Oxidant-antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in generalized vitiligo

Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder of the skin with selective destruction of melanocytes. The pathogenetic mechanisms in vitiligo have not been completely clarified. The aim of our investigation was to evaluate the oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of generalized vitiligo. Twenty-seven patients with generalized vitiligo and 24 phototype-, age-, and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study. We analysed serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and serum activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) in the patients with vitiligo and in the controls. We found significantly higher levels of MDA and XO activity (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively), and a significantly lower level of serum SOD activity (P < 0.05) in patients with vitiligo compared with the controls. However, the increase in the level of serum NO was insignificant (P > 0.05). These results suggest that lipid peroxidation of cellular membrane of melanocytes by free radicals may have a significant role in the pathogenesis of generalized vitiligo.     

白癜风患者血浆中氧化与抗氧化相关指标的检测

目的通过对白癜风患者及健康对照者血浆中氧化与抗氧化相关指标——超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、丙二醛(MDA)、维生素E(VitE)及一氧化氮(NO)表达水平的测定,探讨氧化应激在白癜风发病机制及疾病发展中的作用和意义。方法选择60例白癜风患者(患者组)和40名健康志愿者(健康对照组)为研究对象,化学法检测血浆中SOD,CAT,GSH-Px的活性及MDA,VE和NO的含量。结果患者组血浆中MDA含量及SOD活性明显高于健康对照组(P<0.01),而GSH-Px活性明显低于健康对照组(P<0.01);进展期白癜风患者血浆中MDA的含量及SOD的活性明显高于稳定期白癜风组(P<0.01),而GSH-Px活性明显低于稳定期白癜风患者(P<0.01);随MDA含量增加,GSH-Px活性逐渐降低,呈显著负相关关系(r=-0.337,P<0.01),而SOD活性逐渐升高,呈显著正相关关系(r=0.347,P<0.01);而在进展期和稳定期白癜风患者血浆中CAT,VE和NO的含量与健康对照组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论白癜风患者血浆中存在氧化-抗氧化失衡,白癜风的发病及病情活动与氧化应激可能相关。     

The role of oxidants and antioxidants in generalized vitiligo

Oxidative stress may be induced by increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other free radicals. The generation of ROS is known to be associated with a decrease in antioxidant levels. In the present study, the role of oxidative stress was assessed in the pathogenesis of generalized vitiligo. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH) levels in erythrocytes and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were investigated in 24 patients with generalized vitiligo and 20 healthy controls. Our results indicated that significantly increased levels of erythrocyte SOD, serum MDA, and NO were associated with a marked reduction of erythrocyte GSH-Px and GSH activities in patients with generalized vitiligo (p<0.05). Our observations suggest that the presence of an imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system might play a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Our results further support the concept that free radical-mediated damage may be the initial pathogenic event in melanocyte degeneration in generalized vitiligo.     

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in lichen planus

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory skin disease of unknown aetiology. Recently, increased oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris and vitiligo. AIM: To evaluate the status of the oxidative stress and antioxidant defence system in patients with LP. METHODS: In total, 40 patients with LP (23 men, 17 women; mean +/- SD age 43.27 +/- 1.96 years) and 40 control subjects, matched for age and gender, were enrolled in this prospective study. The exclusion criteria included medication with immunosuppressive agents, history of trauma and surgery, and history of alcohol ingestion for at least 1 month prior to the study. The serum nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and the erythrocyte catalase (CAT) levels were investigated in both groups. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD levels of serum NO (74.60 +/- 17.96 micromol/L) and MDA (18.24 +/- 5.21 micromol/L) in patients with LP were higher than those of the control group (P = 0.007 and P = 0.031, respectively). Serum SOD levels (18.19 +/- 3.71 U/mL) in patients with LP were also higher than in healthy controls (P = 0.002). In contrast, erythrocyte CAT levels (13 557.80 +/- 4134.42 U/kg haemoglobin) were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that increased oxidative stress, increased lipid peroxidation and an imbalance in the antioxidant defence system may be involved in the pathogenesis of LP.     

OXIDATIVE STRESS IN EXPERIMENTAL VITILIGO C57BL/6 MICE

Aim:

To evaluate whether oxidative stress is implicated in melanocyte damage in vitiligo.

