zinc and
vitamin C to check antioxidant status in thirty Vitiligo patients. Thirty healthy control subjects were also recruited by
matching the socio-demographic status to that of the patients. Blood samples were analyzed for determining the
serum levels of Zn (by atomic absorption spectroscopy), Vitamin C and MDA (by UV-VIS spectroscopy). Serum
level of MDA increased in vitiligo patients significantly (p < 0.05) in the present study, where as serum level of Zn
increased and serum Vit-C decreased in patients compared to control but the changes were not statistically significant
(p > 0.05). Our study reveals the presence of an imbalance in the oxidant/antioxidant system in vitiligo patients which
supports a free radical-mediated damage in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.