ASSESSMENT OF OXIDATIVE STRESS DURING NARROW BAND UVB PHOTOTHERAPY IN VITILIGO PATIENTS OF NORTH INDIA

Abstract

Vitiligo is an acquired epidermal pigment loss which occurs anywhere in the body. The disease occurs worldwide with an estimated overall prevalence of less than 0.5%. The biological basis of vitiligo has been an intractable problem to confront. Among several therapies for the disease, narrow band UVB phototherapy is preferred modality and is effective. Recently, oxidative stress has been speculated to be the primary event in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The ability of free radicals to destroy melanocytes is considered as missing link. This study is aimed to assess the oxidative stress and antioxidant status in vitiligo patients with and without NB-UVB phototherapy for 4 weeks. 30 Vitiligo patients were recruited for study from OPD of Department of Dermatology, Era’s Lucknow Medical College & Hospital, Lucknow. Blood of all subjects was investigated for anti-oxidant parameters such as Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Lipid peroxides (LPO). Results indicated significant increase in the CAT and SOD activity in stable vitiligo patients after NB-UVB phototherapy as compared to its baseline activity. However, in active vitiligo patients, the increase in the CAT and SOD activity were found non-significant. GPx activity was found statistically non-significant in active vitiligo group after NB-UVB phototherapy compared to its baseline value, however in stable vitiligo patients the GPx activity was statistically significant. Following the NB-UVB phototherapy the LPO levels increased significantly in both active and stable vitiligo patients as compared to their baseline values.