Biomarker of Oxidative Stress in Premature Hair Graying at Young Age

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gray hair is a physiological process of aging that occurs in everyone. Premature hair graying (PHG) is the term when early hair gray at an unusual age. The causes of PHG are multifactorial, genetic, nutritional, and environmental, including oxidative stress. Free radicals caused interference with cellular responses that cause direct damage to various proteins and DNA in the long term. The body’s defense mechanisms likely antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was activated against free radicals. AIM: We aimed to evaluate markers of oxidative stress and associated with severe graying at young age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited consecutive 40 respondents with PHG and healthy controls, male sex and aged <25 years. The severe graying was graded with total of gray hair. The serum samples were collected to detect oxidative stress markers through malondialdehyde (MDA), SOD, catalase, and GPx measurement with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Serum MDA concentration was higher but not significantly (p > 0.05), while serum SOD, catalase, and GPx level, indicators of antioxidant were significantly lower (p < 0.001, p = 0.017 and p < 0.001, respectively) in PHG compared to controls. The correlation between oxidative stress and graying severity was not significant (p > 0.05), but the association between onset and severity of graying was significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Respondents with PHG had increased of pro-oxidants and decreased of antioxidants compared than controls. The severity of graying is equivalent to the level of oxidative stress. The supplement of antioxidants is likely recommended in PHG.