A comparative study of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and nitrate levels in vitiligo patients

BACKGROUND: Several groups have shown the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of vitiligo. METHODS: In this study, we examined the erythrocyte and plasma activities of glutathione peroxidase and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, plasma nitrite/nitrate levels, and erythrocyte catalase activity in 23 vitiligo patients and 25 controls. RESULTS: The results show that erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity and plasma nitrite/nitrate levels are high in vitiligo patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of vitiligo, as indicated by the high levels of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity and plasma nitrite/nitrate.