Background:

Vitiligo is a complex disorder characterized by gradually enlarging areas of depigmentation. A new unifying hypothesis for the etiology of this pigment disorder is proposed, in which we postulate that the final destruction of melanocytes in vitiligo results from a cascade of reactions initiated by a disregulation of melanogenesis, as the result of a breakdown in free radical defense.

Methods:

We evaluated 18 vitiligo mice and 12 controls that were age matched. Parameters of oxidative stress such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by spectrophotometry.

Results:

MDA levels in vitiligo mice were significantly higher than in controls (P < 0.001). CAT, SOD, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in mice were significantly lower than controls (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion:

Our results confirmed that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Melanocyte damage in vitiligo might be linked to generalized oxidative stress. This study is the first report on antioxidant parameters in experimental vitiligo mice.     

Evaluation of nitrosative and oxidative stress in Behçet disease

Plasma nitrotyrosine and nitrite/nitrate levels as markers of nitrosative stress and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl as markers of oxidative stress were determined in patients with Behcet disease (BD). To evaluate the balance between oxidant and antioxidant systems in these patients, we measured erythrocyte lysate CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD) activity, plasma sulfhydryl (SH) values and total antioxidant activity. We also determined levels of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), a key marker of inflammation, and compared them with those of healthy subjects. We found plasma nitrotyrosine levels of BD patients to be increased, indicating that nitrosative stress may occur in these patients. Plasma MDA and CRP levels in BD patients were found to be significantly higher than those in control group. However, plasma SH levels were decreased. No changes were observed in the other measured parameters of the patient group compared with the controls. These data suggest the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) together with reactive oxygen substances (ROS) in the pathogenesis of BD.     

Role of cellular oxidative stress and cytochrome c in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

Oxidative-free radicals and apoptosis have linked to chronic skin diseases. Higher levels of oxidative radicals and the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c may have a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. We investigated the possible role of cellular oxidative stress and release of cytochrome c of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Disease severity was assessed by psoriasis area severity index score (PASI) of 55 psoriasis patients, they grouped as mild (11), moderate (20) and severe (24), also 20 healthy individuals used as controls. All groups were subjected for serum malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO·), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant status (TAS) and serum cytochrome c concentrations. We found that, (1) Severity wise increase in MDA and NO·, and decrease in SOD, CAT and TAS levels in all patients with different degrees of psoriasis; (2) PASI showed positive correlation with the increase in MDA and NO·, and negatively with decreased SOD, CAT and TAS levels; (3) significant increase in cytochrome c level was observed among psoriasis patients which showed negative correlation to MDA and NO· levels in mild and positively with moderate and severe groups. The release of mitochondrial cytochrome c indicates the induction of apoptosis mediated via oxidative stress which ultimately plays role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.     

Lipid peroxidation/antioxidant activity in patients with alopecia areata

Background Aetiopathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) is not fully understood and many factors have been assumed. Oxidant/antioxidant disequilibrium has been proposed with controversies between results. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine lipid peroxidation/antioxidant activity in patients with AA and to determine its clinical significance. Methods Fifty non‐obese patients with AA and 50 age‐, gender‐ and body mass index‐matched controls (25 patients with severe grade acne vulgaris representative of an oxidative stress condition and 25 healthy volunteers), were included. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), indicator of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), were spectrophotometrically measured in blood from all subjects and in scalp tissues from 10 patients with AA. Results No significant differences in MDA levels and SOD activity existed between patients with AA and those with acne. However, significantly higher MDA levels and lower SOD activity were found in patients with AA compared with healthy controls. Within patients with AA, lipid peroxidation/antioxidant parameters showed significant differences with disease duration, pattern and extent of lesions. Significant positive correlations also existed between tissue and blood SOD activity and between tissue and blood MDA levels of the 10 studied patients with AA. Conclusions Increased lipid peroxidation and defective SOD activity exist in patients with AA. Addition of drugs with antioxidative effects seems to be valuable in treatment.     

