Abstract

Background: Restricted depigmented macules that lack melanocytes signify vitiligo. Complicated genetic, immunological, neural, and self-destructive mechanisms are involved in its pathogenesis. It has been proposed that oxidative stress is the primary pathogenic event according to autocytotoxic hypothesis.

Objective: To study the antioxidant defenses in patients of generalized vitiligo.

Materials and Methods: A total of 120 subjects were enrolled for the study; of which sixty were patients with generalized vitiligo and sixty were age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All the subjects were evaluated for the lipid profile and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).

Result: The low-density lipoprotein(LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein(VLDL) cholesterol levels were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) in vitiligo patients. The activities of CAT and GPx were significantly higher (p < 0.001), whereas there was no significant difference observed in SOD activity in vitiligo patients.

Conclusion: There are depleted activities of the antioxidant enzymes CAT and GPx in generalized vitiligo, suggesting a high oxidative stress. Thus, a proper antioxidant therapy should be incorporated as an adjuvant in the management of vitiligo.

Key words: Vitiligo, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, lipid profile