Ischemia-Modified Albumin—A Potential New Marker of Oxidative Stress in Dermatological Diseases

Abstract

There is growing evidence that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous conditions, including dermatological diseases. Various markers are available to assess oxidative stress, but none of these can be considered the ideal marker. Recent studies have shown that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is not only an indicator of ischemia, but also a marker of oxidative stress. We have conducted a narrative review to evaluate the role of IMA in dermatological diseases. We have identified 24 original articles that evaluated IMA in skin disorders (psoriasis, acne vulgaris, hidradenitis suppurativa, urticaria, vitiligo and Behcet’s disease) and hair disorders (alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium). The results of the studies analyzed reveal that IMA may be considered a new marker of oxidative stress in dermatological diseases and offer new insights into the pathogenesis of these disorders and the theoretical basis for the development of new, effective, targeted therapies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review that gathers up data on the role of IMA in dermatological diseases.

Association of Ischemia-Modified Albumin (IMA) in Saliva, Serum, and Urine with Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Children: A Case-Control Study

“…In addition, IMA does not appear to be exclusively specific for kidney function. Oxidative stress/ischemia in other tissues and organs can also increase IMA concentration [ 51 , 52 ]. In addition, IMA concentration can be influenced by blood albumin levels.…”

Role of neurogenic inflammation in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata

“…Excessive ROS in the skin can activate transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), causing structural changes in cells, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and trigger apoptosis. 57 At the same time, ROS can affect autophagy and alter signaling pathways such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). 1 Nrf2 is expressed in HFs, which is a crucial factor in maintaining redox homeostasis.…”

Psoriasis: What Is New in Markers of Disease Severity?

“…The elevated IMA levels in psoriasis patients are likely attributable to the high levels of oxidative stress observed in this population. Regarding the association between serum IMA levels and the severity of the disease, the outcomes appear to be conflicting; however, some authors consider that IMA should be regarded as a marker of disease severity [53]. The study conducted by Isik et al suggests that patients with psoriasis who have elevated serum levels of IMA are at a higher risk of developing comorbidities [67].…”