A comparative study of oxidant–antioxidant status in stable and active vitiligo patients

The pathogenetic mechanisms in vitiligo have not been completely clarified. One of the major hypotheses in the pathogenesis of vitiligo is the oxidative stress hypothesis. The active or stable phase of vitiligo is defined on the basis of the progression or appearance of new lesions in the last 3 months and the absence of new lesions or their progression in the last 6 months, respectively. Eighteen patients with active vitiligo, 18 patients with stable vitiligo, and 40 controls were included in this study. We examined serum levels of malondialdehyde, selenium, vitamin E and A, and the erythrocyte activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Our results revealed a significantly higher level of serum malondialdehyde, selenium in patients with active disease compared with the controls. Significant higher increase in erythrocytes superoxide dismutase activities was observed in active vitiligo group, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity was decreased significantly in active disease, whereas erythrocyte catalase activity and plasma vitamin E and A levels were not different in vitiligo patients as compared with controls. Our study shows that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of both active and stable vitiligo but increased imbalance of antioxidants was observed in the blood of active vitiligo patients.I dedicate this article to our dear director (Mme Hentati Basma) who dead in 06/06/06. We will never forget you and you are always in our heart.     

Anti-oxidant defence mechanism in vitiliginous skin increases with skin type

Background Vitiligo skin shows different burning capacity in people with different phototype. In normal skin antioxidant status is correlated to skin phototype, but unexpectedly it appears that there is a gradual decrease in burning susceptibility of depigmented skin of individuals with increasing phototype (II→VI). Objective To assess if the antioxidant response in the lesional vitiligo skin is involved in those protection mechanisms. Moreover, a possible correlation between cutaneous and systemic endogenous antioxidants in vitiligo patients has been investigated. Methods We enrolled in the study 29 patients with active vitiligo, divided into five groups according to skin type (II to VI). We analysed reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG, respectively), ubiquinone (CoQ10), catalase (Cat), superoxide dismutases (Cu/Zn‐SOD and Mn‐SOD), GSH peroxidase (GSH‐Px), as indexes of chemical and enzymatic antioxidants, in suction blister roofs as well as in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs). Results The vitiligo patients showed an imbalance of antioxidant network, both in depigmented skin and PBMNCs. Interestingly, in vitiligo skin a phototype‐related increase of antioxidant enzyme activities (Cat, Mn‐SOD and GPx) and GSH amount have been observed. Similarly in PMBNCs Cat and total SOD activities, as well as GSH content progressively increased from skin type II to skin type VI. Endogenous antioxidants in vitiligo skin are correlated to those in PBMNCs, suggesting that systemic and epidermal antioxidant network functionalities are connected. Conclusions The correlation between antioxidant levels and clinical phototype confirmed the hypothesis that other factors than melanin determine largely the minimal erythema dose values in vitiligo lesional skin.     

Oxidative stress in acne vulgaris

Background Acne vulgaris is one of the common dermatological diseases and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of oxidative stress in acne vulgaris. Materials and methods The study involved 32 patients with acne vulgaris in the patient group and 34 healthy adults in the control group. The parameters of oxidative stress such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XO), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the venous blood of patients were measured spectrophotometrically. The values were compared with those of the control group. Results The serum levels of MDA and XO activity in the patients with acne vulgaris were significantly higher than those of the controls. A significantly lower SOD and CAT activity was found in the patient group than in the control group. Although the patient group had higher serum levels of NO than the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion These results suggest that oxidative damage may play a role in the pathogenesis of acne; therefore, significant alterations may occur in the antioxidant defence system.     

Increase in total blood antioxidant status and selenium levels in black patients with active vitiligo

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress could be an important phenomenon leading to melanocyte death in vitiligo. The accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and low catalase levels have recently been demonstrated in the epidermis of vitiligo patients. Few abnormalities of antioxidants have been found in the blood of patients with vitiligo, except for an elevation of selenium. No studies on oxidative stress have been performed so far on patients with skin phototype VI (Fitzpatrick classification). AIM: To study the blood antioxidant status of black patients with active generalized vitiligo. METHODS: Randox total antioxidant status, selenium, ferritin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, tocopherol, and retinol levels were evaluated in blood samples obtained from 11 dark-skinned patients from the French West Indies (Isle of Martinique) with recent active lesions of vitiligo and from 11 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Total blood antioxidant status and selenium levels were significantly increased in vitiligo patients, compared to those in sex- and age-matched controls (P < 0.01 and P < 0.02, respectively). Blood levels of ferritin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, retinol, and tocopherol were not significantly modified. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the global blood antioxidant status in vitiligo. The increase in total blood antioxidant status observed in black patients was an unexpected result that needs to be confirmed and explained by further studies. The spontaneous increase in selenium levels could be of interest, as it has been recommended in the treatment of vitiligo.     

