Erythrocyte Malondialdehyde and Glutathione Levels in Vitiligo Patients

Abstract

Background:Vitiligo is an acquired and progressive hypomelanotic disease that manifests as circumscribed depigmented patches on the skin. Although the precise mechanism remains to be elucidated, an imbalance of the oxidant/antioxidant system has been proposed as an important etiologic mechanism. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant status of vitiligo patients at the erythrocyte level. Methods: Fifty-three vitiligo patients and 65 phototype-, age-, and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Blood samples were collected from all subjects, and all patients were instructed to answer a questionnaire. Results: Erythrocyte levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were measured. All patients were told to answer a questionnaire regarding their habitual behavior, including frequency of smoking and type of diet. We observed significantly lower levels of GSH in vitiligo patients, but the levels of MDA did not differ between patients and controls. Vitiligo patients who smoked showed significantly lower GSH levels compared to non-smoking patients, but the levels of MDA were unchanged between the 2 groups. Conclusion: From our results, we conclude that reduced erythrocytic or systemic GSH levels constitute a distinctive feature in vitiligo patients regardless of disease activity.

Meta-analysis of the association between vitiligo and the level of superoxide dismutase or malondialdehyde

“…Erythrocytes are considered to be a more accurate eflection of oxidative or antioxidative status than plasma or serum, as the erythrocyte is prone to oxidative reactions. 16 Our subgroup analysis in erythrocytes showed a significant association between higher SOD level and vitiligo, which agreed with the result from the analysis stratified by stage. No association was seen between vitiligo and erythrocyte MDA level, which did not concur with the results from the overall meta-analysis and all other subgroup analyses; however, only two studies were included in this subgroup analysis, which may have led to the unreliable results.…”

“…Decreased SOD activity could be responsible for the increase of superoxide radicals, which may in turn explain the increased level of MDA. Erythrocytes are considered to be a more accurate eflection of oxidative or antioxidative status than plasma or serum, as the erythrocyte is prone to oxidative reactions . Our subgroup analysis in erythrocytes showed a significant association between higher SOD level and vitiligo, which agreed with the result from the analysis stratified by stage.…”

“…Our subgroup analysis in erythrocytes showed a significant association between higher SOD level and vitiligo, which agreed with the result from the analysis stratified by stage. No association was seen between vitiligo and erythrocyte MDA level, which did not concur with the results from the overall meta‐analysis and all other subgroup analyses; however, only two studies were included in this subgroup analysis, which may have led to the unreliable results . The acquisition of tissue samples of patients with vitiligo is not easy.…”

“…The literature search identified a total of 350 primary articles (191 on SOD and 159 on MDA). After preliminary screening and further reviewing, any studies that did not meet the eligibility criteria were excluded, which produced a final total of 32 articles (16 each for SOD and MDA) for meta‐analysis, of which 10 articles involved both SOD and MDA levels. A flow diagram of the study selection process is presented in Fig.…”

Critical appraisal of the oxidative stress pathway in vitiligo: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Markers of lipid peroxidation are therefore considered as good measures of oxidative stress . Seventeen different studies including 745 patients clearly demonstrate increased MDA concentrations in patients with vitiligo . Five additional studies (2119 patients) confirmed increased lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes of patients with vitiligo …”