Uric acid : A new antioxidant in patients with pemphigus vulgaris

Abstract

Background:Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation are seen in many dermatologic disorders, for example, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, acne vulgaris, pemphigus vulgaris (PV), lichen planus, and alopecia areata. ROS has an important role in the inflammation process. In PV, increased production of ROS leads to decline of antioxidants in plasma and red blood cells which results in oxidative stress. We aimed to evaluate the level of these antioxidants in PV patients and compare it to the controls.Materials and Methods:Among patients attending the dermatology clinics, 30 patients with PV, who had never been on treatment, were enrolled to the study. The control group consisted of 30 age- and sex-matched healthy non-smoker individuals. Venous blood was collected from the subjects for the evaluation of plasma levels of glutathione peroxidase, vitamin C, selenium, bilirubin, and uric acid.Results:Age mean and standard deviation of the patients (40.83, 12.74) was comparable to the controls (41.96, 13.08). Mean level of uric acid was significantly lower in PV patients compared to the controls (P = 0.006). Other antioxidants were not different between the two groups. Uric acid of the patients with mucosal involvement was significantly lower than patients with mucocutaneous involvement (P = 0.049).Limitations:The blood level of other antioxidants (e.g. malondialdehyde) was not evaluated.Conclusions:Uric acid as an antioxidant in our study had similar changes to previous studies in the field of other diseases but selenium, bilirubin, and glutathione peroxidase did not differ between patients and controls.

The ameliorative effect ofCetraria islandicaagainst diabetes-induced genetic and oxidative damage in human blood

“…For T1D is an important observation that this disease increases oxidative stress in tissues (Perez-Gutierrez & Damian-Guzman, 2012;Tan et al, 2007). Our results are in agreement with previous studies in which T1D increases plasma level of MDA, an important biological marker of lipid peroxidation (Bulum & Duvnjak, 2011;Yousefi et al, 2011). And it is suggested that the positive relationship between MDA and T1D is significant because disease leads to increased production of ROS and it may also involve lipid peroxidation (Országhová et al, 2009).…”

Uric acid and life on earth

“…skin and nervous system. This is shown in experimental models [11] and clinical association studies in several neurodegenerative disorders as Multiple Sclerosis [12], and skin diseases as pemphigus [13]. Animal models suggest additional protective effects in other organs, though clinical relevance remains unclear.…”

Serum selenium and skin diseases among Nigerians with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome

“…Low levels of selenium have been associated with about a 20-fold risk of opportunistic infections,7 increasing mycobacterium disease, poor quality of life,8 and a predictor of HIV associated mortality 7. In relation to skin diseases, selenium and other oxidant markers have been correlated with certain inflammatory skin diseases 9–11. Studies have also related pemphigus vulgaris to antioxidant status of patients,9 while low serum selenium and associated oxidative stress induction have been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis 10,11.…”

“…In relation to skin diseases, selenium and other oxidant markers have been correlated with certain inflammatory skin diseases 9–11. Studies have also related pemphigus vulgaris to antioxidant status of patients,9 while low serum selenium and associated oxidative stress induction have been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis 10,11. Low selenium status has been associated with up to a 4-fold increased risk of developing skin cancers including malignant melanoma and epidermotropic cutaneous T cell lymphomas 12,13.…”