Status of oxidative stress on lesional skin surface of plantar warts

Background Warts are abnormal skin growths caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infections within the skin of the patients. Sometimes the disease is difficult to treatment, and also, the relationship between HPV and some forms of skin cancers is important. The cutaneous oxidative stress status of warts is absent in the literature. Objectives To evaluate the role of oxidative stress in affected skin areas in a group of patients with plantar warts. Methods Thirty‐six consecutive patients with a diagnosis of plantar warts were enrolled. The samples were obtained by scraping the skin surface. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured spectrophotometrically at samples. Results The SOD activity was significantly lower, and the MDA level was significantly higher on the lesional area than on the non‐lesional area (P < 0.001 for each), and there was no significant difference in the CAT activity between both areas (P = 0.11). Conclusion Cutaneous oxidative stress in patients with plantar warts may play a role in pathogenesis of the disease. The addition of topical drugs with antioxidative effects may be valuable in the treatment of warts.     

Nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence system in patients with active or inactive Behçet's disease

Background One of the prominent features of Behçet's disease (BD) is vasculitis and thrombosis as a result of endothelial dysfunction. Nitric oxide (NO) is responsible for endothelial vasorelaxation and inhibition of platelet adhesion. Objectives To assess serum total NO, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with BD and to correlate their levels with disease activity. Methods The study group consisted of 49 patients with BD and 26 healthy control subjects. None of the subjects was given a standardized diet. Patients with any systemic disease were excluded. Patients with BD were randomized to two groups according to their disease activity (active/inactive, 26/23). We measured serum total NO levels using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method, and SOD, GSH‐Px, TAS and MDA levels by spectrophotometric methods. Results In patients with active disease (n = 26), serum total NO levels were found to be significantly decreased when compared with the inactive (n = 23) and control (n = 26) groups. Levels were also significantly lower in patients with inactive disease and in total BD patients (n = 49) than in the controls. GSH‐Px activities and TAS levels were significantly lower in total BD patients than those in the controls. Patients with active disease and total BD patients exhibited markedly higher MDA levels than the control subjects. MDA levels in the patients with active disease were also found to be elevated compared with the patients with inactive disease. Conclusions We conclude that changes in parameters associated with oxidative stress such as NO‐related processes, activities of antioxidant enzymes in the bloodstream and erythrocytes and total plasma antioxidant capacity are involved in the aetiopathogenesis of the vasculitis seen in BD.     

Erythrocyte Malondialdehyde and Glutathione Levels in Vitiligo Patients

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.     

Relationship between smoking‐induced oxidative stress and the clinical severity of psoriasis

Background Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease, known as an oxidative stress condition. Smoking augments the risk of development of psoriasis. Although the relative importance of potential mechanisms of smoking‐induced psoriasis is unknown, direct delivery of oxidants has been implicated in the pathogenesis of smoking‐induced psoriasis. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the smoking‐induced oxidative stress in psoriatic patients and its correlation with the severity of the disease. Methods The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in 25 psoriatic patients (10 smokers, 10 non‐smokers and 5 ex‐smokers) and 20 healthy control subjects (10 smokers and 10 non‐smokers). Clinical severity of psoriasis was determined according to the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score. Results Our results showed a significant increase in serum MDA and decrease in the blood SOD levels in psoriatic patients compared with those in control subjects and those in smokers compared with those in non‐smokers. The concentrations of MDA and SOD were significantly correlated with PASI score. There was a significant increase in PASI score in smoker patients compared with that in non‐smokers and it increased with increasing the pack‐years of smoking. Conclusions Our results indicate that smoking‐induced oxidative damage resulting from increased reactive oxygen species production along with insufficient capacity of antioxidant mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.     

The role of oxidants and antioxidants in psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by well-demarcated erythema and scaly plaques. The pathogenesis of psoriasis still remains unclear. An increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insufficient antioxidant activity have been determined in psoriatic lesions. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate and compare superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GP) activity in erythrocytes, catalase (CAT) activityand malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum of subjects with psoriasis and controls as well as MDA levels in skin biopsies from both groups. STUDY POPULATION: Twenty-two psoriatic patients (12 women and ten men) and 22 (12 women and ten men) healthy controls were involved in this study. FINDINGS: Statistically significant decreased levels of erythrocyte SOD and GP activities were noted in psoriatic subjects. Furthermore, a statistically significant increased serum CAT activity was found in the psoriasis group. No statistically significant difference was found in the serum MDA levels in the two groups, however, statistically significant increased tissue levels of MDA were noted in the psoriasis group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis of an imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system in psoriasis.     

Tissue and blood superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehyde levels in different clinical severities of acne vulgaris

Background Acne vulgaris is one of the commonest dermatological diseases and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. Objectives To determine the role of oxidative stress in acne vulgaris and to determine a possible link with the clinical severity. Methods Twenty‐three patients with different grades of acne vulgaris and 23 age‐ and sex‐matched controls were enrolled. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured spectrophotometrically at tissue and blood levels. Results There were no significant differences in SOD activities and MDA levels between patients and controls. However, significant differences were found in patients with severe acne in comparison with those with mild and moderate acne. Moreover, comparison between different patient subgroups and controls revealed statistically significantly higher SOD activities in patients with mild acne in comparison with patients with moderate and severe acne, and with controls. Furthermore, severe acne showed statistically significantly lower SOD activities and higher MDA levels when compared with other patient subgroups and controls. Conclusions Oxidative stress exists in patients with acne vulgaris and may play a role in aetiopathogenesis and/or progression of the disease. The addition of drugs with antioxidative effects seems to be valuable in the treatment of acne vulgaris.     

The role of transforming growth factor‐β1 and oxidative stress in podoconiosis pathogenesis

Background Podoconiosis (endemic nonfilarial elephantiasis) occurs in susceptible individuals who go barefoot in regions of irritant volcanic soil. Silicate particles absorbed via the skin are thought to induce an inflammatory process and a consequent endolymphangitis of the lower leg lymphatics. Objectives To establish which oxidative stress biomarkers play a part in the inflammatory process, and to test whether transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 also has a pathogenetic role. Patients and methods We enrolled 50 patients with early clinical stage disease, 43 patients with advanced stage disease and 35 local healthy controls. Oxidative stress biomarkers included serum total peroxides (TP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total nitrate plus nitrite (TN), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was also determined. Serum total TGF‐β1 was assayed using sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results Compared with healthy controls, patients with early stage disease showed significantly higher mean levels of TP (P < 0·001), MDA (P < 0·05) and OSI (P < 0·01); and significantly lower mean concentrations of SOD (P < 0·001) and TGF‐β1 (P < 0·001). Mean levels of TGF‐β1 were even lower among patients with advanced stage disease (P < 0·001). Mean TAC levels were significantly lower among patients with advanced disease than either other group (P < 0·001). Conclusions This is the first study, to our knowledge, to attempt to elucidate the molecular pathogenetic events in podoconiosis. We conclude that TGF‐β1 may have a pathogenetic role, with oxidative stress playing a minor role in the early stages of disease.     

Biomarkers of oxidative stress in epidermis of Tunisian pemphigus foliaceus patients

Background Reactive oxygen species play a key role in the development of many dermatological disorders. Objective The purpose of this study is to examine the lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidative profile in Tunisian pemphigus foliaceus (PF) patients. Methods Malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes (CD), protein thiol levels, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were evaluated in skin biopsies of 13 patients compared to biopsies of 7 healthy controls. Results Oxidative stress was confirmed in these three types of patient biopsies as compared to controls. Thus, MDA, CD levels and catalase CAT and SOD activities were significantly increased in lesional, perilesional and normal biopsies of PF patients than in those of control subjects. Protein oxidative was confirmed by lower levels of protein thiols in lesional, perilesional and normal biopsies than in control’s biopsies. Otherwise, in patients, a significant rise of these biomarkers was observed in lesional and perilesional biopsies compared with normal biopsies. Conclusion This study shows that oxidative stress could be involved in the pathogenesis of PF by the spread of skin lesions and/or by the increase in auto‐antibodies’ reactivity.